VP, Merchandising

Company Overview:

Party City is a global leader in the celebrations industry, delivering joy and inspiration to customers across more than 70 countries. As North America's largest party goods retailer, Party City is the go-to shopping destination for every type of celebration, offering an extensive and innovative selection of products at exceptional value.

With a strong omnichannel presence, Party City continues to grow its eCommerce business, PartyCity.com, while the company’s over 700 company-owned and franchise store locations across North America remain an integral piece of their business to allow consumers to experience their products first-hand. The company also operates Amscan, a premier designer manufacturer, and distributor of celebration products including décor, tableware, costumes, and accessories.

Headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., with additional locations in the Americas and Asia, Party City is committed to helping customers create unforgettable moments for every occasion.

Job Overview:

The VP of Merchandising is responsible for developing portfolio merchandising strategies to maximize profitability, drive sales, improve gross margins and inventory turns. The VP of Merchandising will lead a team of Sr. Directors, Category Managers and Associates, providing direction, support, and coaching. This role will lead the team in partnering with vendors and our core suppliers to ensure Party City is the unique and inspirational party and costume destination.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Own business and financial decisions across stores, ecom/marketplaces in collaboration with Marketing.
• Sign off on assortment decisions for key portfolio categories.
• Create and drive overall merchandising and category strategies to meet company goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with Licensing team to create licensing strategies that will deliver growth and excitement.
• Define Private Label needs across portfolio.
• Seek out, utilize and share relevant competitive analysis/trends forecasts.
• Own strategy plans, including broad/strategic product presentation vision across stores, ecom and marketplaces.
• Oversee the development of assortment strategy, as well as the inventory turnover and marketing plans; good, better, best strategies.
• Establish specific category roles and allocate resources accordingly.
• Manage merchandising category budgets and weekly, monthly, and annual forecasting.
• Lead, coach and develop merchandising leadership pipeline.
• Develop strategic partnerships with senior leaders, both internal and external.
• Ensure positive relationships with critical vendor partners.
• Collaborate with product development teams to assure product strategy is in line with merchandise plan and strategy.
• Participate with Product Development on trips to Asia.
• Communicate weekly business trends and forecast.
• Drive the process for category and product versioning for all store velocity groupings (High, Average and Low) to ensure the minimization of inventory liabilities and driving higher product sell-thru.
• In conjunction with Pricing and BI, manage the pricing strategies for all portfolio categories.
• Ensure all categories plan-o-gram and merchandising strategies drive a great customer experience with product placement, flow, retails, pack sizes versus the competition.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in retail merchandising, business management or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years prior experience in buying, merchandising and/or planning.
• At least 3 years at the VP/MM level with a good understanding of merchandising financials and the ability to manage profitability.
• Strong analytical aptitude.
• A merchant who can see the vision of the business through the lens of the consumer.
• A merchant who is comfortable taking calculated bets and acts strategically using financial data to develop a competitive advantage.
• Detail oriented; must be able to dig in and communicate the details of the business.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills – proven experience in building teams.
• A strong, curious merchant who has a passion for the business.
• Strong understanding of consumer and the party goods business.
• Team player with stellar work ethic.
• Strong understanding of marketing and web marketing business.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook required.