Sr. Manager, Sales and Merchandise Excellence - West Region

NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP

Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) has been the premier destination for luxury fashion and goods, superior service, and an elevated retail experience for more than a century. Today, 9,000 associates contribute to the success of NMG's brands: Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, and Horchow. There are 38 full-line Neiman Marcus stores in cosmopolitan markets across the United States and a sophisticated digital platform that attracts shoppers worldwide. Bergdorf Goodman operates two stores in landmark locations on Fifth Avenue in New York City and BergdorfGoodman.com, catering to loyal luxury customers globally. NMG also owns five Last Call stores and Horchow.com, an e-commerce site that offers premium furniture and home decor.

As an organization, NMG is on a transformational journey to become the preeminent luxury customer platform. NMG continues to deliver the best integrated customer experience and has evolved the business to succeed in the ever-changing retail landscape. NMG is a relationship business. What differentiates the organization from other luxury retailers are its unique assets: a strong store footprint, the most knowledgeable associates, an engaging online experience, solid brand partnerships, innovative digital and in-store experiences, the most loyal luxury customer base, and a strong balance sheet.

Our customers will always be at the center of everything NMG does. The company continues to reinvest in new technologies that enhance the customer experience. NMG meets customers where they are. NMG's goal is to offer customers a seamless experience across its stores, online, and remote digital selling.

NMG's priority is to develop a highly engaged and high-performing team where everyone belongs. The business attracts and retains best-in-class talent through unique offerings provided to associates in addition to standard employer benefits. These include an innovative way of working, associate discounts on merchandise, tuition reimbursement, associate hardship fund, and paid time off to volunteer, to name a few.

As part of NMG's Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) work, the organization is focused on driving its core value of being "All Heart." NMG is also assessing its current environmental and social impact while developing a three-year plan to lead the luxury industry in its commitment and transparency to environmental and social sustainability. NMG strives to become an employer of choice, driven by a culture of Belonging. A dedicated team focuses on this journey, directly impacting how NMG conducts business throughout the workforce, workplace, and marketplace dimensions.

NMG has incredibly passionate and committed corporate and store associates. NMG offers associates an environment where everyone feels welcomed, nurtured, and empowered. Our associates are the heart of NMG. As an organization, NMG leads with love - love for customers, love for associates, and love for brand partners.

Summary Statement: The Senior Manager, Merchandising Excellence is responsible for driving regional merchandising needs and supporting sales planning, productivity and reporting for their respective region. The key outcome of their actions is to maximize sales growth and profitability goals. They will also be engaged in effective partnership and collaboration with key cross functional partners, including: Market General Managers, General Managers, Merchandising Buyers and Planners, Store Planning, Visual, Brand Experience, Client Development, Training, Retail Performance and Store Operations. The role will report to the Sr. Director, Merchandising and Sales Excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Drive Merchandising Excellence and Needs

• Delivers at both the high-level and granular level, maintaining detailed-level delivery of their respective stores in merchandising analysis, direction, and decisions; taking a proactive stance and approach
• Gathers, communicates and utilizes quantitative and qualitative insights with local knowledge and ground intelligence to frame and drive merchandising needs for their respective market and region
• Speaks to the Market approach and understands the seasonality of the Market; while influencing both in-store and Merchant organization to execute on Market strategies and recommendations
  • Develops Fashion Season Matrix in partnership with Merchants
  • Identifies gaps in Fashion Season Matrix
  • Analyzes e-commerce data to identify Market opportunities
• Identify gaps and opportunities to create powerful store assortments that meet customer needs and drive profitability
• Oversees feedback loop with merchant team to drive in-season monthly inventory rebalancing recommendations and execution with merchandising and store partners
• Owns the analysis of sales floor productivity at the store level, connecting floor plans with productivity of space to optimize buying operations in collaboration with Divisional Merchandise Managers and Buyers

Key Cross Functional Responsibilities

• Provide actionable insights for stores and cross functional teams to accelerate winning business drivers or take action on opportunities and gaps by region/market
• Spend time with store leaders to get to know their needs and "be of service" to them to lead their business through people vs. product
• Support the seasonal and annual financial planning progress and any reforecasting needs
• Create and lead the merchandise strategy for Market events
  • Executes Market events with store partners, visual and brand experience, focusing on customer experience and brand elevation
• Works with the Regional Visual team to inform merchandising opportunities and maintain cohesive statements
• Supports sales projections for store remodel, brand shop and minor works projects

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience, Retail or Fashion-related preferred
• Experience as a business consultant and leader with an entrepreneurial spirit
• 4-year degree preferred
• Advanced business acumen and analytical skills
• Previous experience navigating complex business problems, collaborating with leads across corporate functions, presenting at the executive level, working with corporate business partners, and leading cross-functional large-scale initiatives
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• "Win together" mentality
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office Product Suite, specifically Excel
• Certain roles may require standing, bending, climbing stairs, and lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds
• Associates must be willing to work a flexible schedule based on business need, which will include evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Must reside in a significant NM store market area or metro area or work onsite out of a high-volume store within the respective region
• Travel may be required, up to 50%