at L. L. Bean, Inc. in Freeport, Maine, United States
Job Description
We invite you to be part of our team of trailblazers dedicated to helping people discover and enjoy the outside. Come join us. Because on the inside we’re all outsiders. And if it’s outside, we’re all in.
L.L.Bean is currently searching for a Director of Merchandise and Supply Chain Operations to join the Supply Chain team located in Freeport, Maine.
Position Purpose: In this important role the Director of Merchandise and Supply Chain Operations provides strategic insight and direction to team members and internal partners to optimize the alignment of business processes, tools and the organization through ongoing continuous improvement efforts, strategic initiatives and thought leadership. The primary process supported is Mind to Market. Strategically leads the team to continuously evolve Merchandising and Supply Chain processes and tools in support of growth and strategic business changes in partnership with key leaders across the organization. Acts as the bridge between two big divisions (300+ people) and the decisions that need to evolve to support the leaders in the day-to-day operations of a highly complex, multi category, multi-channel model. Serves at Sr. Business Lead on large strategic projects to balance time, scope and money requirements. Drives proactive talent development and succession planning across the Merchandising and Supply Chain Process department. Anticipates and drives strategic changes within the work team and across the organization. Leads process improvement initiatives through the disciplined use of measurements, accountability, analysis and discussion of process alternatives in order to arrive at best practices. Reports to the VP of Merch Planning and Inventory Management with a dotted line to the CMO. This position functions at a highly autonomous level with a significant impact to the business.
Responsibilities:
+ Leadership:
+ Create and support a high-performance culture and effectively lead team and department through uncertainty.
+ Have a talent strategy and succession planning orientation.
+ Manage and develop staff required to perform the responsibilities of the function. Establish performance objectives, appraise and reward performance, coach and develop employees through assignments, training and regular feedback.
+ Resolve personnel problems by following company policies, procedures, and practices. Review/update job descriptions, department structure, staffing levels and relative records. Take necessary measures to create/maintain a positive, productive & safe work environment.
+ Align with Inv/MFP talent strategy processes and timelines; Participate in SC talent offsites.
+ Keep an eye out of future of team: AOTB, Wholesale, ISS, etc. as business evolves.
+ Demonstrate strong leadership presence in translating the department’s vision into actionable goals and communicate the strategy and accountabilities necessary to achieve the goals.
+ Consults at many levels, leading cross functional communication and driving decision support.
+ Invites different perspectives as a means of input to problem solving.
+ Champion for alignment of business processes, tools and organization:
+ Coordinate efforts to focus on process performance and strategic objectives.
+ Continuously improve L.L.Bean’s capabilities to achieve process quality as part of project execution.
+ Support project teams in process quality activities by educating, coaching and mentoring others on process improvement philosophy, tools and application.
+ Recognize opportunities for process & tool innovation and remove technical and cultural barriers to process focused management.
+ Orchestrate and implement change management plans.
+ Face of the Merch/SC Ops team:
+ Foundational business knowledge, particularly in the areas of Merchandising and Supply Chain is essential in this role; individual demonstrates interest in the business functions and understands the drivers of performance in the business.
+ Run/Host M2M governance meetings (Steering/Sponsor).
+ Participate in Mind to Market Operations group (MOPS).
+ Participate as stakeholder in relevant strategic projects.
+ Act as Business Lead on large strategic projects that originate from this team (e.g. DPC, M2M 2.0, Blue Yonder upgrades, SC transparency tools).
+ Maintain and build Cross functional partnerships:
+ Internal relationships are a key enabler for this role; individual invests time in developing and nurturing cross-functional relationships.
+ Merch/SC leaders.
+ IS leadership for ongoing sustain and large projects.
+ Commercial Planning.
+ Maintain and build Vendor relationships:
+ Senior point person for all software & implementation providers used by these functions, examples: Blue Yonder, PTC, Clo, Kalypso.
+ Participate in quarterly business reviews with vendors; take leadership position in meetings; work closely with Sustain team to plan agendas and ensure right people are there.
+ Participate in vendor reference calls, conferences, speaking engagements, etc. as part of strategic relationship with vendor.
+ Budget Management:
+ Participate in setting and managing department budgets for team’s cost center and operate within budgetary guidelines.
+ Contribute to SC area’s Strategic Cost Management efforts through appropriate use of operating budget dollars and responsible management of resources.
Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.
Education Level: 4-Year Bachelors Degree
Years of Experience: 10+ years
Skills and Qualifications:
+ Has the ability to socialize changes across multiple disciplines; can sell ideas to executives; courage
+ Ability to make the complex simple, Uber Communication skills both verbal and written
+ Excellent decision-making skills
+ Strong collaboration skills
+ Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects and meet aggressive deadlines
+ Strategic acumen, tactical execution
+ Fast learner, Enterprise wise- thinker
+ Can broker strategic compromises, practical applications, problem solver
+ Understands and appreciates nuance balance of Art and Science in Merchandising and Supply Chain
+ Is a master integrator of strategies and ideas for efficiencies and handling entanglements
+ Has the gravitas and relationship skills to influence peers
+ Gets results through others and well developed/executed strategies
+ Open to feedback, learning and developing – lives in an atmosphere of growth
+ Passion for the supported functions AND the sustain model/strategy
+ Natural orientation towards creating and managing controls and processes
+ Has or can quickly build credibility with the leaders and team members across Merch, SC and CP
+ Expertise/Emerging expertise: Product Development, M2M, Systems Integration, Process Guru, People leadership
+ Strong technical skills in the area of project management, how systems and development work, IT background, exposure to Merchandising/SC based tools
If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan. Because, when it comes to the outside-we’re all in. Visit llbeancareers.com to learn more. Being outside brings out the best in us, no matter where