JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Merchandise Manager is responsible for effectively leading and managing operating strategies of retail locations; meeting department, property, and company objectives and goals. These responsibilities will be performed in a manner consistent with the mission, vision, operating philosophies and standards of the Dollywood Company.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage department operating budget and P&L, ensuring expense and revenue goals are managed and exceeded. Includes initiating timely actions in response to business fluctuations.
- Oversees the daily operation of Merchandise retail shops, production shops and leased retail locations.
- Directly oversees Merchandise Supervisors and ensures that teamwork within the Merchandise Division is promoted and utilized.
- Develop, and work through Supervisors to implement, effective daily operating plan and operating standards.
- Hire, train, develop, and evaluate designated retail staff.
- Develop and implement department training standards and programs.
- Develop and implement long term host development and enrichment programs.
- Establish and implement processes departmentally and at the shop level, designed to ensure maximized operational efficiencies.
- Develop and manage corrective action plans for sales and leadership staff when necessary.
- Manage all aspects of product flow within the operation to ensure effective processes are followed to ensure appropriate stock levels and to minimize stock loss.
- Direct and Manage division Inventory Control function.
- Develop, budget, financials for assigned area Merchandise division.
- Communicate, monitor and measure daily and weekly results and react proactively to achieve sales goals.
- Effectively communicates information to all levels of leadership.
- Communicate, govern, and reinforce department visual display standards and general shop appearance standards, in accordance with department guidelines.
- Manage department cash handling and credit card information and loss prevention methods to comply with Property Procedures and Purchasing Card industry (PCI) standards.
- Manage department staffing and scheduling function to maintain appropriate staffing levels in accordance with business needs and budgetary limitations.
- Maintain positive relationships and thorough communications with other teams on park.
- Develop and implement host relations programs for division, designed to achieve staff enthusiasm, morale and retention.
- Develops and implements programs that enhance the guest experience.
- Manages divisional safety to assure proper training, audits and investigations are completed in a timely manner in order to maintain Dollywood safety standards.
- Schedule accordingly with supervisors/department leadership to ensure park-wide coverage during operating hours, set-up, inventory, etc.
- Ensures that all job duties are performed in a reasonable and safe manner for both guests and employees.
- Participate in the department leadership “Duty” shift rotation including PIC and HIC duties.
- Perform job duties of subordinate departmental roles as necessary.
- Ensures proper handling of customer credit card information in compliance with Property procedures and purchasing card industry (PCI) standards.
- Management reserves the right to change and/or add to these duties at any time.
Required Skills
PERSONALITY/ATTITUDE REQUIREMENTS
- Able to project Dollywood’s image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in their work.
- Must be self-motivated and disciplined.
- Must be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis.
- Must maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information.
- Must display and live out our Lead with Love principles by being: patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.
- Must be willing to constantly improve.
- Must have professional appearance with good personal hygiene.
- Must promote and support a “team” work environment by cooperating and helping co-workers.
- Must adapt to changes easily.
- Must enjoy a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Must show appreciation to others.
- Must be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to take action to meet their needs within company guidelines.
- Must be able to communicate consistently and effectively through entire team to ensure standards and expectations are clarified department wide.
- Must be able to successfully liaison with Dollywood Merchandise Leadership team to ensure effective teamwork.
- Must be able to successfully liaison with Dollywood Management and HFE Corporate team to ensure projects are completed.
- Must have high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS NECESSARY TO PERFORM JOB DUTIES
- Able to display and live out our Lead with Love principles strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture by being: patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.
- Able to hear, see and speak.
- Able to speak, read and write English
- Able to analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
- Able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals.
- Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and general public. .
- Able to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
- Able to smile and make eye contact to make a friendly impression when greeting guests, vendors and other employees.
- Must have manual dexterity necessary to complete all job duties.
- Able to sit and/or stand for long/short periods.
- Able to maintain good personal hygiene.
- Able to get along with other employees to work out problems and resolve conflicts.
- Able to maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Able to be flexible to handle frequent changes in priorities.
- Able to prioritize tasks and complete assignments on time.
- Able to work in temperatures of 0 to 100 degrees.
- Able to work outdoors.
- Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Able to comprehend instructions and retain information.
Required Experience
EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
- Minimum of five (5) years’ retail operations or buying experience is required.
- At least five (5) years’ experience in managing multiple retail outlets is required.
- Strong leadership and team building skills.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in coaching and developing teams.
- Requires thorough knowledge of accounts payable functions.
- Strong business acumen with success in driving business growth and profitability.
- Excellent analytical/problem solving skills.
- Working knowledge of Excel, Word Perfect, Power Point, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Merchandise POS and inventory systems; experience with Pronto software is a plus. Knowledge of Time Force or another labor management system a plus.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong time management and organizational skills with high sense of urgency.
- Ability to multi-task and adapt well to change.
- Ability to work well with all levels of management, build partnerships and manage teams.
- Driver’s License and proof of insurance required.
- Must be able to pass a post-employment offer background check.