Go To Market Director - Aerie Canada

POSITION TITLE:  DIRECTOR, GO TO MARKET (GTM) AERIE CANADA

REPORTS TO:  COUNTRY MANAGER, CANADA

DOTTED LINE REPORTING:  SVP Aerie Planning (in the US)

STATUS:  FULL-TIME

POSITION SUMMARY:  

As the Go To Market (GTM) lead for Aerie in Canada, you are ultimately responsible for leveraging the US assortment and deviating where necessary to create the best commercial outcome for Aerie in Canada. You will be an expert on our Aerie 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 (Stores and Digital) for Aerie in Canada and influence Merchandising and Planning at the right time in the process to ensure you can execute the plan.  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 Planning and 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 providing clear recommendations for Canadian ticket pricing, ensuring we strike the balance between our company requirements and our customers’ expectations
• Find trends in data and turn your insight in to action
• Create simple effective deviations from the US approach only in cases where the return will outweigh the cost ($ and complexity)
• Work with the Aerie Planning and Merch teams in the US, to ensure Canada deviations  in assortment and promotions are aligned to the brand calendar
• Deviations in assortment communicated and managed through from the “Must Have list” deadline all the way through the calendar to floorset sign off
• Buy - input the deviations in rankings for the critical differences
• Promo - ensure Canada holiday timings and other market relevant periods are planned effectively
• Partner with Business Strategy team to ensure promotional calendars online and in-store are serving the Canadian market needs
• Represent Canada in all financial milestone meetings, (inclusive of hindsight, MPC, FLR) identifying the critical topics that impact Canada
• Play an active and collaborative role in the Canada senior leadership team, helping to develop the strategic plan on an ongoing basis
• Agree Annual and Seasonal plans for Aerie by channel and division, and work with Buying and Planning in the US to ensure most up to date and accurate MPC plan
• Fully understand Aerie Global brand strategy, and consistently keep Canada SLT informed on current performance vs strategy
• Represent Aerie Canada within the AEO organization, attending critical touchpoints in the PLC, bringing concise market insight
• 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
• Leadership of GTM Aerie Manager, splitting the GTM tasks in an appropriate way to ensure the Manager is able to grow in their role
• 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 online Retail, with Canadian experience preferred 
• Knowledge of specialty retail, with footwear/clothing experience preferred
• Extensive knowledge of emerging trends in customer behavior
• 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 in the Brand calendar

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.