Merchandising Manager, Sri Lanka

Location: Sri Lanka

State/Province/City: Remote

City: Columbo

Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)

Time Type: Full-time

Description & Requirements

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 lululemon Liaison Office (LLO) team is dedicated to ensuring our products are produced of the highest quality, delivered when we need them, and manufactured with partners who share our commitment to elevating the world. Not only do we manage the production of great products, but we also build great relationships.

Our Merchandising Manager is dedicated to ensuring our components are produced on time, to the highest quality, with our manufacturing partners who share our commitment to elevating the world. The Merchandising Manager partners with cross-functional teams across Asia and North America to deliver against the overall product and company vision


A day in the life:

  • Lead a team of merchandisers to work with vendors on costing SOP adherence and oversee the production from BUY confirmation to shipment
  • Team with Costing team to negotiate SMV, yield & thread with vendors based on GSD data/ME bulk data/costing standard
  • Visit vendors/factories for cost validation and production tracking, analyze and validate cost breakdown and negotiate cost as needed to have cost excellence
  • Analyze bulk production data to drive efficiency and cost saving to ensure the team validate the cost sheets before the gate dates
  • Upskill our vendor partners on lululemon production and logistics policies, processes and systems; roll out new processes and procedures to assigned vendors as needed
  • Oversee the BUY confirmation to negotiate the best delivery with vendors and take the lead in resolving any potential and current issues with cross-functional teams to minimize the impact of managing on-time delivery
  • Analyze the capacity and capability of vendors to make sure they can deliver the right product on time and follow the agreement on T&A, or manage the liability management with vendors due to cancellation to adhere to SOP
  • Work closely with our Compliance and Quality teams in ensuring that our social compliance and quality standards are adhered to, and goals are met, and communicate delivery statuses and issues to appropriate SSC (Store Support Centre) counterparts in a timely and concise manner
  • Collaborate with Sourcing to build a vendor strategy based on product capability, cost, lead-time, capacity and past performance
  • Own quarterly vendor performance reviews and identify new factories to explore potential vendors to support business growth
  • Support the senior management and the team to achieve company goals and initiatives

Qualifications:

  • Your ideal background: Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Textiles or related discipline, with 10+ years of relevant industry experience
  • Strong knowledge of technical performance materials, garment construction, design, and development
  • Knowledge of product creation calendar timeline and ability to work against deadlines
  • You have been an awesome People Manager for at least over 2 years and are inspired to develop and coach others
  • Excellent leadership and cross-cultural communication skills, with experience in building and leading a team
  • Knowledge of x-functional team accountabilities and requirements preferred, including design, materials, sourcing, merchandising and quality assurance
  • Agile, responds positively to change under pressure, embracing and using new practices to accomplish goals and solve problems
  • Fluency in English, with solid knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, particularly in MS Excel (V Lookup and Pivot Table knowledge essential)
  • Experience using PLM software is an advantage

Must haves:
  • Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life
  • Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results
  • Communicates with honesty and kindness, and creates the space for others to do the same
  • Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure
  • Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships
  • Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take themselves too seriously


Beyond the Paycheck (Benefits & Perks)  

At lululemon, we care for and invest in the whole person – body, mind, spirit. Our total rewards program is designed to support you in achieving your goals and focus on the things you love. In addition to competitive base pay and a team-based bonus program, we also offer paid time off, generous employee discounts, fitness/yoga classes, parenthood top up program and personal and professional development programs.    


Note: availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to your location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these benefits and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice. 

#LI-CY1

Apply Now

Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.

lululemon is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you would like someone from our team to contact you for individualized support, email us ataccommodations@lululemon.com. In your email, please include the position title, the location of the position and the nature of your request.