VP, Buying, Women's Apparel & Mens/Womens Accessories - Calvin Klein

PVH • New York, NY

9d • $220,000 - $270,000

About The Position

Be part of an iconic story. At Calvin Klein, we believe in fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture by celebrating different perspectives, backgrounds and beliefs to truly connect with our associates and consumers. Join us and have a meaningful impact on the world – and – endless opportunities to design your future. Immerse yourself in Calvin Klein here! ( YouTube , Instagram , TikTok ) The VP, Buying is responsible for creating and executing the division’s product strategies to meet or exceed financial plans. They will lead the product development & buying team with vision, structure and clear expectations to optimize all KPIs while elevating assortments and telling compelling brand stories in all DTC channels (Mainline, Outlet & Ecommerce) . The VP, Buying will lead, collaborate, and communicate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure all projects are moving towards the financial and calendar goals. In addition, with support of the SVP of Buying , they will orchestrate and influence the planning of the product development/buying with both internal and external product sources for women’s apparel & men’s & women’s accessories from strategy to store execution as one cohesive and on brand Calvin Klein assortment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Experienced merchant leader with diversified background in product development, planning/distribution, and visual merchandising
• 10+ years industry experience, with specific knowledge and expertise in vertical retailing environments & buying, merchandising or related role
• Must have experience in driving a retail division in merchandising/buying
• Comprehensive knowledge of current fashion/retail trends; ability to introduce innovative business ideas to the team
• Prior management experience required; must have experience in successfully developing talent
• Strong communication skills and people development skills
• Collaborative leadership style and strong cross-functional partnership abilities, particularly with design, marketing and planning
• Must exhibit open and encouraging leadership style, a defined point of view
• Strong presentation skills and ability to communicate womens omni brand strategy and vision across all levels of an organization
• A well-organized and self-directed individual who is a team player
• A high energy, roll-up-the-sleeves attitude with a positive approach to dealing with challenges
• Balance of strategic business/analytical skills, creating merchandising and tactical execution
• Proven track record of leading and growing a team
• Outstanding leadership and people skills. Ability to manage up, down, and vertically
• Ability to collaborate across functions and levels
• High taste level – Experience working in elevated brand(s)
• Must be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment
• Must have a strong sense of urgency and ability to quickly prioritize workload
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Must be flexible to adapt to changing business trends and ad-hoc strategic initiatives.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and interact effectively with senior management and a variety of cross-functional partners from all disciplines. Must be able to lead process and influence partners at all levels of the organization including Global heads of Design and Merchandising
• Fast-paced creative, changing environment. Must be flexible to shifts in priority and work hours
• This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Directs buying to ensure adequate volume/inventory levels, integrity of quality and pricing, and to maximize all aspects of open to buy for the division
• Lead team and collaborate with VP of Planning to build financial and product strategies to ensure execution will drive results
• Represent the division for the specific categories the VP, Buying will manage in senior management meetings (WBR, seasonal strategy, assortment finalization, OTB, floorset, etc), presenting concise strategies and findings; must be able to sell and validate point of view with facts and analysis
• Maintains a strategic focus on the business. Actively identifies long and short term plans to grow and decline classifications keeping in mind sku counts, productivity & store space/fixturing
• Devises new and innovative business strategies for the division, driving bottom-line and top-line growth
• Drives womens omni buying strategies behind business plans; works closely with planning to ensure all product opportunities are pursued and appropriately planned
• In partnership with VP of Buying, will advocate for NA Retail specific business needs with internal stakeholders, Licensees (where applicable), 3rd party vendors by providing full transparency into business strategy, customer and assortments
• Develop strategic alliances with Licensees (where applicable) and 3rd party vendors. Ability to source product accordingly to elevate the assortment while delivering competitive value to the customer
• Ensure business/product needs specific to CK Retail are clear as internal product teams work directly with Licensees (where applicable) and 3rd party vendors
• In partnership with VP of Buying, approve all proto/TOP samples with Licensees (where applicable) and 3rd party vendors, partner with design as needed to improve branding/execution
• Builds relationships through effective collaboration & participates as a solution oriented leader and team member
• Understands financial metrics to analyze entire division & can make recommendations on how to drive each business based on sales, history and market trends. Identifies how current trend will impact future results and guides team to adjust as needed
• Leads their team & product teams to evaluate and drive results at the category and good better best level. Pushes the teams to reinvent the line, creating volume styles and franchises with a clear consumer POV
• Provides timely direction and clear communication to all team and cross-functional partners
• Focus assortments and stand for the important and meaningful segments of each business by store tier and climate profile
• Understands directional womens competitive set and CK Global line; ability to translate into innovative, relevant product stories that will steal market share
• Key point person for womens with creative teams (visual, windows, marketing) to drive product messaging, marketing and in-store presentation
• Cultivate talent & mentor direct reports and assistants – conduct timely coaching sessions to provide feedback regarding growth & development for next level position
• Clearly communicate expectations and implications. Ensure the team has all the tools needed to deliver on their responsibilities
• Train, lead and develop the team while simultaneously empowering team and cross functional partners act as the leader of their individual departments
• Foster an environment of continual training, development and trust
• Build and maintain relationships with third party vendors/licensees, and strategically partner to deliver a differentiated product mix that meets financial goals
• Demonstrates ability to manage up, down and across with successful results

Benefits

• Competitive pay, bonus programs, best in class medical insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and more.
• An above-market 401(k) contribution to help our eligible associates save for retirement.
• Generous company-paid holidays, paid time off, hybrid working arrangements, volunteer opportunities, seasonal hours, and flexible work schedules.
• A variety of wellbeing tools and programs such as, Headspace membership, reimbursement for fitness memberships and/or digital meditation subscriptions, and the opportunity to earn up to $200 a year in rewards for exercising and participating in healthy activities.
• Access to services for childcare, elder care, adoption preparation, pet care, plus reimbursement for backup care when your regular plans fall through.
• Receive support for continued education including tuition reimbursement.
• Shop at our company outlets and e-commerce sites at a discount.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees