Senior Vice President, Merchandising & Retail Activities

The Team:

The Merchandising team supports Hermès of Paris US business by managing the process of sales forecasting, open to buy (OTB), merchandise selection, inventory management, reporting and analysis. The Merchandising team develops strategies and sets clear direction to maximize business performance in close partnership with the retail team.

The Omnichannel Customer Development & Client Relations Management (CDCRM) team is a retail-facing team focused on overall customer experience, customer acquisition and retention through Analytics, CRM, After Sales, Client Services, and Events. The focus of the team is to reach new and existing clients through the sales and service ceremony, bespoke services, smart analytics, and animations all to strengthen customer experience, loyalty and acquisition. The multifaceted team works in tandem to drive traffic to stores and provide one-of-a-kind experiences.

The Opportunity:

As the Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Retail Activities, you will be responsible for strategizing, managing, and leading the merchandising, planning & allocation, client experience & development, and CRM functions for the Hermès US business. You will lead a large team, consisting of the Merchandising & Planning department and the Client Development & CRM department. You will demonstrate a deep understanding and appreciation for the Hermès customer, product, and know-how. You will inspire the teams to build upon and identify new growth platforms for the brand, consistent with the overall strategic direction of the company. Developing strategies and setting clear direction to maximize business performance will be key to ensuring objectives are met. As a key member of the Senior Leadership executive team, you will exude gracious leadership, demonstrating wisdom, maturity, gravitas and humility to thrive in a brand with a long-term view. You will represent Hermès as a commercial leader and financial steward with a balance of art and science and a passion for business impact. You will have demonstrated success as an inspiring communicator, confident team leader, and trusted mentor. You will build and maintain strong relationships with the Retail & eCommerce teams, the Paris office, and all cross-functional support areas in both Paris and the US to drive business results and provide a best-in-class client experience through various sales channels.

About The Role

• Provides organization, support and direction during Paris Podium and Pre-collection buys, including OTB preparation.
• Develop merchandising and client strategies to achieve budgeted sales, create best in class customer experience and drive business for a multi-billion business in the US.
• Consistent rigorous analysis and communication of client analytics to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges. Develop strategies and implantation plans accordingly.
• Facilitate and promote communication to encourage partnerships between merchandising and client development with retail stores, e-commerce, retail operations, and communications.
• Special Projects and ad hoc responsibilities in line with continually evolving business strategies.
• Partner collaboratively with HR on Headcount Budget Planning, Talent & Succession Planning, and Recruitment Strategies.
• Drive the merchandising strategy and lead the buying process for US retail stores and eCommerce.
• Leverage the skills and resources of the CDRM to define and develop the Hermes client journey in the US.
• Sustain innovation in every field by fostering and sharing a customer-focused vision.
• Initiate and deploy cross-brand initiatives that drive sales, profit and consumer loyalty.
• Foster partnerships and establish leadership presence through frequent store visits, providing direction and guidance on all aspects of the Hermès experience.
• Conduct continuous sales analyses and develop strategic planning, including professional and timely reporting to Senior Leadership on opportunities to grow business, challenges and responses.
• Lead the Planning & Allocation strategy, including partnering with the SVP of Retail to oversee inventory management through directing, supervising, coaching and developing omnichannel sales.

Supervisory Responsibility:

YES – Directly manages the VP, Merchandising & Retail Planning, VP, CRM & Client Experience, and the Retail Coordinator

• Indirect supervisory responsibility for Merchandising & Client Development / CRM departments.

Budget Responsibility:

YES – Sales Plan and Merchandising P&L; Months of Supply; Inventories; Annual Headcount Budget Planning

Decision Making Responsibility:

YES

• High level business decisions impacting all elements of Omnichannel Sales function for the Company
• Establish Open to Buys for collections and pre-collections in Paris; approval of product orders
• Hiring and people management decisions
• All decisions impacting merchandising and client experience
• Inventory Management – currency & levels
• Full P&L Responsibility

About You:

• Ability to balance strategic-oriented long-term vision with highly analytical and results-driven mindset
• Exudes graciousness in all interactions
• Ability to make clear, informed decisions in ambiguous situations
• Effective leadership of cross-functional teams and projects, including international stakeholders
• Passion for exceptional internal and external client service
• Open to travel 40%+ of the time, including domestic store visits, Paris buying trips, and international seminars
• Expert level Excel skills
• Demonstrated track record of driving and delivering results in a dynamic and matrixed environment.
• Expertise in trends, media, and marketing awareness
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills
• High level of attention to detail
• 15+ years of leadership experience in Buying/Merchandising, Retail and eCommerce capacities, preferably in vertically integrated, consumer focused Omnichannel companies
• Proven ability to develop and inspire people and ensure succession plans are actively developed across multiple functions.
• Unwavering commitment to excellence
• Proven effective leader with the ability to provide direction in line with company objectives
• Proven excellence at meeting long and short-term deadlines

The range for this position is $284,375 - $528,125 annually. Actual rates are determined based on the job, location, and individual experience.

We are looking for a candidate that has a combination of the above attributes and can perform the key functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodations.

Company Overview:

Since 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisan business model and humanist values. We place people at the heart of what we do and aspire to make a positive impact on the world. The freedom to create, the constant search for beautiful materials, the transmission of a savoir-faire of excellence and the aesthetic of functionality define the singularity of Hermès, a house dedicated to making highly-crafted, beautiful objects made to stand the test of time.

An independent, family-owned company, Hermès is dedicated to keeping production in France through its 42 workshops, The Hermès organization is also a truly global community with a network of 310 stores in 49 countries. Hermès employs more than 15,000 people worldwide with over 6,000 of the workforce being Hermès craftspeople engaged in making artisanal products, nurturing a 180+ year tradition of creativity and innovation.

At Hermès, our actions for sustainable development and corporate social responsibility are founded in values passed down by generations of humble artisans who have shaped the story of our house and the integrity of our objects. The roots of Hermès’ success and longevity lie in a sense of responsibility; a quest for authenticity and respect for time and preservation of natural resources. All at Hermès wish to leave a positive footprint on the world, a mission that’s at the heart of our commitment to progress. This narrative can be experienced in a series of shorts films “Footsteps Across the World” available on our website. Link here.

Our Commitment:

Family is at the heart of Hermès. At Hermès of Paris, we are committed to being a Maison for All, a home where we make efforts to generate, support and advance the values of diversity, inclusion and family both within our own walls and in the wider world. At Hermès of Paris we look to create a diverse workforce of talented and unique individuals with different backgrounds, skillsets and worldviews that will enrich our Hermès of Paris family. We support our individual team members personal and professional success through a culture that values equality, individuality and fairness and through an environment where individuals can thrive and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Beyond the walls of our Maison, we advance our DIF values through the work that we do in partnership with our community and non-profit partners.

At Hermès of Paris, we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. It is the policy of Hermès of Paris, Inc. that applicants for employment are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to positions being filled and potential for promotion or transfer which may be expected to develop. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. In addition, personnel procedures and practices with regard to training, promotion, transfer, compensation, demotion, lay off or termination are to be administered with due regard to job performance, experience and qualifications, but without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hermès of Paris, Inc. also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws.