Director of Merchandise - Beauty - Seattle, WA (Hybrid)

Nordstrom•Seattle, WA

1d•$160,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Beauty industry merchant to join Nordstrom as Director of Merchandising, Beauty. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned leader with deep Beauty category expertise—from prestige cosmetics and skincare to fragrance and wellness—who is ready to shape the future of one of retail’s most dynamic and fast-growing categories. The Director of Merchandising, Beauty is responsible for creating and overseeing the execution of a customer-centric merchandise strategy, selection, and procurement of product for their area of responsibility. The Merchandising Director is accountable for sales, gross margin, turn, store curation, the digital experience, and customer acquisition and satisfaction. This leader creates an inclusive and collaborative work environment and effectively influences down, across, and up the organization. As a leader of teams, the Merchandising Director is also responsible for developing a team and succession planning.

Requirements

Minimum 3+ years of experience in management and leadership roles with proven progression
Experience working directly with Beauty brands, vendors, and industry partners across multiple retail channels (department store, specialty, or DTC)
5+ years of Beauty merchandising or buying experience, with demonstrated expertise in prestige, mass, or specialty Beauty (skincare, cosmetics, fragrance, or wellness) required
Ability to build strong relationships with peers and senior leadership
Strong strategic planning abilities and critical thinking skills
Clear and effective written/verbal communication and presentation skills
Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and organizational skills

Responsibilities

Develop product strategies, sets direction with both immediate and future focus lens, that align with corporate priorities and develops and executes key short- and long-term strategy, inclusive of sourcing of product, liquidity, and vendor mix
Brings a deep point of view on the Beauty landscape—identifying emerging brands, white space opportunities, influencer-driven trends, and new market entries—and leads buying teams to capitalize on these opportunities
Partners with Planning Director to be fiscally responsible while taking calculated risks with mitigation strategies to meet financial KPI’s.
Understands priorities of the business, maintains focus; keeps priorities clear and simple, and clearly articulates strategies and priorities to all levels and audiences
Be a change leader in the division, supporting company initiatives and ensuring adoption by merchandising team
Partners with DMM to set objectives both short and long term and ideates on solutions for current business problems
Reviews assortments generated by teams to ensure alignment with strategy and corresponding category and financial plans as well as E2E key opportunities, and leads area of responsibility supplier relationships
Supports actions needed based on customer response- pushes brands for more access, RTV’s or VFMD’s
Works cross functionally with key partners on priorities and ensures there is alignment with customer and product strategy (Financial planning, Planning, NPG /Private Brand, Retail Director, Allocation, RP, Price, Fashion Office, Marketing)
Operates with strong executive presence, sound judgment, and discretion, representing the division with professionalism internally and externally and develops direct reports and broader team identifying specific leadership opportunities and experiences to grow talent