Regional Manager - Merchandising - Liasion Office - Sportswear Brand

General Position Summary:

Provide Strategic leadership for the Sourcing, Costing, Product Development and Vendor Engagement functions for the Regional Liaison Office. Build and manage source base relationships to deliver the Profitability, On-time Execution, Quality and SMP goals of Columbia Sportswear. Provide leadership to Merchandising teams in achieving set goals for Product Development, Commercialization and Delivery execution of Columbia Sportswear Company products to the multiple global markets in which we conduct business

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

- Strategic/Source Base: Develop seasonal and long term sourcing strategy for apparel from the Regional Source Base. Develop the product source base plan for the liaison office, based upon the CSC global source strategy and Regional/Brand/Channel needs. Study and communicate accurate performance - scorecards- of each vendor to support Sourcing Managers in placing product with the right factories that assures profitability, delivery, quality and adherence to corporate responsibility objectives.

- Drive Commercialization Excellence for the Consumer: Lead positive and impactful change for Columbia Sportswear Company. Deliver Accuracy, Completeness and Timeliness in Product Development and Commercialization Process. Facilitate Direct Development opportunities with key Suppliers and Home Office Teams. Develop, standardize, and continually improve processes related to commercialization. Exemplify Customer Service and Consumer Focus - promote and maintain strong internal and external customer relationships (Customers being Categories, Brands, Regions, Factories and other LO Teams).

- Directs team to determine supplier capacities for new seasonal development.

Establish monthly and seasonal production capacity reporting for each supplier by working alongside the Production team. Work closely with Operations Manager to set vendor expectations in order to capitalize on current and future capacity/delivery opportunities.

- Calendar Timelines & Sales Sample Process: Establish Seasonal LO Calendar.

Direct teams to obtain full clarity of styles for quality sales sample production. Use

Exception Reporting to increase accuracy and efficiency in future processes.

Continually evaluate current modes to find efficiencies and improvements in calendar and process, internally and externally. Ensure and support adherence to deadlines. Provide inputs for sales sample capacity reservation. Support Production and Quality Assurance teams to ensure 100% on-time and accurate sales sample delivery.

- Drive Profitability by establishing and maintaining an effective costing process, and by continually seeking efficiencies in product costing. Identify and communicate the Customer/Consumer costing expectations to internal and external partners. Work across suppliers and product categories to achieve fair, consistent, and sustainable product costing. Provide guidance and training in all areas of costing. Investigate and recommend cost savings opportunities. Provide clear and concise information to the Brands/Categories/Regions (HQ) as it pertains to seasonal costing trends at the regional/country/vendor level.

- Product Quality, On-Time Delivery, and Standards of Manufacturing Practices: Understand Corporate goals on Quality, Delivery and SMP. Make sourcing decisions that facilitate a high level of achievement of Quality, Delivery and SMP Goals for

Columbia Sportswear Company. Take proactive steps throughout the Commercialization process to build quality into the product. Lead 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).

- Performance Management - Regional Source Base: Continually monitor and evaluate supplier performance to determine - invest-, - divest-, and - maintain- business levels with individual suppliers. Conduct quarterly / seasonal meetings with suppliers to review performance. Proactively communicate Source Base issues and opportunities to the LO and HQ staff. Establish corrective action plans where applicable. Frequent vendor/supplier visits are required and are essential to this role.

- Performance Management - Regional Team: Communicate roles and responsibilities and expectations for merchandising team. Identify areas for continuous improvement within individual and team performance. Working with Liaison Office Director and cross- functional management, set clear goals and objectives for staff on a regular basis to align with Columbia Sportswear Company strategic direction. Provide ongoing coaching to regional teams to achieve these objectives. Develop individual and group training opportunities for merchandising staff. Work with HR and Country Director on succession planning and create measurable performance evaluations. Manage Non-Performance with Courage.

- Establish and maintain strong relationships with HO Departments and Source Base.

Network within the industry to keep abreast of latest developments in the Source base. Initiate Supplier trips to the home office to stay strategically-aligned with new seasonal developments and strategic opportunities. Lead - Innovation Huddles- for the Product Teams at the LO FGV level; coordinate the efforts of all parties to ensure seamless adoption of new technology or innovative methods from the Commercialization to Production phases in the factory environment.

Secondary Functions:

Maintain positive open lines of communication with all Columbia Sportswear Company business partners in order to contribute to the smooth flow of information and efficient operation of the organization.

