Merchandising Manager - Product Development

About Gap Inc.

Our brands bridge the gaps we see in the world. Old Navy democratizes style to ensure everyone has access to quality fashion at every price point. Athleta unleashes the potential of every woman, regardless of body size, age or ethnicity. Banana Republic believes in sustainable luxury for all. And Gap inspires the world to bring individuality to modern, responsibly made essentials.    

This simple idea-that we all deserve to belong, and on our own terms-is core to who we are as a company and how we make decisions. Our teamis made up of thousands of people across the globe who take risks, think big, and do good for our customers, communities, and the planet. Ready to  learn fast, create with audacity and lead boldly? Join our team.

About the role

The Merchandise Manager of Product Development will be responsible and accountable for monitoring the entire product development pipeline from development through to order placement by driving product excellence in the delivery, quality, cost and service level agreement required of external and internal customers. S/he will also be responsible for product innovation and proposing cost saving opportunities that are aligned with sourcing and vendor strategies cascaded by Category Sourcing team. S/he will also be responsible for bringing in new vendors to support the delivery of our business strategy and growth plan.

• • Manages garment and product development processes in a timely manner
    
  • Manages development sampling and initial costs
    
  • Ensures product execution meets the design aesthetic as well as commercially acceptable quality standards
    
  • Escalates quality issues to the Category Sourcing team
    
  • Works with vendors/tech team to ensure VDA for lab dips and ensure VDA for fits/sampling changes
  • Manage vendor relationship and new vendor on-boarding training
    
  • Manages vendor loading in capacity process
  • Monitors vendor performance and cost negotiation with vendors
  • Manages and facilitates major claim settlement between customers and suppliers
  • Executes the continuous improvement process for programs identified within his/her purview.
  • Manages, trains &
    
    and coaches the team to be customer-focused, innovative, fast and team-oriented in their work
    

Who you are

• Merchandise Sourcing knowledge - Experience in sample development/production follow up and with direct factory production exposure; Good knowledge of construction and testing requirement
  
• Customer Impact & Business Acumen - proven capability in understanding financial measurements and implications to product development. Ability to understand the target customer and knowledge of product trends
  
• Planning & Execution - proven experience in plan, prioritize and adapt to change while achieving and maintaining results for multiple projects
  
• Problem Solver & Drive Results - can see a problem from multiple angles and provide viable, innovative options for resolution; successfully lead complex negotiations
  
• Talent Builder & Empowerment - experience in leading teams and developing talent
  
• Excellent Communicator - proven capability to communicate and present effectively in adaption to the audience needs.
  

Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. This year, we've been named as one of the Best Places to Work by the Humans Rights Campaign for the fourteenth consecutive year and have been included in the 2019 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the second year in a row.