Director, Merchandise & Retail Jobs

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a member of the Fan Experience & Concessions Department of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Director, Merchandise & Retail is responsible for leading the operation and direction of the Blue Jays Merchandise and Retail portfolio for the Toronto Blue Jays. The incumbent will report directly to the VP, Fan Experience & Concessions and will focus on building the Blue Jays merchandise & retail business to maximize revenue, while ensuring the programs reflect the brand and larger business objectives of the organization. This role requires a leader able to work in and foster a collaborative culture across internal departments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Oversee the strategy, development, and implementation of priorities and business plans for the Toronto Blue Jays Merchandise and Retail operations – with a high-level impact on overall organization brand, sales, and strategic objectives

• Lead, engage and support merchandise, retail, and warehouse full and part time teams to achieve

P&L deliverables, provide an exciting range of products and best-in-class experience for fans

• Responsible for team engagement, development, coaching and succession planning for direct and indirect reports

• Work collaboratively with the Sr. Manager Buying & Planning and Manager, Retail, to oversee Toronto Blue Jays distribution centres for all game day, non-game day and concert events (Team Shops and 12+ in-stadium kiosks)

• Lead the department on processes related to staffing, training, planning, and capital improvements

• Ensure development of necessary systems, processes, and infrastructure to execute on merchandising and retail strategies (e.g., POS system upgrades, supply chain management, distribution, and mobile ordering)

• Work collaboratively across internal departments to plan and execute a best-in-class retail experience, with a priority focus on retail in upcoming renovated spaces

• Lead the annual research into best practice in sports and live event retail operations

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key strategic vendor partnerships, the extended vendor community, MLB team partners and Major League Baseball

• Contribute to creating and maintaining a collaborative culture across internal departments and game day teams

Buying & Planning

• Work alongside the Sr. Manager, Buying & Planning, and support the development and execution of buying plan and allocation of product to retail stores

• Oversee the annual budget, P&L ownership, and budgeted inventory levels through close collaboration with internal department stakeholders

• Accountable pricing strategies, gross profit and markdown actions with input and recommendation from buying and planning team

• Support the Sr. Manager, Buying & Planning to ensure the management of the distribution centres is accurate and efficient in receiving and distributing of merchandise necessary to operate a profitable retail business

Retail Operations

• Work alongside Manager, Retail, to support the development of retail operations team and day-to-day execution of Toronto Blue Jays Team Shop

• Accountable to analyze daily sales – game day and non-game day, P&L ownership, and budgeted inventory levels through close collaboration with internal department stakeholders

• Lead retail operations in a collaborative manner working closely with all departments across the organization

• Oversee planning for retail pricing and promotions and work closely and collaboratively with Marketing, Events, Promotions and Game Entertainment teams to ensure all retail promotions are in line with seasonal promotions and events calendar and the Blue Jays brand

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Background and Experience

• 8-10 years of relevant work experience in merchandising, financial planning, replenishment management and retail operations management, preferably in sports and/or entertainment

• Post-secondary education preferred in business or retail/merchandise related field

• Proven leadership experience in a collaborative cross-functional team environment

• Experience with developing and executing strategic plans in a multi-operation retail environment

• Experience in customer service required

• Experience in departmental budgeting and financial accountability required

• Strong knowledge of end-to-end retail business principles, practices, and operations

• Highly effective prioritization and ability to multitask in a fast-paced, results driven environment

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to report on business and make informed decisions

• Confident and effective communication skills – interpersonal, written and verbal

• Demonstrates initiative and openness to feedback

• Knowledge of the game of baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays a necessity

• Creative, assertive, confident, and results-oriented

Other Requirements

• Must be available for all Blue Jays home games and Rogers Centre concerts/events, with the ability and willingness to work other evenings, weekends and holidays throughout the year as required

• Must be able to sustain long physical days

• Legally able to work in Canada