The Category Team Manager provides leadership for the Sourcing, Costing, and Product Development functions for the assigned Categories within the Regional Liaison Office.
Manages Vendor relationships to deliver the Profitability, On-time Execution, Quality and SMP goals for the assigned Category (ies) and that of Columbia Sportswear Company.
Provide leadership and training to Merchandising team in order to achieve set goals for CSC products shipping to the multiple global markets in which we conduct business.
Develop and maintain the product source base plan for the Liaison Office, based upon the Regional / Brand / Channel needs and aligned with the CSC global source strategy.
Deliver Accuracy, Completeness and Timeliness in Product Development and Commercialization Process for all assigned categories.
Facilitate direct development opportunities with key Suppliers and Home Office Teams. Develop, standardize, and continually improve processes related to commercialization.
Build strong foundations with our partners to ensure beneficial long-term relationships.
Work closely with Vendor Base to identify opportunities and constraints as it relates to achieving CSC and Category targets.
Obtain, maintain and circulate Vendor’s seasonal capacity and capability data to internal
audiences. Maintain visibility to category level performance metrics across all functions for the regional vendor base and drive continuous improvement in these through collaboration with the x-functional team.
Calendar Timelines & Sales Sample Process : Execute seasonal category calendar as it relates to LO activities. Find efficiencies and drive improvements in calendar and work flow management internally and externally.
Ensure adherence to deadlines through effective team and process management. Provide inputs for sales sample capacity reservation.
Lead the sales sample buy ready process and enable full clarity of styles for quality sales sample production. Support Production and Quality Assurance teams to ensure 100% on-time and accurate sales sample delivery.
Ensure the manpower of department is fully utilized and operating as effectively as possible.
Investigate and recommend product cost savings opportunities, as an input to the Cost Engineering process. Provide clear and concise information to stakeholders on seasonal costing to support decision making.
Work across suppliers and product categories / Brands to achieve fair, consistent, and sustainable product costing.
Understand Corporate goals on Quality, Delivery and SMP. Take proactive steps throughout the Commercialization process to build quality into the product.
Lead category team in completion of Buy Ready and Cut Ready process to enable 100% on-time delivery. Support CR Management’s SMP efforts by contributing relevant information to corrective action plan (CAP).
Proactively communicate source base issues and opportunities to the LO and HQ staff. Establish & drive corrective action plans where applicable.
Working with LO DMM and cross-functional management, set clear goals and objectives for staff on a timely basis to align with Columbia Sportswear Company strategic direction.
Identify areas for continuous improvement within individual and team performance. Provide ongoing coaching to merchandising staff to achieve these objectives.
Develop individual and group training opportunities for merchandising staff. Work with HR and LO DMM on succession planning and create measurable performance evaluations.
Manage Non-Performance with Courage.
Accompany Supplier trips to the home office when necessary to stay strategically aligned with new seasonal developments and strategic opportunities.
Participate in cross-functional meetings, such as the Innovation Huddle’, with the objective of solving category needs and establishing long-term process improvement with the vendor.
Communicate CSC category expectations to vendors to ensure seamless adoption of new technology and / or innovative processes.
