Division Merchandise Manager, Apparel

What you'll do:

As a DMM for Women's Apparel, you will be responsible for developing and executing merchandise strategies that elevate brand positioning, drive financial performance, and deliver compelling customer experiences. This includes owning product-level P&L, curating assortments, and influencing cross-functional teams through constant change.

• Strategic Leadership: Define and execute category vision aligned with Kroger's brand and Our Brands initiatives.
• Assortment Planning: Curate commercially viable assortments across in-store and online channels.
• Financial Performance: Drive sales growth, manage budgets, and optimize profitability.
• Trend Forecasting: Analyze market trends, customer insights, and sales data to inform purchasing decisions.
• Innovation: Identify new opportunities for growth and differentiation.
• Vendor Management: Build strong vendor relationships, negotiate terms, and ensure timely delivery.
• Inventory Optimization: Monitor stock levels, adjust assortments, and minimize markdowns.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Influence and lead teams across merchandising, marketing, planning, and product development.
• Marketing & Promotion: Oversee ad plans, display strategies, and storytelling through content and catalogs.
• Private Label Development: Partner with Corporate Brands to enhance private label offerings.

We're looking for a strategic leader with a passion for fashion, data and a customer-centric approach to merchandising. Someone who is highly adaptable to change, thrives in fast-paced environments, and can inspire teams.

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field
• 6-10 years of merchandising/operations management experience
• Proven success in omni-channel merchandising across wholesale, specialty, mass, and DTC retailers
• Experience with both in-store and digital channels (5-8 years digital)
• Strong financial acumen and P&L ownership
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and change
• Experience in content creation and storytelling
• Experience with private label and wholesale strategies

Responsible for setting and executing overall merchandising, marketing, assortment and vendor strategy for a GM department or sub-departments. Develop annual sub-department budget for each division; accountable for meeting sales and profit goals. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.Minimum

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field, plus 6-10 years merchandise/operations manager experience; or combination of relevant education and experience
• Familiarity with merchandising techniques
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Accuracy/attention to detail
• Ability to organize/prioritize tasks/projects
• Familiarity with industry/technical terms and processes
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Report Management and Distribution System (RMDS), and Dallas

• Familiarity with commodity markets
• Experience directing/participating on project teams

• Work with Planners and/or DMM Planning on annual budgets for department sales and profit for each division
• Direct and approve selection of assortment; supervises overall fashion procurement
• Achieve period and annual budgets for department sales and profit; develops strategic plans, including regional plans as needed, that focus on achieving financial goals set for the company and each division
• Review profit and loss statements every period and submits report on period results to management; develops other recaps as needed
• Develop and ensure implementation of weekly, quarterly, and annual ad and sales promotion plans; reviews advertising content
• Develop and ensure implementation of display plans; reviews schematics and product selection
• Support and ensure implementation of strategic growth and corporate initiatives, including eCommerce
• Ensure merchandising bulletins are developed and distributed on a timely basis
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with vendors, and participate in vendor business reviews to evaluate past negotiations and terms in order to maximize sales and profit
• Collaborate with Product Development and Corporate Brands teams on private label items
• Monitor retail pricing guidelines for all items in alignment with Corporate objectives and strategy
• Direct and coordinates the activities of buyers; ensures deadlines are met
• Ensure standardization of buying processes with a focus on continuous improvement
• Conduct store tours across the enterprise
• Participate in Corporate meetings with Divisions
• Maintain a high level of awareness and evaluates the effectiveness of current industry trends for merchandise and merchandise presentation
• Maintain awareness of competitive landscape across the Enterprise
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
• Travel independently on a regular basis
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation