Manager-Merchandise Workflow & Communications

Summary of Position:

The Merchandise Workflow & Communications Manager will serve as the primary merchandise process (schematic & off-shelf) and workload gatekeeper, prioritize workload plans that align with budget, and produce an acceptable return on investment (ROI). The Manager will support multiple cross-functional business partners in their merchandise execution planning (schematic & off-shelf), workload, and communication requests (Merchants, Merchandise Planning, Inventory Management, Pricing, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Store Expense, Special Projects, and Quality Assurance).

After capturing all workload requests from the above-mentioned departments, this position will partner with the Store Operations Gatekeeping and Labor teams to find the optimal time to execute schematic & off-shelf merchandising initiatives and communications to support the business and ensure flawless execution. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are required, with a focus on attention to detail.

The key to success is working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment while remaining flexible, resourceful, and efficient. This position reports directly to the Director of FD Merchandise Execution.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Owns, manages, and updates the IMC (schematic) and Merchandise Workflow (off-shelf, Pricing, Marketing) cross-functional calendars, capturing all merchandising task requests, store workload, communications, and execution timing for the following work groups: Merchants, Merchandise Planning, Inventory Management, Pricing, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Store Expense, Special Projects, and Quality Assurance.

• Ensures all workgroup tasks are completed on time to support the timely delivery of merchandise, Sales Planners, Schematics, Marketing, Pricing requests, and communications to stores.

• Calculates and assigns task "set" times for all merchandising activities. Proactively partners with Store Ops to review merchandise workload requests and timing, ensuring tasks/projects are supported with adequate labor hours to maximize efficiencies and execution.

• Manages and owns the alignment of the FD Field Workflow/Merchandising monthly reviews, ensuring the Merchandise department's priorities are accurately captured, represented, and adjusted, if necessary.

• Collaborates to negotiate through off-cadence workload requests and conflicting priorities to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Concurrently manages multiple timelines, priorities, and expectations.

• Develop strategic merchandise communication processes for complex business partners. i.e., Collaborates with Special Projects, Store Expense, Visual Merchandising, Merchandising Project Managers, and 3 rd Party Specialists to ensure project fixtures are ordered, delivered, and communicated on time.

• Responsible for creating eight (8) Seasonal Sales Planners per year that support off-shelf promotional execution. Owns the relationship with the Planner print vendor.

• Ensures all chainwide and select store merchandising communications are created, entered, reviewed, edited, and released on time to support flawless execution (~1200 communications yearly).

• Owns the weekly Merchandise Bulletin, outlining stores' top merchandise priorities for the upcoming week, consistently giving our field teams the "why" behind the task/project.

• Identifies risks and leads mitigation efforts; identifies system, process, and training gaps; notes resource constraints; and escalates to the respective business partner.

• Strong analytical skills to identify potential obstacles or opportunities to maximize productivity.

• Partner with the Director of FD Merchandise Execution to analyze and interpret trends; identify the effectiveness of execution; provide and develop strategic solutions to simplify/streamline communications and workload tasks.

• Results-oriented and self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency and ability to provide strategic planning direction while identifying and removing roadblocks.

• Training corporate users on the company's communication tools, Smartsheet, OpsCenter, and Workplace.

• Exceptional customer service skills with the desire to satisfy internal and external customers.

• Completing other job duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.

• Retail experience is required.

• Timely and sound decision-making skills.

• Capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Solid time management and follow-up skills.

• Takes initiative and is flexible in making changes and analyzing opportunities with short notice.

• Sound written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with various levels in the organization.

• Comfortable with working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to reprioritize as needed.

• Strong command of Microsoft Office Products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Merchandising or Business Management.

• Retail Management experience of 5+ years.

• InDesign, Photoshop, and Canva experience preferred.

• Merchandising, Retail Communications, Training, Teaching, and/or Project Management experience.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar are Equal Opportunity employers.