Sr Manager, Brand Merchandising - Ulta Beauty, Inc.

Overview:

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,300 stores throughout the U.S. and an innovative omni-channel ecosystem, Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. Ulta Beauty is expanding its digital capabilities, opening new stores on a continual basis and re-designing existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences. We’re not just growing, we’re thriving through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to re-imagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.

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POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Brand Manager is responsible for driving development strategy and building the assortment within their category to maximize sales, margin, and inventory and space productivity.  In partnership with the merchants and merchandise planning team, they manage key business area within their division. They will also manage key departmental &/or divisional projects for the entire team.  They will represent and support the DMM/VP in their absence. Responsible to mentor, coach and develop team members.

 

 

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

Business Area Strategy:

• Leads the development and execution of the business area strategy through category review process.  Manages individual business area and provides input and direction on categories managed by direct reports.  
• Participate in long-range merchandising and financial strategy.  Includes partnering with Merchants and Merchandise Planning & Inventory on offer, pricing and inventory strategies. 

 

Product Development:

• Responsible for Product Roadmap development and flow for new launches.  Responsible to help direct reports oversee the following areas of development:
• Develop category strategy and manage team's product flow, apply critical thinking skills to develop logical sequence for launches and articulate to team the reasons why
• Product Roadmap management
• Product briefs
• Strategic product sourcing & vendor management
• Responsible for product testing & regulatory
• Product Performance Testing: Evaluate testing results and determine next step and direction to manufacturers
• Product Packaging: Work with direct reports and design manager on primary and secondary package design.
• Execution for Launch

 

Marketing:

• Responsible for development and execution for marketing initiatives.
• Work directly with the DMM/VP and Marketing on overall marketing strategy for category/categories. 
• Oversee team:
• Key launch 360 marketing plans
• Dotcom Brand Store Strategy
• Sampling and CRM Strategy
• Oversee UBC role in corporate marketing initiatives
• In-store Merchandising: Collaborate with buyers on securing and developing off-shelf placement and required marketing collateral
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Trend:

• Proactively assess and monitor the competitive landscape and marketplace to determine potential opportunities or threats

 

Planograms:

• Oversee direct reports’ development and execution of planogram:
• Additions and discontinuations for each set
• Fixture development as needed
• Graphics for planogram in partnership with marketing
• Final round proofing of planogram and graphic strips
• Partner with Merchant on long range planogram thinking for sku movement, fixture development, and discontinuations
• Partner with Merchandise Planning & Inventory and Merchants to forward look at potential deletes and inventory position to maximize productivity and profitability

 

Analyze:

• Proactively assess and monitor the competitive landscape and marketplace to determine potential opportunities or threats and develop strategies to address

 

Values:

• Exemplifies Ulta Beauty's core values within role. Ulta Values are quality and timely decision making, continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, coaching and developing, planning and prioritizing, communication. 
• Rallies the team to align to Ulta's cultural principals.

 

Continuous Improvement:

• Complete on-going training and development courses supported by the HR Training Team or the Merchandise Operations Training Team.

 

Collaboration:

• Act as lead in the development and maintenance of internal and external relationships, including Distribution Centers, eCommerce, Marketing, Operations, Planning & Allocation, Stores and brand partners.

 

Vendor Management:

• Act as a lead to manage the vendor portfolio, performance, and relationships to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives. 
• Have baseline understanding of key metrics, where supplier sits in the matrix and who we will partner with for strategic suppliers.

 

Negotiation:

• Negotiate vendor terms, item costs, exclusivity, newness or exits to support the financial plans and strategy for key brand partners.

 

Leadership:

• Mentor, coach, and develop direct report(s) to position them for success and promotability. 
• As needed, be an active participant in cross-functional teams on enterprise level projects.

 

 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Depending upon organizational structure, there may be some additional tasks as needed by the business.

 

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REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

 

• Education: Bachelors degree required
• Work Experience: 8+ years total experience in product development or retail.  Strongly prefer candidates that have financial planning or inventory in their background.
• Management Experience: Must have direct report management experience
• Skills: Strong organizational skills required. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Proficiency with Microsoft Office.  Knowledge of SAP and SAP Hana a plus. Creative problem solver.  Professionalism and confidentiality required.  Passion for the business.  High energy innovation leader.  Strong financial aptitude and analytical ability. Capability to lead brand meetings and presentations. Proven leadership skills in communication, teamwork, collaboration and relationship building. Demonstrates enterprise thinking and proficiency across buying or merchandise planning or inventory assignments. Strategic thinker with strong business acumen. Strong negotiation skills. Strong merchandising, forecasting and financial skills. Experienced in leading direct reports.
• Working Conditions: Some travel required.  Hybrid role based out of Bolingbrook, IL. 

 :The pay range for this position is $100,900.00 - $136,200.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page: https://learn.bswift.com/ultaAbout:

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

 

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.