Who we are
lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well.
We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
About this team
The Merchandising team creates and executes transformative global product strategies that ensure we have the right assortment in the right place at the right time to fulfill our guests’ unmet needs to deepen our guest relationships, grow our brand and deliver on our long-term enterprise goals. We possess deep awareness and intuition of global marketplace dynamics and regional guest needs and use this knowledge to identify opportunities to maximize guest demand.
A day in the life
The Manager, Strategic Sales Merchandising is accountable for the creation and execution of merchandising strategies for all departments and programs. The Manager drives the delivery of program-specific insights to the Global Merchandising team (mainline and alternative channels) to inform product strategies, inclusive of financial goals, metrics, local product, event, and partner/guest insights, to service their needs. This individual is accountable for driving the build out and management of department and programs strategies and assortment plans collaborating with Planning and cross functional partners to execute seasonal buys against global product and financial goals.
The Manager, Strategic Sales Merchandising is responsible for the development of their team members to deliver product needs that reflect brand consistency and program relevance to maximize profitability and sales across product classes, key items and channels. The Manager continuously develops team members to be analytical thinkers to draw critical business conclusions and champions collaboration with cross-functional partners throughout the product lifecycle. This individual can adjust the game plan with agility working with teams to drive strategies and deliver product intent across all partner touch points.
Key responsibilities
- Responsible for overseeing Strategic Sales merchandising team who reports directly to the Manager. The Manager inspires, coaches and guides their team members to develop their skills and deliver on business priorities. The Manager supports employee development plans and performance management.
- Accountable for creating program merchandising strategies and omni channel approach for the channel each season and gathers program cross functional input- Strategic Sales, Events and Brand teams as well as mainline Global and Regional team Initiative/updates/capabilities, to help inform program’s product strategies
- Accountable for developing, creating and driving the management of their programs’ strategies and assortment plans
- Guides their team in creating a product assortment that reflects brand consistency and program relevance, maximizing profitability and sales across product class, key items and channels
- Accountable for leading their team in collating and presenting program insights (partners, products, market trends)
- Collaborates with Planning Leaders to execute seasonal buys against global product and financial goals
- Accountable for leading their team in preparing and presenting for Buy Reviews (incl. strategies, attributing, investments, flow, etc.)
- Approve adopt/drop decisions submitted by the team, based on assortment updates/changes
- Accountable for leading their team in validating buy accuracy, resolving MOQ (minimum over quantities) issues and partnering with Global teams to ensure Buy Ready issues are solved
- Throughout each buy cycle partner with Strategic Sales and other cross functional teams to inform and execute against initiatives and program strategies.
- Approves changes submitted by the team to targeted in-store date and options to maximize flow
- Support in OTB conversations and align with Planning on Class targets
- Review business each week/month/season, delivering recaps and actions based on insights and inventory composition, including collating and presenting colour hindsight/shareback to Senior Leaders and Global Merch
- Leads the team to gain in depth consumer and competitive insights from strat sales partner product landscape
- Works closely with Program Managers on ensuring their program vision and strategy aligns with product’s
Qualifications, skills and experience:
- BA, BSc, BBA, BComm (or equivalent), specialized in Retail Management an asset
- Minimum eight years of merchandising/buying experience, combination of people management and industry experience in vertical retail and omni channel experience is required
- Experience and proven ability in coaching, mentoring and leading a team of direct reports
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Program and mastery in excel, proficiency in merchandising software
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret multiple data points across numerous channels and market segments
- Mastery of retail mathematics, including elements of markup, margin, planning, open to buy and inventory productivity
- Ability to balance analytical and creative tasks
- Strong understanding of season-to-season business performance and ability to drive business based on key financial indicators in order to maximize business opportunities
- Acute eye for product and color trends
- Aware of macro lifestyle and fashion trends and how this relates to the active and wellness industry
- Strong knowledge of regional guest base in order to curate assortment for geographic region
- Ability to enroll, lead and influence key cross functional partners
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal and demonstrative ability to present to Senior leadership
- Ability to work independently to make sound business decision, and multitask, pivot, prioritize competing tasks and operate in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to travel (domestic and international) and work on the retail floor
Must haves
- Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
- Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
- Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
- Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
- Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
- Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take yourself too seriously.
Additional notes
Immigration support is potentially available for this role.
Compensation and benefits package
lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $118,400–155,400 annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.
At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:
- Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
- Paid time off
- Savings and retirement plan matching
- Generous employee discount
- Fitness & yoga classes
- Parenthood top-up
- Extensive catalog of development course offerings
- People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)
Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.
Workplace arrangement
This role is classified as Hybrid under our SSC Workplace Policy: In-person collaboration is important, and much of the role can be performed remotely. Work is performed onsite at least 3 days per week.