Title Specialist, New Store Optimization
Department Merchandising
Position reports to Manager, New Store Optimization
Direct reports None
Travel < 10%
Location St. Louis Corporate Office
FLSA CST 16
What We Do – Accountabilities
• Assures accurate creation of merchandise sub-class plans and assortments, and builds to those inventory targets for new stores.
• Assures execution of specific processes related to the merchandising, inventory management, and logistics of New, Relocating, Remodel, and Closing stores so that strategic plans and deadlines are met.
• Assures knowledge of gender initiatives and strategic concepts related to one’s merchandise area and executes to them when building new store assortments.
• Assures the overall success of all new stores and relocated stores.
• Assures full execution of a Special Job Objective, tied to a Famous Footwear strategic and/or tactical initiative, as agreed upon with supervisor.
Essential Functions
• Researches New and Relocated Store locations and historic regional selling to determine opening inventory targets by subclass, taking into account company subclass plans and by-store nuances.
• Partners with Buying and Assortment Planning teams to build assortments that tie to subclass plans and allocates accordingly.
• Works cross-functionally with Planning and Buying counterparts to ensure all New and Relocating Store needs are met.
• Analyzes New and Relocated Store performance and field feedback post-opening to identify opportunities. Communicates actionable results to all Planning, Buying, and Allocation counterparts, and partners with them to positively impact the business.
• Maximizes available cross-departmental resources and partnerships, including Store and District Managers, Real Estate, Store Support, Marketing, the DCs, and Store Communication.
• Effectively partners and collaborates with other New Store Team Specialists to best meet objectives and deadlines for New, Relocating, Remodel, and Closing Stores. Makes recommendations to improve and evolve team processes where necessary.
Preferred Qualifications & Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum 2 years of experience in any of these areas preferred:
• Inventory management/inventory analysis
• Business Planning
• Allocation or Location Planning
• Merchandise Assortment Planning
• Store Planning
• Retail buying
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• JDA Planning system experience preferred
• IBM AS-400 system experience preferred