Perry Ellis International Hiring for VP PRODUCT MANAGEMENT & MERCHANDISING at Portland, Oregon Full Time

Perry Ellis International, Inc. represents a diverse portfolio of lifestyle apparel brands. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries owns and licenses nationally and internationally recognized brands including: Perry Ellis®, Original Penguin® by Munsingwear®, Laundry by Shelli Segal®, Rafaella®, Cubavera®, Ben Hogan®, Savane®, Grand Slam®, John Henry®, Manhattan®, Axist®, Jantzen® and Farah®. The Company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike® and Jag® for swimwear, and Callaway®, PGA TOUR®, and Jack Nicklaus® for golf apparel.

SUMMARY

This global merchant is charged with engineering, leading, and executing the global product strategy for Nike Swim, in alignment with the overall Nike brand strategy.  Accountable to deliver against financial metrics, consumer needs, and business goals.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Product Management Expertise

• Create and lead a clear vision and strategic direction for Nike Swim in the marketplace driven by consumer insights, competitive and marketplace analysis as well as business performance. 
• Leads with a customer focus and understanding of how to develop a commercially viable product assortment aligned with the Nike Brand DNA.
• Conduct global market landscape research and analysis to identify new opportunities for Nike Swim to compete and create value for consumers, retailers, distributors, and other stakeholders. Leverage internal and external data sources to develop an intimate understanding of the consumer and the market space to drive and deliver superior results. 
• Lead and develop the team’s capability to become product management experts accountable for line plans, product briefs, franchise management, and long-term product roadmaps.  Direct and approve product strategy.
• Ensure cross-functional teams (Technical Design, Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and Marketing) strategic intent of line plans and product briefs that hit financial targets.
• Support and assist cross-functional partners with direction and problem solving to ensure timely execution of key product management milestones is met within the seasonal end-to-end calendar. 
• Collaborate closely with Nike GPL on overall Nike brand initiatives and Nike Swim category strategy.

Merchandising 

• Consistently drive significant improvements in financial and performance metrics (revenue/margin),  by responding to changing consumer behaviors and evolving retail landscape.
• Ensure products that are commercial, brand right, resonate with the consumer, are differentiated within the marketplace, priced appropriately, and deliver profitable growth.
• Deliver strategies and development targets for maximizing SKU efficiencies with a thorough analysis of the data set.
• Collaborate with the global Sales team on segmentation strategies by distribution channel and consumer.
• Own presentation and deliverables for Seasonal Kickoff, Line Plan and Brief, Strategic Alignment, and GTM. 
• Partner with Marketing on GTM, providing commercial teams and partners with tools to deliver compelling sell-ins.Review and analyze post-season recaps in conjunction with inventory and planning to synthesize data and insights that drive future opportunities. 
• Constantly review tools and processes for continuous improvement opportunities and increased productivity. 

Leadership and Team Development

• Champions and builds an inclusive and agile culture with the simplicity of the process and role clarity to connect and coordinate with support teams that respond quickly, intentionally, and efficiently.
• Fosters consistent open communication and team environment with all partners; receives and gives constructive feedback professionally.
• Identifies and develops diverse, results-driven teams, fostering an inclusive, engaging culture of cross-functional collaboration and respect.
• Hold self and others accountable for work commitments and outcomes. Manages team priorities.
• Mentors, coaches, and counsels direct reports to be accountable to high-level performance expectations while focusing on priorities, and business objectives. 
• Apply sound professional and fiscal management in the oversight of the department, including budget line items, especially in the areas of development, sample materials, T&E, and sampling.
• Collaborate with the cross-functional leadership team to deliver a common vision for the brand. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Compelling communicator.  Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Brings a depth and range of experience in the apparel industry, along with understanding the end-to-end product and supply chain engine, expertise in fit, tech Design, and digitization of prototypes, as well as seasoned understanding of fabric + yarn suppliers and exposure to mill strategies.
• Maintains a global perspective; be culturally sensitive and aware; able to influence across multiple functions and geographies.
• Ability to inspire ideas/new concepts; ability to conceptually visualize and build a line.
• Negotiates and influences skillfully to resolve conflict in challenging situations. 
• 15 + years’ leadership experience in retail apparel production roles of increasing scope, complexity, and responsibility. Apparel and/or textile manufacturing is a must.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interface regularly with senior/executive leadership
• Overseas travel experience, knowledge, and flexibility.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in PLM, Adobe Suites, and Google/Microsoft programs.
• Strategic, resourceful, resilient, and organized
• Growth and profit-driven
• Functional and operational experience in global markets (NA, EMEA, APLA) across customer channels
• A strong consumer-centric view with a proven ability to commercialize, assess where and how to compete while delivering on global and market-specific opportunities
• Analytical acumen; a highly developed analytical mindset
• Brings forward an outside-in view that challenges internal thinking and provides objective views of opportunities and risks 
• Digitally/Technologically savvy

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• BA required
• 15+ years of experience in a global merchant role
• Proven global product and brand strategy leadership experience
• The ideal candidate will have a swim and/or sports apparel/ hardgoods foundation