MERCHANDISE ALLOCATION MANAGER - HOME OFFICE - AUSTIN, TEXAS
About Kendra Scott:
We are a fun, talented and driven team dedicated to providing our customers with gorgeous products and a WOW! experience. Family, fashion and philanthropy are at the core of our company and though we move at a very fast pace, we are committed to maintaining a family-oriented work environment and giving back to our community. A passion for great design, dedication to innovation and a strong social media presence are our building blocks for creating a unique and engaging lifestyle brand across all channels, including retail stores, wholesale accounts and e-commerce. Our headquarters are located in the heart of Austin, Texas, and we embrace the unique vibe and energy of our hometown as an inspiration for our brand and company culture.
Position Overview:
The Merchandise Allocation Manager is a professional member of the Allocation team and reports to the Director of Planning and Allocation. This is an exempt, salaried position whose primary responsibilities are to oversee allocation and replenishment for all categories across retail stores and ecommerce, partner cross functionally to gain alignment, and ensure financial goals are achieved while supporting overall company initiatives. The manager will also be responsible for developing members of the team while ensuring execution of the strategy and goals set for the department.
Responsibilities:
Allocation/ Replenishment Inventory Management
" Accountable for team results and department inventory management of all categories at the store/channel level, ensuring in stock rates to maximize Revenue while hitting inventory targets
" Proactively achieve allocation alignment from all cross functional partners to ensure allocations are supporting overall initiatives and key feature items
" Drive the team to develop and present strategies, evaluate performance, chase pertinent opportunities, and collaborate on allocation/distribution edits
" Oversee store level special product requests process, ensure efficiency and scalability for future growth
" Act as the liaison between the Home Office and Distribution Center on cross functional projects and initiatives
" Accountable for reporting on store/tier/regional performance, including store level turn, ensuring risks and opportunities are presented with recommendations
" View and communicate inventory from a global perspective; clearly understands inventory needs and impacts to all areas of the company
" Consolidate, prioritize and communicate revenue driving opportunities; ensuring timely action and cross functional buy-in for execution
" Facilitate and manage the store replenishment cadence, considering business needs based on seasonality as well as any operational initiatives
" Oversee scheduled quarterly rebalances, as well as other opportunities to optimize store inventory levels to maximize Revenue and Margin
" Accountable for new store assortment planning, ensuring inventory is reserved for new stores and order timelines are met
" Responsible for on time delivery of all team deadlines
Leadership and Team Building
" Manage the Allocation team, set and redirect priorities; communicate strategies and develop objectives to drive financial targets while ensuring cross functional alignment
" Effectively manages up, communicating results to leadership including key wins, risks and opportunities
" Inspire the team to meet goals, seeks input from the team and has a collaborate approach
" Maintain a highly adaptable approach, help the team to navigate through change
" Ensure team understands expectations to ensure successful execution
" Seeks opportunities to improve process and efficiency, both in day to day operations as well as meetings
" Host 1:1s with the team to develop a deep understanding of each employee's long-term goals and interests, provide continuous feedback that is both constructive and celebratory
" Problem solve any roadblocks brought up by the team, maintaining a calm, positive demeanor
" Identify strengths and opportunities within the team and coach them accordingly
Cross Functional Partnership
" Collaborate with cross-functional teams to determine execution plans that support Allocation, Planning and Merchandising strategies and goals
" Build strong relationships with Regional and District Managers to understand store and region level needs, ensure team is working to support these needs with inventory
" Partner closely with Visual Merchandising team on store level displays based on inventory levels, ensure key focus items are supported from a visual perspective
" Share channel/regional/store product performance, trends, and key insights with Planning and Merchandising to help support distribution strategies for future assortments
" Demonstrate a detailed level of collaboration with Distribution Center to ensure execution of store orders and consistent accurate inventory levels at the warehouse
" Act as a consultant with cross functional teams on future promotional plans, ensuring financial targets are achievable based on channel inventory levels
" Partner closely with Planning on channel distribution strategy, ensuring buy strategy and priority items are supported
" Collaborate with Retail Operations team on employee purchasing strategy, contests, cycle counts/physical inventory, and rebalances
" Partner with channel heads to continuously understand inventory needs, requests, opportunities and risks within their business
" Ensure clear, 360-degree communication with CFTs, gaining buy in on new initiatives, strategies, successes and opportunities
" Anticipate the impact of decision making on team and cross functional partners
" Drive influence with cross functional teams and senior leadership to ensure alignment of allocation strategies and financial goals
" Act as functional department leader while managers are out of office
Our Ideal Candidate will have:
" Omnichannel allocation experience required (multiple brick and mortar stores + ecommerce)
" 7+ years of experience in retail allocation/planning/buying
" Analytical ability and proficiency in retail math and inventory management
" High level of experience using Excel and other tools to analyze a business to drive results
" 4 Year College degree required; B.S Degree in Retail Merchandising or Business preferred
" Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, including prioritization, planning, task delegation and communication of big picture
" Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and follow up are critical
" 2-3+ years of experience managing a team
" Ability to communicate complex issues, risks and opportunities in easily understood and concise manner, with specific and complete information; Communicates 360 degrees, altering communication styles to meet audience need
" Strong leader with experience in supporting and growing a multi-channel organization; ability to excel as strategic and/or hands on leader and adapt as needed