Director, Engineering, Merchandising Systems
About The Position
The Director, Business Systems, Merchandising Systems provides vision and strategy for Sephora’s Merchandising Systems portfolio and leads the technology team responsible for product and SKU management, assortment, space management, brand engagement, merchandising operations across store and digital channels, and product lifecycle management. The role partners with senior business and technology leaders to translate business strategies into product roadmaps, scalable solutions, and measurable outcomes, using AI-enabled tools and processes to accelerate delivery. The director leads a team focused on scalable applications and solutions supporting merchandising across stores and digital channels. The position also drives AI-first and agentic software development practices, business process automation, and cross-company collaboration, while coaching and developing product managers, business analysts, and architects.
Requirements
- 10+ years of retail-industry systems experience managing application product management and delivery for the merchandising domain in a fast-paced retail company.
- 3+ years of experience managing teams and matrixed resources, including coaching and mentoring full-time employees and contractors.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business, or a related field.
- Merchandising retail domain expertise across assortment, space management, new product launch, brand engagement, and omnichannel retail.
- Experience with Blue Yonder Floor/Space or comparable solutions and Syndigo or comparable MDM solutions.
- AI-first leadership experience driving delivery through agentic/AI-driven SDLC, AI-augmented product management, and GenAI tools to engage stakeholders, accelerate requirements, and drive process automation.
- Proven expertise in technology product strategy, roadmap development, enterprise-scale SaaS/vendor/in-house application delivery, and scalable systems design.
Responsibilities
- Set the vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap for Merchandising Systems and solutions based on business strategy and industry requirements.
- Engage executive merchandising leadership, merchants, and other stakeholders to align priorities, identify system-improvement opportunities, and drive product execution.
- Lead requirements and solution definition using AI-assisted analysis and design, translating business strategy into requirements, solutions, and specifications for product and SKU management, assortment, brand engagement, merchandising management, space management, and product lifecycle management.
- Apply AI-first and agentic software development lifecycle practices to accelerate solution design, specification, delivery, and documentation; enforce standard build processes and quality, working with Engineering directors to accelerate delivery.
- Lead business process automation and improvement initiatives using AI in partnership with the business.
- Build cross-company relationships and report business-performance KPIs through technology platforms.
- Introduce new technologies and lead, coach, and develop the team, including product managers, business analysts, and architects, through mentoring and matrixed resource management.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Company-paid disability and life insurance
- 401(k) with 4% match
- FSA and HSA programs
- Student Debt Retirement plan, with student loan payments qualifying to earn Sephora’s 401(k) match
- PTO, flexibility, and protected leave
- Training, development, and tuition reimbursement
- 30% discount on merchandise and services
- Opportunities for free products or “gratis” and flash-sale discounts on LVMH brand products
- Free mental health and financial coaching resources with 24/7 access to Modern Health and Financial Finesse
- Volunteer and donation matching
- May be eligible to earn bonuses
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
