Manager, Merchandising Strategy & Operations
Athleta

About Athleta

For the past 25 years, we’ve committed ourselves and our brand to a single aim: to empower all women and girls. Inspiration. Collaboration. Connection. Inclusivity. It’s what we do best, and we’re on the hunt for people who share our passion for leading an active lifestyle, growing personally as well as professionally, and creating game-changing products and experiences.

We use business as a force for good by putting people and the planet right up there with profit, which is why Athleta is a certified B Corp. Ready to make a move? Join us. Because we know that alone we’re strong, but together we’re unstoppable.

About the Role

The Manager of Merchandising Strategy & Operations at Athleta reports to the Director of Merchandising Strategy & Operations. In this role you will be responsible for driving the development of long-range product and category strategies, focusing on new innovations for the brand in partnership with the cross-functional Product leaders, and ensuring our seasonal strategies connect back to our long-range goals. You will build market and competitor intelligence capabilities and partner closely with Customer Insights to leverage those insights to inform and shape product strategies and go-to-market plans for new product developments. You will also shape the innovation pipeline process to foster a culture of innovation and lead Athleta in its next phase of growth.

In this highly visible role you will work with and become a thought partner to leaders in the Athleta Product team and across the broader organization (e.g., Customer Insights, Marketing). As such, collaboration, influence, and communication are critical skills for your success. Strategic thinking, advanced analytics and an ability to connect-the-dots across multiple data points, teams, and initiatives are required. You will need to both think big and also be comfortable rolling up your sleeves.

What You'll Do

• Execute on Product long-range plans in partnership with the Product cross-functional teams (Merchandising, Design, Production, Inventory Management) to connect strategies to our long lead and seasonal processes - from ideating new innovations to sizing/assessing new opportunities to market entry plans
• Partner with cross-functional teams on development and refreshing of their product LRP's as well as drive strategic product-related growth initiatives for the brand. This includes project planning, cross-functional project management, ownership of deliverables, driving business impact, and engagement with key stakeholders
• Lead strategic projects focused on opportunities to drive productivity and profitability (e.g., pricing and discounting); Develop analyses and use industry standard resources (e.g., Circana, Centric Pricing) to recommend updates to Athleta pricing and assortment
• Inject market & customer insights into the business at relevant points in the pipeline, and build organizational capability to understand, digest, and use that information to make better product and investment decisions, ensuring everything we do is customer-centric
• Present findings and recommendations to product leaders and senior executives across Athleta

Who You Are

• 4-6 years of professional work experience; Bachelor's degree, MBA a plus; Ideally 2-3 years with a top-tier management consulting firm and/or experience working at a retail/apparel brand in Strategy, Inventory Management or Merchandising
• Demonstrated track record as an outstanding problem solver and strategic thinker with the ability to quickly identify key issues and develop hypotheses
• Able to translate complex ideas and dispersed information into simple, actionable recommendations
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, with ability to oversee and provide direction to cross-functional partners and/or more junior team members
• Strong business acumen related to consumer facing businesses and ability to assess impact of decisions on overall business performance
• Strength in written and oral communication with proven ability to connect with and influence senior leaders and strong ability and willingness to collaborate effectively as a team player

Benefits at Athleta

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
• Employee stock purchase plan.*
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*
• See more of the benefits we offer.

*For eligible employees

Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

Salary Range: $103,500 - $137,100 USD
Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.

US CandidatesPlease note that effective, June 30, 2022, Gap Inc. will no longer require any of its employees to wear face masks or require proof of COVID vaccination, unless required by local or state/provincial mandates or as part of Gap Inc's quarantine guidelines after being exposed to or testing positive for COVID. Therefore, please disregard any language in any job posting that refers to Gap Inc.'s face mask and proof of vaccination policy as said policy is no longer effective.