Overview
The Divisional Merchandising Manager (DMM) - Footwear leads the merchandising strategy for Cavender’s western boot and footwear categories to drive sales, margin, and profitability. This role oversees Buyers and Buyer’s Assistants, with a strong dotted line to Planners and Allocators. The role also partners with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Ecommerce, New Store, Design, and Visual Merchandising, to deliver compelling customer-focused assortments and efficient inventory strategies across stores and digital channels. The DMM plays a key role in shaping Cavender’s western footwear business by developing strategic assortments across men’s, women’s, and youth western boots and related footwear categories. This role ensures Cavender’s remains a destination for authentic western footwear by identifying emerging trends, strengthening brand partnerships, and delivering assortments that reflect the lifestyle and needs of the western customer.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the “Cavender’s Culture” and drive our Mission, Vision, and Values
- Develop and execute seasonal and annual merchandising strategies for western boots and footwear aligned with company goals
- Lead cross-functional initiatives to deliver top-line sales growth and bottom-line profitability within the western footwear business
- Guide category performance through data-driven decision-making and consumer insights specific to western footwear trends and customer demand
- Drive assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and inventory strategies across western boot and footwear categories
- Build strong vendor partnerships with key western boot brands and footwear suppliers to drive innovation, exclusives, and competitive assortments
- Partner with Marketing and Ecommerce teams to build omnichannel campaigns that increase traffic and conversion for western footwear
- Analyze business performance, market trends, and competitive landscape within the western boot and footwear market 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 merchandising strategies for western footwear
- Ensure adherence to merchandise calendars and critical milestone timelines
- Communicate merchandising vision clearly and effectively across teams and leadership levels
- Serve as a voice for Cavender’s on merchandising, western boot trends, brand partnerships, forecasts, strategic opportunities, and risks
- Drive calendar to meet crucial dates and hold team accountable
- Assist in the planning and execution of the financial forecast of the western footwear business, partnering with Planning Leaders
- Participate in the creation of and communicate the in-store experience for western footwear from vision through execution and floor sets for full-price and promotional business
- Build relationships through effective communication and collaboration as a solution-oriented team leader
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, including leadership of cross-functional teams
- Proven success managing footwear or western boot categories within a retail merchandising environment
- Strong understanding of western footwear customer preferences, product construction, brand positioning, and market trends
- Experience in category management, planning, and allocation within footwear or related merchandise categories
- Experience building and leading digital and omnichannel strategies
- Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
- Proficient in merchandising systems and retail platforms (EDI, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Jesta, etc.)
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and PowerPoint
- 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 and lead 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.
