Job Description

This job contributes to REI’s success by driving critical Merchandising growth initiatives via support of the Director, GTC & Omnichannel Strategy and the Merchandising Leadership Team. The core function of this role is to facilitate the development of program and project plans for Merchandising product and assortment strategies and to lead the implementation of said plans across supporting divisions within REI. Additionally, this role will act as a critical thought partner for their Director and DVP and across the Merchandsing organization, refining product-led strategies through the lens of go-to-customer channels spanning stores, digital, and marketing.

The Senior Program Manager, Omnichannel Strategy role will initiate strategic programming work within Merchandising and lead that work on the Merchandising organization’s behalf with key cross-functional teams. They will deploy clear program playbooks and associated plans, timelines, accountability models, and progress reports to ensure critical strategic omnichannel workstreams are achieved.

• Acts as a convener of Merchandising product strategies that have go-to-customer and omnichannel applications and implications. Works with product teams to refine strategy and intended learnings.
• Creates a durable and scalable omnichannel strategy program playbook that considers Merchandising organization business rhythms and Merchandising and enterprise goals.
• Leads collaboration and strategic alignment across key cross-functional teams, ensuring and nurturing close partnerships to break down silos, identify shared objectives, and progress action and learnings.
• Acts as a central representative for planning, communication, and the advancement of Merchandising product and assortment strategies within key partner divisions; Stores, Digital, and Marketing.
• Accountable for program management, program leadership, and successful delivery of a portfolio of work.
• Creates a repeatable & predictable process for strategy, priorities, goals, and business reviews within the Merchandising organization while ensuring integration and alignment back to the broader Customer Org and enterprise.
• Proactively provides solutions to problems that may arise with little to no guidance.
• Performs ongoing risk assessments and manages impact/mitigation solutions; proactively identifies and removes barriers, escalating as appropriate.
• Leads special projects and working group activities. Influences key partners cross-functionally on Merchandising strategy priorities and dependencies.
• Extends expertise and best practices to other partner organization program managers to help guide overall Merchandising strategy and business objectives.
• Evaluates and analyzes regular business results to proactively identify issues and provide improvement recommendations.
• Applies Great Operators framework and methodologies across the Merchandising org to improve integration and ways of working.
• Supports broader customer business planning & operations forums as needed, focused on core enterprise initiatives and shared goal planning and alignment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years demonstrated experience in project management, process improvement and implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Prior experience with merchandising and key merchandising functional areas preferred
• Prior experience with omnichannel retail and proven success developing strategies and operations with marketing, retail, and digital elements.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or a combination of education and highly relevant work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, standards and tools associated with broad reaching program management.
• Experience navigating within merchandising functions and with cross-divisional partners and programs
• Demonstrated leadership skills and proven ability to flex between strategic thinking and effective execution.
• Strong organizational and planning capabilities – logical and structured, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to build and foster strong relationships across the organization, from individual contributors to senior management; establishes trust and inspires others.
• Highly collaborative: partners actively and achieves alignment; communication and presentation skills to drive vision and strategy.

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