Job Summary:

Reporting to the VP of Owned & Operated Merchandising, this individual will lead a team of merchants responsible for developing the quarterly product brief, strategy, line architecture and assortment curation for our worldwide Disney Parks, The Disney Store & ShopDisney.com. Accountability will span a division of categories (hardlines, softlines or region specific) across all brands, representing the owned and operated portfolio globally. The Director will have a detailed understanding of the guest and demography to evaluate the assortment and react to in-season performance/trends and hindsight performance and learnings to inform future seasons. The Director demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the connection between financial strategies and related merchandise objectives. The Director drives the business by partnering and influencing across the various cross functional teams.

This role will be focused on the essential product strategies and initiatives that will equip TWDC in unlocking its next wave of short-term and long-term growth while delivering innovation, increased value and new businesses to the organization.

Responsibilities:

Areas of Strategic Oversight Include:

Lead divisional level creation of the O&O product brief, line architecture, assortment plan and cross-brand integration for global parks, TDS and shopDisney.com locations that delivers the best expression of our brands.

Lead the merchandising strategy and assortment curation for hardlines, softlines or region specific, enabling one global line for; Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disney Signature Experiences, The Disney Store, ShopDisney.com & International Parks/Disney store leveraging & integration.

Lead divisional team of merchandisers in the curation of one holistic O&O global product line that identifies commonality while ensuring needs of each regional/site commercial strategy

Lead divisional line curation that supports a segmented go-to-market approach from Flagship to Outlet globally

Lead in the development of divisional seasonal big bets globally

Build and curate a divisional consumer-centric, global assortments

Strategically build product assortment strategies that meet divisional profit thresholds while delivering the strongest price/value ratio to our customers and consumers

Define divisional seasonal product flow strategy that supports company content calendar including; film, TV, synergy, attractions, entertainment, anniversaries, historical needs, and addresses regional holiday/seasonal selling patterns

Develop and deliver cohesive seasonal product brief to Brand team that ensures O&O needs are addressed across brands, franchisees and divisional categories while maximizing item productivity, and capitalizing on key successes across multiple regions / sites

Analyze Global business performance and develop strategies and growth objectives that are aligned with Disney Store & Park needs. Use analytics in the formulation of the product brief

Develop effective partnerships across TWDC and in particular with the global brand merchant & regional buying teams for each region of Parks & Disney stores on points of exclusivity including assortment opportunities, launch timing, and target guests

Own and drive the divisional P&L

Lead Merchandising and Collaboration for Parks specific activations:

Drive the best expression of our brands through unique Park and Attraction based retailing. Build product strategies for division that are designed for a fully immersive space though well-executed activations that maximize capture within the attraction while building equity and desire for future interaction with products in our unique specialty retail environment

Lead divisional team to build category/collection/item level product brief that supports the immersive Parks-specific experiences

Partner with WDI and merchant teams for each brand to ensure the products we build continue to story tell and complete the experience for our valuable Parks guests

Attract and convert new consumers though the creation of product strategies designed for the Parks retail space globally. Leverage synergy between parks

Develop divisional/category level global merchandising strategic landscape ensuring quarterly / annual growth targets are achieved

Partner with Commercial and Marketing Leadership Teams on PR and influencer plans globally

Maximize buzz-worthiness by building strategies that drive a deep emotional connection with our guests

Partner with Commercial & CIMA to identify white space opportunities across the dimensions of demographic, brand for divisional categories.

Develop high performing teams and bench to support organizational growth needs

Lead a team of salaried leaders and their direct reports geographically dispersed.

Lead by example as a key change agent, create a culture that fosters teamwork, and innovation while driving accountability to results

Basic Qualifications:

10+ years of progressive experience in Product Merchandising, specialty retail & product assortment strategy

Experience in curating a global product line that is both globally leveraged and locally relevant

Experience in Merchandising for vertical specialty retail environment

Experience working with multiple commercial and marketing partners to bring product assortments to market

Experience managing a global team with direct reports, stakeholders and partners in other countries

Demonstrated ability to identify market trends and consumer zeitgeist to maximize value creation throughout the trend cycle

Demonstrated ability to manage revenue creation while maintaining brand integrity

Strong working knowledge of the omni-channel marketplace globally

Strategic thinker with the ability to drive execution against a financial plan

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence a diverse audience including experience working with external partners and business owners to bring product and assortments to the market

Successful experience working, and thriving, in a highly matrixed company structure

Robust leadership and talent development abilities and a collaborative and effective management style

Strong Team Player – The ability to build & foster collaborative partnerships across functions & departments within The Walt Disney Corporation

Proven ability to think creatively and disruptively to bring and infuse new ideas to the business

Experience in multiple segments, brands and channels within the global market

Demonstrated ability to lead the organizational and cultural change efforts needed to ensure new, innovative concepts, business practices, and technologies are fully adopted and integrated into the business

Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Merchandising, Business, Retail Management or related fields

Additional Information:

This job is located in Orlando, FL.

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at

https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

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