Title: Divisional Merchandise Manager - Tools, Lawn & Garden

Type: Full Time

Duration: Permanent

Education Four Year Degree

Experience: 5-10 Years

Location: Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA, 60179

Sears Holdings Management Corporation provides corporate services to Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) and its family of companies. Sears Holdings Corporation, the parent company of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co., is the nation's fourth largest broad-line retailer with over $50 billion in annual revenues and approximately 3,800 Full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. We are the leading home appliance, lawn & garden and tools retailer in the U.S. and operate the largest home services business in the nation. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith, Martha Stewart Everyday and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. We are committed to improving the lives of our customers by providing quality services, products and solutions that earn their trust and build lifetime relationships.

The Division Merchandise Manager (DMM) provides leadership and direction to the buying staff on the preparation of assortment plans that align with the merchandise strategy and support seasonal merchandise plans. The position oversees merchandise selection, ensures performance to plan and coordinates overall merchandise strategies. Responsible for developing and executing a profitable, customer-focused merchandising strategy, while enhancing the overall department, group and company strategy. This position reports directly to the Vice President/General Merchandise Manager and leads an organization of buying professionals. This associate works closely with the planning team, promotional planning team, merchandise placement team and merchant operations team to significantly improve the profitability and maximize shareholder value.

Qualifications:

Responsibilities

• Leverages tops-down direction to set the overall strategy and merchandise direction for the division

• Anticipates market/business trends and develops a plan for response

• Directs assortment selection process and reviews assortments for balance (brands, key items, core items, etc.) and adherence to strategic and financial objectives

• Oversees/participates in market visits

• Establishes and maintains effective vendor relationships and works with the buyers to strengthen market relationships and product and trend knowledge

• Understands competitors strengths, weaknesses and strategies

• Accountable for merchandise division performance, recommends revisions to the merchandise plan/forecast based on sound analysis and ensures corrective actions are implemented

• Works with the planning organization to develop assortment plans that support overall strategy of in-stock positioning for key merchandise categories, classifications, items and vendors

• Establishes collaborative relationships with placement to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise

• Executes needed approvals for the team

• Resolves escalated buyer and associate buyer issues

• Coaches and develops Buyers, Associate Buyers and Buyer's Assistant ensuring growth and readiness for next level position.

• Drives compliance and standards with processes, policies and tools within the group

• Partners with marketing and in-store marketing to develop the division/line promotional strategy

• Reviews and approves the promotional plans

• Oversees and approves line reviews Skill/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a four year college or university; or four years related experience and/ or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• 5 - 10 years related merchandising experience, 6 - 8 years with a mix of buying, planning and placement responsibilities

• Strong analytic skills

• Motivation to meet or exceed plan

• Proven negotiation skills

• Financial analysis capability

• Ability to manage a large team and drive results through others

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to develop strong partnerships

• Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization

Benefits:

As a Sears professional, your career path options will be determined by your performance as well as your desire to advance further within Sears organization.

And you'll get some of the best benefits in the industry:

-Medical, Dental and Legal Plans

-Associate Stock Purchase Plan

-Flexible Spending Accounts

-Associate Discounts

-Group Universal Life Insurance

-Long-Term Disability Insurance

-Long-Term Care Insurance

-Business Travel Accident Insurance

-Short-Term Disability

-Vacation/Personal and National Holidays

-WorkLife Solutions

Please Note:

Different eligibility rules apply to certain benefits. Some businesses do not offer all benefits shown.

A comprehensive and competitive benefit program is designed to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Benefits eligibility depends on employment classification, location, and other variables.

Benefits offered include:

• Medical and Dental Plans

• Health Care and Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Accounts

• Short and Long-Term Disability

• Company Paid and Optional Life Insurance

• Business Travel Insurance

• Merchandise Discount

• Adoption Assistance

• Kmart Advantage Rx

• ConSern Loans for Education

• Worklife Solutions

• Voluntary Benefits

• Commuter Benefits

• Sears Holdings Corporation Associate Stock Purchase Plan

• 401(k) Savings Plan

• Vacation Time with Personal Days

• National Holidays

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

How to apply:

Please copy and paste the following link into your browser address bar:

http://appclix.postmasterlx.com/track.html?pid=ff80808120ff30bd0121ee7608833d56&source=buyj