VP, Merchandising

CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS LLC•Austin, TX

About The Position

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a 365-entertainment destination for world-class events in Austin, TX. The sports and entertainment portfolio at COTA is unmatched nationwide, with the Formula 1 US Grand Prix, NASCAR, and MotoGP attracting global fans during championship races on the famed Circuit. Live Nation produces over 30 headline concerts every year at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Opening this year, COTALAND is an amusement park situated alongside the Racetrack, featuring two first-of-their-kind roller coasters and over three dozen rides. Job Description: The VP of Merchandising oversees all aspects of merchandising operations at COTALAND and Circuit of The Americas, including in-park operations – kiosks, shops, warehousing, shipping and receiving, and inventory management. This key role is a strategic, visionary leader responsible for defining and executing the comprehensive merchandise strategy to drive significant sales growth, enhance profitability, and strengthen brand positioning. The VP oversees the entire product lifecycle, from strategic assortment planning and global sourcing to inventory optimization and compelling in-store and digital presentations. The VP will leverage deep market insights, consumer behavior analytics, and best-in-class merchandising practices to create a highly compelling product offering. This executive will lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing merchandising team, fostering collaboration across all departments to achieve ambitious business objectives.

Requirements

Develop and implement merchandising strategies that align with the company's overall business objectives for the Theme Park.
Lead the end-to-end process of product selection, development, and category management, ensuring assortments are optimized for customer needs, profitability, and brand consistency.
Manage product assortment, including selection, pricing, and placement.
Develop, manage, and hold accountability for significant merchandising budgets, forecasts, and financial planning, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
Drive informed decision-making by continuously analyzing sales data, market trends, competitor activities, and deep customer insights.
Develop and execute dynamic pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability, sales volume, and market competitiveness.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., buying, marketing, operations) to ensure seamless execution of merchandising initiatives.
Build and nurture strong, strategic relationships with global vendors and suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and pricing to ensure product quality and competitive advantage.
Negotiate with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing.
Oversee robust inventory management practices, including forecasting, allocation, and control, to ensure optimal stock levels and minimize excess inventory.
Manage inventory levels and optimize stock flow across all channels (in-park, online, etc.).
Oversee the performance of merchandising team members and provide coaching, development, & succession planning.
Maintain up to date on industry trends and best practices.
Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business, or a related field.
Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in merchandising management, preferably in a theme park or sporting venue.
Proven ability to inspire, lead, and develop diverse, high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Strong judgment in identifying and nurturing talent.
Exceptional strategic thinking with the ability to translate complex market dynamics into actionable merchandising plans.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Drives the team and the organization to achieve and exceed bottom-line performance targets, demonstrating decisive and timely decision-making.
Strong understanding of retail operations and customer behavior.
Experience with inventory management systems and supply chain processes.
Experience with point-of-sale (POS) systems and customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Responds quickly and effectively to changing market trends and business circumstances, embraces change, and integrates new perspectives.
Superior ability to organize complex projects, manage processes, and optimize workflows to ensure efficient execution.

Nice To Haves

Preferably 4 years’ experience with a thorough knowledge of Merchandising with Theme Parks
Certification in merchandising or retail management (Preferred)

Responsibilities

Develop and implement merchandising strategies that align with the company's overall business objectives for the Theme Park.
Lead the end-to-end process of product selection, development, and category management, ensuring assortments are optimized for customer needs, profitability, and brand consistency.
Manage product assortment, including selection, pricing, and placement.
Develop, manage, and hold accountability for significant merchandising budgets, forecasts, and financial planning, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
Drive informed decision-making by continuously analyzing sales data, market trends, competitor activities, and deep customer insights.
Develop and execute dynamic pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability, sales volume, and market competitiveness.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., buying, marketing, operations) to ensure seamless execution of merchandising initiatives.
Build and nurture strong, strategic relationships with global vendors and suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and pricing to ensure product quality and competitive advantage.
Negotiate with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing.
Oversee robust inventory management practices, including forecasting, allocation, and control, to ensure optimal stock levels and minimize excess inventory.
Manage inventory levels and optimize stock flow across all channels (in-park, online, etc.).
Oversee the performance of merchandising team members and provide coaching, development, & succession planning.
Maintain up to date on industry trends and best practices.