Director of Merchandising

Cuddledown, a brand of PGI and a company committed to making and selling the finest in home textiles. The quality of our products, combined with our devotion to great customer service, makes us the premiere source for all things cozy. We got our start in 1973 by making just one product: our trademark down comforters. Cuddledown’s product line includes the highest quality down pillows & comforters, fine sheet sets & duvet covers, mattress pads, comfy and cozy sleepwear and slippers.

At Cuddledown, we look for unique talent and skills, and above all else, passion. Our employees are enthusiastic team members who love what they do, and come to work every day ready to jump in and roll up their sleeves.

Cuddledown is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Merchandising to supervise the management teams of Product Development and to assist in the development and execution of the corporation’s overall goals and business strategy. Responsibilities include ensuring that the company's product range creates competitive advantage, is on brand, has perceived value, is manufactured to the highest quality standards, and is in stock for the Cuddledown consumer.

This is to be accomplished through overseeing and directing the development of strategic merchandising plans, effective assortment planning, vendor management, establishing product retails and margin management, as well as closely working directly with inventory management.

• Lead the development and execution of the company's overall and category specific merchandising strategy to meet sales and EBIDTA objectives.
• Lead and effectively manage the Product Development Team to develop innovative product assortments that enhance customer acquisition, while being consistent with the Cuddledown brand.
• Direct product evaluation and testing for new product introductions to ensure compliance with company QA standards, governmental regulations and FTC requirements.
• Direct merchandise selection process and review product managers’ assortments for balance and adherence to strategic and financial objectives.
• Based on established due dates for deliverables, review and approve Product department’s yearly production calendar.
• Review and approve product retail pricing, taking into consideration competitor pricing and company gross margin objectives.
• Ensure the Product Development Team provides clear explanations of product attributes, in order for the marketing team to showcase their unique selling features to optimize demand.
• Ensure that legal and regulatory product guidelines are being met and in compliance with FTC and governmental regulations.
• Review and approve all catalog/seasonal paginations.
• Prepare merchandise performance analysis in preparation for planning meetings to ensure proper space allocation, while maintaining Cuddledown’s image as a high quality brand.
• Ensure that merchandise performance reporting formats and analysis provide clear visibility to key business metrics. Request additional reports or revised reporting formats from the Corporate Director of Business Analysis, when needed to provide insights to optimize merchandise selection.
• Oversee yearly Oeko Tex certification.
• Provide direction and leadership at a senior level to build strategic vendor relationships.
• Ensure that Product Development Team’s merchandising planning process supports inventory planning requirements to meet the company's fill rate goals.
• Collaborate with the Inventory Team, seasonal financial plans and category forecasts in Direct Tech for catalog, internet, wholesale and retail store channels.
• Collaborate and review inventory buy plans and liquidation strategies with Inventory Team, as well as ensure MOQs/minimums are reasonable and in line with company objectives.
• Conduct bi-weekly review with buyers of inventory levels, orders in transit, and product delivery issues.
• Ensure collaborative efforts between product managers, Inventory, and Ecommerce teams to optimize online traffic.
• Oversee the development and annual updates on product training and category assortment materials for Customer Service, inclusive of product training videos.
• Ensure…