Vail Resorts Careers

Description

Manager: Corporate Merchandise:  Full-Time, Year-Round

Specialty Sports Venture (SSV)

Avon, CO

Experience of a Lifetime. More than just our mission, these words describe Vail Resorts and the people who share a desire to achieve and experience excellence. One of our core values is providing an exceptional experience to our guests and to our employees. An opportunity to work for Vail Resorts and its subsidiary SSV, is an opportunity to bring out your full passion for everything our company stands for, including our commitment to our product, the communities we live in, the environment and our shareholders. Our employees are good at what they do, we welcome people who bring enthusiasm and pride to work.

Job Summary:  To fulfill enterprise-wide assigned buying functions. To generate business through year round, seasonal and promotional buys in an effort to maximize sales and profits in assigned categories. Coordinate with Regional Buyers and Divisional Merchandise Managers on multi-layered market communications on general product mixes, product strategies, merchandising and marketing efforts across all stores. 

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Purchase goods in assigned categories for all regions
• Effectively manage sales, margin, and turns
• Evaluate sales trends, and create methods for sales growth, re-imagine
• Coordinate product strategies and tactics with VP of Merchandise, DMM’s and Regional Managers
• Comply with budgets and open-to-buys
• Help and maintain assortment plans
• Coordinate efforts, direction of market-based coordinators
• Liaison with marketing manager on marketing efforts, product selection, merchandising, etc.
• Support training new and existing merchandise team members
• Provide product layout and visual merchandising guidance
• Work with merchant team & vendors to correct any warehouse problems in a timely manner
• Remain current on industry trends/products
• Demonstrate strong analytical & financial skills
• Allocate time in stores to review merchandising, receive feedback, and become familiar with the customer
• Exhibit organizational and time management skills
• Travel to trade shows, as necessary

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising or equivalent work experience
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant buying/merchandising/industry experience - required
• Multi-unit buying experience (20+stores) - required
• Specialty winter sports buying experience - strongly preferred
• Proficient with Microsoft and other computer programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Macros)
• Ability to fluently communicate in English - required
• Innovative thinker/problem solver
• Influential negotiating skills
• Familiar with AS400/ Retail IDEAS reporting system 
• Familiar with JDA MMS inventory system
• In-depth experience with Microsoft Excel functions
• Able to read and analyze retail reports and take action as necessary to adjust purchases, merchandising and presentation set ups (floor sets)
• Strong interpersonal skills--written and verbal communication; listening and follow through
•  Able to articulate and explain ideas and concepts
• Strong time management skills. Ability to set and achieve goals in a timely manner
• Strong organizational and process planning skills, able to work remove, self-motivated
• Prior supervisory experience including team development and mentoring - preferred

Vail Resorts' retail and rental operations are conducted through Specialty Sports Venture. SSV operates over 180 year-round and seasonal stores under 40 + retail brand names specializing in ski, bike, golf and fly fishing products and gear. We operate in world-class locations such as Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Telluride, Park City, Vail, Lake Tahoe, Minneapolis, Denver’s Front Range and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Learn more about Specialty Sports Venture and Vail Resorts

As a Vail Resorts employee you get way more than a paycheck or even a ski pass. Our Total Rewards program gives employees access to some of the world’s most beautiful playgrounds and luxurious properties—and the goods to enjoy each of them to their fullest potential.

Some of the benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug plans
• 401 (k) Retirement Plan
• Free ski and snowboard pass to our world-class resorts
• Employee discounts at our retail stores
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Auto, Home and Pet Insurance
• Excellent training and professional development