Merchandise Manager

The Merchandise Manager is responsible for daily oversight and management of the park's Merchandise operations, including vision and strategies that result in profitability growth, safety requirements, world-class Guest service, and associate development and engagement.  This position is a hands-on leader that directs the daily operations and leads the Area Manager team to achieve associate, guest and financial goals.  All of this will be done in a manner consistent with the mission, values, operating philosophies and standards of Carowinds.

• Leads, trains, and develops direct reports through consistent coaching and feedback while driving productivity and morale of the team. Holds self and others accountable to high performance standards. Foster adaptability within assigned work group. Lead by example in an ever-changing climate, be open and set the example for willingness to new ideas and opportunities. Embrace and positively communicate change.
• Ensures that Retail-related competencies are in place, executed and managed effectively and consistently across the operation. Examples of competencies include, but are not limited to, Retail execution, brand delivery, general safety, budgeting, inventory management and replenishment, expense control, loss prevention, guest experience, speed of service, staffing, and training/development, etc.
• Partners with local and corporate counterparts in the development of strategy. Work with Merchandise support partners and Product Developers and Planners to proactively create, implement, and manage strategies that ensure effective product flow and stock levels to minimize stock loss and maximize sales, and make location plan adjustments as needed.
• Establishes and implements the visual merchandising plan for all merchandise locations, drives creative solutions to deliver unique shopping environments and compelling store displays / windows that entice the guest.
• Understands and drives appropriate metrics to assess business performance – Sales, Per Cap, ADT, Forecast, Budget (sales and KPIs) and Controllable Expenses (operating supplies, shrink and payroll). Discern insights based in understanding relevant market and guest population trends, key business performance metrics and operational feedback to develop appropriate plans and forecasts for the merchandise business by park/location.
• Ensure the continual adherence of a safety culture throughout the Merchandise team that includes an established safety plan, and compliance with all state, federal, local and company rules and regulations.
• Receives and responds to guest inquiries, concerns, and complaints; takes corrective action as needed to maintain excellent guest service and integrity of park policies. Participates in the Manager on duty rotation.
• Maintain financial, operational, and quantitative responsibilities for an assigned role / business category. This may include, but not be limited to Merchandise, Games, Managing of Revenue Partners, Photo, Service/Rentals, Warehousing, Merchandising, or any combination of disciplines.
• As required, have confidence and ability to work autonomously to meet department goals and objectives while keeping Senior Leader apprised of progress, concerns, and/or needs.

• Bachelor's Degree, focus in Business, marketing, merchandising preferred.
• At least 6-8 years of prior work experience working in merchandise/retail industry.
• At least 3-5 years of prior experience leading and supervising a large team.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, easily shift from strategic to tactical work, creative thinker, ability to work across decisions to achieve common goals, guest and associate focused.
• Strong presentation skills.
• At least 5% of travel required for position.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holiday based on business needs.