Senior Manager, Merchandising and Buying

Role Overview

• Drive the creation of quarterly product strategy, line architecture, assortment plans and cross category integration for Apparel and Accessories, ensuring immersive storytelling for the brands best expression
• Lead the team in developing regional product creation strategies and activations with vendors and licensees to drive product differentiation and frequency
• Create the merchandise strategy and assortment curation for Apparel and Accessories to deliver a comprehensive tiered assortment strategy for all channels: e-commerce, brick and mortar locations, and marketplace.
• Assess marketplace trends, competitive activity and demographic insights to inform product strategies
• Partner with Hardline counterpart in the development of seasonal 'big bets'
• Collaborate with O & O Merchandising and licensed partners to deliver a fresh co-branded landscape to drive brand excitement
• Deliver product assortment strategies that meet divisional thresholds and best price/value ratios to consumer
• Align divisional merchandising strategies with financial goals that optimize investments and maximize sell-through and productivity
• Foster collaboration with cross functional partners, planning, marketing, and site merchandising to deliver product execution as well unlock opportunity
• Lead and mentor Buying Manager, and other team members fostering high performing, accountable and inclusive culture
• Inspire innovation, creative thinking and operational excellence across the team
• Role-model company values and contribute to ongoing divisional process improvement

Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience in merchandising, buying, retail strategy, or product development.
• Demonstrated experience developing strategic assortments across multiple product categories.
• Experience in a matrixed organization with cross-functional leadership responsibilities.
• Experience managing direct reports.
• Strong financial acumen, including margin management, P&L awareness, business forecasting, and investment strategy.
• Ability to identify and activate against consumer and market trends.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of category strategies, assortment architecture, and product development processes.
• Interprets and applies operational and strategic business insights across multiple categories.
• Identifies and resolves complex operational, strategic, and category-specific challenges.
• Influence long-term category direction and cross-functional decision-making.
• Impacts mid-to-long term product, financial, and guest experience outcomes.
• Drives category profitability, operational efficiencies, and strategic growth.
• Influences other managers, senior partners, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Build strong internal and external partnerships with vendors, licensees, and regional teams.
• Ability to travel domestically as required and work fluctuating hours based on business needs.

Benefits

• health and savings benefits
• educational opportunities
• special extras that only Disney can provide