Divisional Merchandise Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

The Divisional Merchandising Manager (DMM) is a senior leadership role responsible for driving merchandising strategies across multiple categories to achieve sales, margin, and profitability goals. This role leads a team of Buyers, Planners, and Allocators and plays a key part in shaping the company’s merchandise direction across both brick-and-mortar and digital channels. The DMM will partner cross-functionally with key business units—such as Marketing, Ecommerce, Design, and Visual Merchandising—to deliver customer-relevant assortments, efficient inventory strategies, and compelling brand experiences. As a member of the management team, this leader will contribute to the overall strategic direction of Cavender’s and support a culture rooted in innovation, collaboration, and customer focus.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the “Cavender’s Culture” and drive our Mission, Vision, and Values
• Develop and execute seasonal and annual merchandising strategies aligned with company goals.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to deliver top-line sales growth and bottom-line profitability.
• Guide category performance through data-driven decision-making and consumer insights.
• Drive assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and inventory strategies across channels.
• Partner with Marketing and Ecommerce teams to build omnichannel campaigns that increase traffic and conversion.
• Analyze business performance, market trends, and competitive landscape to inform future planning.
• Mentor and manage a team of Buyers, Planners, and Allocators; foster professional growth and succession planning.
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising and field teams to execute in-store product presentation and seasonal fashion direction.
• Ensure adherence to merchandise calendars and critical milestone timelines.
• Champion a culture of curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate merchandising vision clearly and effectively across teams and leadership levels.
• Serve as a voice for Cavender’s on merchandising, design, current trends, forecasts, strategic opportunities and risks
• Drive calendar to meet crucial dates and hold team accountable
• Assist in the planning of and execute the financial forecast of the business, partnering with Planning Leaders
• Participate in the creation of, and communicate, in-store experience from vision through how-to execution and floor set for full-price and promotional business
• Build relationships through effective communication and collaboration as a solution-oriented team leader

Qualifications and Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, including leadership of cross-functional teams.
• Proven success in category management, planning, and allocation.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive dynamics.
• Experience in building and leading digital and omnichannel strategies.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in merchandising systems and retail platforms (EDI, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Jesta, etc.)
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field—or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

Preferred Skills

• Experience in Western and workwear merchandise categories.
• Strong digital acumen and comfort working with consumer data.
• Background in fast-paced, multi-unit retail environments.
• Ability to influence across multiple departments and levels.

Cavender’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, military status, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other personal characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

Cavender’s will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability upon request. If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application, please call Customer Service at (888) 361 – 2555 or visit your nearest Cavender’s store.