Go To Market Director - AE Merchandising, Canada

POSITION TITLE:  Go To Market (GTM) Director Merchandising AE Canada

REPORTS TO:  Country Manager, Canada

DOTTED LINE REPORTS TO:  SVP AE Chief Product Officer (in the US)

STATUS:  Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY: 

As the Go To Market (GTM) Merchandising lead for AE in Canada, you are ultimately responsible for taking the building blocks from our US team and creating the best commercial outcome for AE in Canada. You will be an expert on our AE customer in Canada and fully understand the product categories, the competition, the promotional environment and all the trends in Canada retail.  You will use your expertise to develop a commercial plan for AE Canada and influence US Merchandising at the right time in the process to ensure you can assort the most relevant product at the right price for our Canadian customer. Most of all, you will represent our Company values and bring your REAL self to work every day.

DOTTED LINE MANAGER RELATIONSHIP: 

Your regular reporting line will be to the Country Manager Canada, and you will be connected to the US Merchandising organization through a dotted line. Your dotted line manager’s responsibility will be to ensure you receive functional support and training, and to include you on all relevant communications and milestones to set you up for success in your role. Your dotted line manager will work with your manager on setting objectives and reviewing performance on a monthly basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• You will be responsible for Canadian pricing (ticket), ensuring we strike the balance between our company requirements and our customers’ expectations
• Work with the AE Merchandising team in the US, to ensure Canada deviations in assortment and promotions are efficiently worked in to the brand T&A calendar
• Find trends in data and turn your insight in to action
• Play an active and collaborative role in the Canada senior leadership team, helping to develop the strategic plan on an ongoing basis
• Partner with Business Strategy team to ensure promotional calendar is serving the Canadian market needs
• Together with the Planning GTM Director, agree Annual and Seasonal targets for AE by channel and division, and work with Buying and Planning to ensure we are adjusting and re-forecasting throughout the year
• Fully understand AE Global brand strategy, and consistently keep Canada SLT informed on current performance vs strategy
• Represent AE Canada within the AEO organization, attending critical touchpoints in the PLC, bringing concise market insight
• Create simple effective deviations from the US approach only in cases where the return will outweigh the cost ($ and complexity)
• Leadership of GTM AE Merchandising Manager (once hired), splitting the GTM tasks in appropriate way to ensure the Manager is able to grow in their role
• Uphold Company values by contributing to a positive work environment
• Understand and adhere to all Company policies and procedures located in the AEO Associate Handbook
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned

PERSONAL TRAITS:

• Commitment to understand the role and become the best GTM Director you can be
• Executive presence
• Have an opinion, be able to share it concisely, listen to others, and have the ability to commit to the group decision, even if not your view
• Ability to recognize multiple opportunities and prioritize the most impactful
• Humility
• Self-awareness
• Growth mindset - desire to learn and develop your knowledge and skills
• Listening skills - bring curiosity and listen in order to learn
• Self-motivated - doesn’t need to be consistently watched and governed
• Leadership - able to inspire, inform, guide, coach and make others be the best they can be

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree, 5-10 years background in Merchandising, with some planning experience preferred 
• Background in clothing retail, with Canadian experience preferred
• Familiarity with AEO systems and processes a benefit
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team
• Proven history of working with senior leaders to achieve your goals

LOCATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Remote, with an ability to travel to Canadian provinces, New York and Pittsburgh as required
• Must be able to make in-person critical milestones

PAY/BENEFITS INFORMATION:

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service.  For additional information, please click here.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.