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 Buying 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 our regional marketplace dynamics and regional guest needs and use this knowledge to identify opportunities to maximize guest demand.
A day in the life:
The Senior Manager Women’s, Regional Buying, is accountable for the creation and execution of the regional division merchandising strategies and omni channel approach for the season. They drive the delivery of region-specific insights/imperatives to the Global Merchandising team to inform product strategies (inclusive of financial goals, metrics, local product, cultural and guest insights) to service the regional market needs. This individual is accountable for driving the build out and management of the overall women’s division strategies and detailed assortment plans collaborating with Planning to execute seasonal regional buys aligned to our product and financial goals. They are also a key partner to the Digital, Brand & Community and VM teams to ensure the vision for our product becomes the reality for our guest.
The Senior Manager Women’s, Regional Buying, is responsible for the structure, development and performance of their team members across all product classes, key items and channels. The Senior Manager should continuously coach and develop team members to be all-round thinkers and draw critical business conclusions as well as champion collaboration with cross-functional partners throughout the entire product lifecycle. As well as manage in-season execution/management of their class through weekly business analysis/actions, open-to-buy decisions and product exit.
Key responsibilities:
- Key stakeholder management: particularly the ability to manage upwards and garner support from leadership
- Long Range Planning: the ability to craft (and action) a detailed strategic plan for the overall women’s division around how to drive growth and future guest acquisition/retention
- Responsible for defining the optimal structure to of their team to drive results. Whilst also inspiring, coaching and guiding their team members to develop their skills and deliver on business priorities. The Senior Manager is at the helm of team/induvial development plans and performance management
- Accountable for creating divisional regional merchandising strategies and a cohesive omni channel approach. Able to gather regional cross functional critical inputs and prioritise, educate and influence around them
- Guides their team in creating optimal class level product assortments that reflect brand and division consistency, regional relevance, and maximize profitability and sales
- Accountable for leading their team in collating/presenting compelling Regional insights (guest, products, market trends)
- Delivering guest centric assortments
- Collaborates with Planning Leaders to execute seasonal regional buys against product and financial goals
- Accountable for leading their team in preparing and presenting for Buy Reviews (incl. strategies, attributing, investments, flow, etc.)
- Manage the regional pricing product architecture
- Through LRP and each quarterly buy cycle partner with cross-functional partners to inform and execute against key initiatives/regional strategies
- OTB Management with Planning counterpart
- Weekly business reviews to analyze in-season trade and optimal actions
Qualifications:
- BA, BSc, BBA, BComm (or equivalent), specialized in Retail Management an asset
- 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 to curate assortments for the region
- Ability to enroll, lead and influence key cross functional partners
- Minimum eight years of 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 3-4 direct reports (min)
- 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 to maximize business opportunities
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal and demonstrative ability to present to Senior leadership
- Ability to work independently to make sound business decisions, 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:
- 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.
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Learn more about what it's like working for lululemon in our Asia-Pacific markets: