Merchandise Planner Jobs in Tennessee

Job Title: Executive Director, Merchandising (Cokesbury) Company: United Methodist Publishing Ho Location: Nashville, TN Description: MAJOR DUTIES: Provides strategic direction for all merchandising activities for the Cokesbury sales channels and directs the merchandising planning process and execution of all outside buying and merchandising aspects, including the development of pricing, promotions, mark downs, and placement of products based on performance, for multiple product categories and businesses in order to achieve revenue and margin growth objectives. Responsible for the acquisition and management of multiple outside product lines in books, curriculum, church resources and supplies and gifts to ensure a constant pool of products that meet the needs of the congregations served by Cokesbury. Directly manages Merchandising, acquisition of outside new products, Vendor Negotiations (including Co-op Advertising), Margin Management, and coordination of Product Training needs with outside publishers. Establishes the overall strategy and merchandise direction for the company, including creation of relevant multi-channel experiences for product categories based on customer feedback and insight, collaborating across Cokesbury channels. Directs product placement, merchandising/sales promotions strategies, and seasonal marketing campaigns to build sales and create incremental profitable growth. Ensures promotional execution accuracy (pricing, ads, deals, experience, etc.). Visits Cokesbury store locations to evaluate merchandising programs. Develops and implements plans for responding to anticipated market changes and business trends. Supports service provider merchandising activities. Maintains and updates knowledge of Christian product market through analysis of UMPH product sales, discussion of national/regional product trends with vendors/publishers, personal research, and attending exhibitions, book fairs, and other publisher-sponsored events. REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelor's degree in a related field, and at least ten (10) years of increasingly responsible Merchandising and Buying experience with a nationally branded retailer, including experience with buying, planning, product placement, modeling, marketing research, and conducting presentations. A Master's degree, or MBA, is preferred. Online merchandising experience is also preferred. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and verbal and written communication skills. Excellent leadership, organization, attention to detail, and time management skills. Excellent analytical skills, including financial and marketing analysis. Ability to prioritize, take initiative, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment, while effectively managing, coaching, and mentoring a large cross-functional team. Excellent personal computer skills, including advanced proficiency with spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel preferred) and intermediate proficiency with word processing and presentation software (Microsoft Word and PowerPoint preferred). Solid understanding of the Christian market and strong knowledge of Christian publishing is preferred. Please include a minimum salary expectation with your submission. The United Methodist Publishing House (Abingdon Press, Cokesbury) is a publisher, wholesaler, retailer, and distributor of ecumenical Christian resources for the church and for the broader community of faith.

Job Title: Executive Director, Merchandising Company: Location: Nashville, TN Description: MAJOR DUTIES: Provides strategic direction for all merchandising activities for the Cokesbury sales channels and directs the merchandising planning process and execution of all outside buying and merchandising aspects, including the development of pricing, promotions, mark downs, and placement of products based on performance, for multiple product categories and businesses in order to achieve revenue and margin growth objectives. Responsible for the acquisition and management of multiple outside product lines in books, curriculum, church resources and supplies and gifts to ensure a constant pool of products that meet the needs of the congregations served by Cokesbury. Directly manages Merchandising, acquisition of outside new products, Vendor Negotiations (including Co-op Advertising), Margin Management, and coordination of Product Training needs with outside publishers. Establishes the overall strategy and merchandise direction for the company, including creation of relevant multi-channel experiences for product categories based on customer feedback and insight, collaborating across Cokesbury channels. Directs product placement, merchandising/sales promotions strategies, and seasonal marketing campaigns to build sales and create incremental profitable growth. Ensures promotional execution accuracy (pricing, ads, deals, experience, etc.). Visits Cokesbury store locations to evaluate merchandising programs. Develops and implements plans for responding to anticipated market changes and business trends. Supports service provider merchandising activities. Maintains and updates knowledge of Christian product market through analysis of UMPH product sales, discussion of national/regional product trends with vendors/publishers, personal research, and attending exhibitions, book fairs, and other publisher-sponsored events. REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelor?s degree in a related field, and at least ten (10) years of increasingly responsible Merchandising and Buying experience with a nationally branded retailer, including experience with buying, planning, product placement, modeling, marketing research, and conducting presentations. A Master?s degree, or MBA, is preferred. Online merchandising experience is also preferred. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and verbal and written communication skills. Excellent leadership, organization, attention to detail, and time management skills. Excellent analytical skills, including financial and marketing analysis. Ability to prioritize, take initiative, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment, while effectively managing, coaching, and mentoring a large cross-functional team. Excellent personal computer skills, including advanced proficiency with spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel preferred) and intermediate proficiency with word processing and presentation software (Microsoft Word and PowerPoint preferred). Solid understanding of the Christian market and strong knowledge of Christian publishing is preferred. APPLICATION PROCESS: Please email cover letter, resume, and/or any other supporting documentation to Register to View or fax to Register to View . Please include a minimum salary expectation with your submission. UMPH Employment Office 201 Eighth Avenue South P.O. Box 801 Nashville, TN 37202 Register to View www.umph.org www.abingdonpress.com www.cokesbury.com The United Methodist Publishing House (Abingdon Press, Cokesbury) is a publisher, wholesaler, retailer, and distributor of ecumenical Christian resources for the church and for the broader community of faith.