Sr Manager, Merchandising - Softlines

The Walt Disney Company•Kissimmee, FL

2d•$132,600 - $177,700•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Merchandising - Softlines drives execution of the merchandise strategy and vision for their assigned categories, contributing to a complex, multi-category Softlines division. This role works closely with cross-functional teams to deliver consumer-centric, trend-right, high-quality product assortments across all owned and operated channels, bringing franchise priorities and guest insights to life through Apparel, Accessories, and Lifestyle Home. The Senior Manager plays a key role in delivering brand equity and financial performance targets through the full product lifecycle, from merchant-led concept and brief through commercialization, applying a working understanding of the fabrication, functionality, construction, and regulatory complexities unique to Softlines development.

Requirements

6-8+ years of progressive experience in Merchandising, preferably in Lifestyle Home
Experience in building a product line for a category/categories of business that is both globally leveraged and locally relevant
Demonstrated ability to capitalize on market trends and consumer zeitgeist to maximize value creation throughout the trend cycle
Demonstrated ability to create, leverage and scale innovation
Demonstrated ability to manage revenue creation while maintaining brand integrity
Strategic thinker with the ability to drive execution against a financial plan
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence a diverse audience including experience working with external partners and business owners to bring product and assortments to the market
Successful experience working, and thriving, in a highly matrixed company structure
Leadership and talent development abilities and a collaborative and effective management style
Strong Team Player – The ability to build & foster collaborative partnerships across functions & departments
Ability to think creatively and disruptively to bring and infuse new ideas into product development
Ability to manage the organizational and cultural change efforts needed to ensure new, innovative concepts, business practices, and technologies are fully adopted and integrated into the business
Demonstrated hands-on experience in product development and merchandising within softlines categories
Demonstrated experience developing fit and construction briefs and packaging/presentation strategies across softlines categories, with an understanding of how packaging and presentation format directly impacts consumer perception, purchase behavior, and brand engagement; conversant in how presentation decisions are made at the category level and how those decisions vary across softlines categories
Proven ability to operate as a merchant-led product developer, capable of authoring product briefs, identifying category and assortment gaps, and driving product from concept through production in partnership with sourcing and vendor partners, independent of or in advance of formal Product Design involvement
Track record of executing brand collaborations and co-branded product programs from end to end, including partner identification, creative and legal alignment, product development support, and commercial launch, with an ability to balance brand integrity and commercial objectives throughout the process
Active knowledge of and engagement with leading apparel, fashion, and lifestyle brands, with the ability to apply competitive best practices around trend and fashion innovation, capsule and collection strategy, fit and fabrication, and consumer engagement directly to Disney's owned-and-operated retail product lineup
Ability to travel domestically and internationally
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

Responsibilities

Creates and implements the day-to-day execution of product strategies across a softlines category / categories
Translate product strategy into consumer-focused assortments that drive commercial success in Disney Parks
Maintain deep consumer focus, balancing insights and analytics to identify opportunities, strengthen the brand, and enhance the guest experience
Monitor global market, competitive, and consumer trends to identify growth opportunities
Champion trend-driven, innovative products developed with Design and Sourcing teams to meet consumer demand and achieve business and sustainability objectives
Analyze product performance to identify successes, continuously improve assortments and drive productivity
Apply expertise in softlines development, including materials, fabrics, fit, construction, trims, embellishments, manufacturing capabilities, and production timelines
Drive merchant development and manage open-market and licensed product sourcing to fill assortment gaps, address emerging trends, and support key franchise initiatives
Lead the development and execution of brand collaborations and co-branded programs
Manage the full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization, ensuring financial, innovation, sustainability, and regulatory goals are met
Ensure compliance with technical and regulatory requirements for softlines, including flammability, labeling, packaging, and care standards
Category and Brand ambassador to cross-functional teams showing up as a compelling, dynamic, knowledgeable leader in all stages of go to market process and partner interactions where product is discussed
Build compelling strategies that result in strong financial results and create solutions to drive category vision
Manage conversation and activities with sourcing to cost the line and run financial scenarios
Manage conversation with design to create a product line in all activities and key milestone meetings
Actively manages communication and collaboration with key commercialization partners
Influence cross-functional partners to drive execution and remove road block
Maintains and communicates strong point of view on consumer, customer and business across stakeholders and management.
Leads through ambiguity
Manages direct reports with immediate feedback on performance and weekly touch bases to review deliverables, regular development and coaching
Builds, develops and retains best in class Merchant talent.
Execute and manage simultaneous, overlapping softlines product timelines within category, maintaining clarity on development milestones, lead times, approval gates, and delivery windows, and making real-time prioritization decisions that protect on-time execution without compromising product integrity or financial targets
Manage category operating budgets and financial plans, driving disciplined decision making and scenario planning to achieve performance targets