Job Complexity:

Job involves a high degree of complexity or difficulty in performing work situations which frequently vary from the norm. Requires the ability to react to both short term problems and long term goals. Work is generally reviewed on a project basis over extended periods of time. Errors in judgment can have significant negative impacts on the profitability, quality and timely delivery of Columbia Sportswear Company's product and may result in decreased sales and/or profits, and/or a negative impact to the Company's reputation.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Position will have direct authority over Regional LO Merchandising staff. Role is responsible for training, mentoring and managing performance of the Merchandising staff. Proven innovative leadership skills are required.

Interpersonal Contacts:

Contacts are normally made with others inside and outside the organization. Internal contacts include other department members and multiple functional areas. External contacts are primarily with suppliers and distribution representatives. Interactions focus on information exchange, problem solving and negotiation. Contacts usually contain confidential/sensitive information necessitating discretion at all times. Information may include financial information, strategic planning information and confidential personnel information. Incumbent usually initiates contacts with 50% being by phone /e-mail and the remainder via face-to-face interaction.

Specific Job Skills:

Requires a well-developed ability to read, write, and speak English, in relation to understanding and communicating highly complex or technical topics.

Mental agility and emotional intelligence required to conduct complex business operations, manage interpersonal interactions of a complex and critical nature, develop and cultivate personal and professional relationships within and outside the company. Ability to work well with individuals of different countries and cultures.

Work and thrive within a fast-paced and decision-critical environment to achieve job requirements with efficiency and effectiveness. Also must be able to trouble shoot and solve problems of an unusual and complex nature, and make decisions and operate independently with discretion.

Must be physically able sit for extended periods of time, operate computer hardware/software including a keyboard.

Well-developed understanding of the commercialization process, product sourcing and costing, and negotiation skills and tactics.

Domestic and International travel is required to visit vendors and suppliers throughout the Region.

Secondary Functions:

Maintain positive open lines of communication with all Columbia Sportswear Company business partners in order to contribute to the smooth flow of information and efficient operation of the organization.

Job Complexity:

Job involves a high degree of complexity or difficulty in performing work situations which frequently vary from the norm. Requires the ability to react to both short term problems and long term goals. Work is generally reviewed on a project basis over extended periods of time. Errors in judgment can have significant negative impacts on the profitability, quality and timely delivery of Columbia Sportswear Company's product and may result in decreased sales and/or profits, and/or a negative impact to the Company's reputation.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Position will have management responsibility for LO Merchandising staff. Role is responsible for training, mentoring and managing performance of the Merchandisers. Proven leadership skills are required.

Interpersonal Contacts:

Contacts are normally made with others inside and outside the organization. Internal contacts include other department members and multiple functional areas. External contacts are primarily with suppliers and distribution representatives. Interactions focus on information exchange, problem solving and negotiation. Contacts usually contain confidential/sensitive information necessitating discretion at all times. Information may include financial information, strategic planning information and confidential personnel information. Incumbent usually initiates contacts with 50% being by phone/fax/e-mail and the remainder via face-to-face interaction.

Specific Job Skills:

Requires a well-developed ability to read, write, and speak English, in relation to understanding and communicating highly complex or technical topics.

Mental agility and emotional intelligence required to conduct complex business operations, manage interpersonal interactions of a complex and critical nature, develop and cultivate personal and professional relationships within and outside the company. Ability to work well with individuals of different countries and cultures.

Work and thrive within a fast-paced and decision-critical environment to achieve job requirements with efficiency and effectiveness. Also must be able to trouble shoot and solve problems of an unusual and complex nature, and make decisions and operate independently with discretion.

Must be physically able sit for extended periods of time, operate computer hardware/software including a keyboard.

Well-developed understanding of the commercialization process, product sourcing and costing, and negotiation skills and tactics.

Domestic and International travel is required to visit vendors and suppliers throughout the Region.

Competencies:

- Integrity and Trust

- Customer Focus

- Functional/Technical

- Drive for Results

- Communication Skills

- Time Management

- Interpersonal Savviness

- Managing Vision & Purpose

- Strategic Agility

- Business Acumen

- Process & Project Management

- Developing Direct Reports

- Motivating Others

- Building Effective Teams

Education and/or Experience:

Degree in business or a related field. 7-9 years experience in production, merchandising, development or a manufacturing environment, preferably in garment industry or related soft goods industry. Work experience directly related to the management of people and sourcing and costing process.