Brand Manager (New York)

Company Description Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

This person will be the primary point of contact for both Ralph Lauren CYO shops as well as Mens Polo within Macy’s HSQ.  He/she will focus on developing relationships with key wholesale partners to execute company strategies.

The Brand Manager will be responsible for both NYC CYO locations (BLM 59^th St and Macy’s HSQ) in addition to daily coverage of the Mens Polo business at Macys HSQ.

The NYC CYO Brand Manager is responsible for driving our mission of style through creative energy specific to the Ralph Lauren Polo shops and throughout the building.  Possessing a key sense of style, and is acutely aware of the CYO services offered and how to seamlessly navigate the customer through the experience and offerings available in a fun/engaging way.  They need to be able to convey this message to the CYO Brand Ambassadors and inspire and generate excitement for this service.  They must enjoy relationship building and have a strong base knowledge of building a sale.

Armed with technology, the Flagship Brand Manager directs, problem solves, assists with elevating the customer experience and bestows engaging conversation adding to the customer experience.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Business Acumen/Communication:

• Have an understanding of the state of the business including annual volume, best sellers and in-season trend for your business.
• Share key learnings and opportunities internally with account partners and leadership.
• Review business with Store Management, RL Sales and planning teams and Retail Development leadership team to identify immediate and ongoing opportunities with every visit.
• Build & maintain strong account partnerships & relationships and collaborate continually.
• Execute strategies outlined by leadership team to drive sales growth and profitability.

In-Store Presentation

• Walk area of business weekly; make productive assessments and take action where needed in a timely manner.
• Execute strong, well-balanced merchandise statements consistent with Ralph Lauren strategies & guidelines.
• Execute floor moves based on seasonal directives, modifying as required based on business trends.
• Ensure the highest of maintenance standards to include stores execution for timely processing of new inventory, price changes and markdowns.
• Walk department on a consistent, weekly basis; make productive assessments and take action where needed in a timely manner.
• Ensure store team maintains an organized stockroom for easy product replenishment.

Coaching / Training

• Drive retail performance through disciplined business management for all Ralph Lauren brands.
• Conduct product and selling seminars to create an educated and professional Selling Specialist culture, with the goal of improving regular priced selling while keeping the consumer at the center.
• Provide and demonstrate selling techniques where possible - empower the team.
• Continuously train the CYO Team on best practices, SOP and building a sale

CYO Skill / Competency

• Naturally extroverted, assertive and service oriented
• Strong communication skills, master of the art of conversation
• Self-motivated
• Passion for customer service
• Technology savvy
• Inventory Management
• Strong Time Management

CYO Shopping Experience

• Adds to shopping experience by offering customers an enhanced experience
• Provides CYO advice – is a go to for customers seeking guidance
• Drives the selling experience by developing strong relationships with key sellers, shoppers and stylists and can suggestive sell incremental opportunities
• Able to problem solve
• Partner with SM, GSM, Ops & RL team to identify customer pain points
• Maintain high standard of appearance wearing the assigned uniform provided

CYO Business Ownership

• Speak to the benefits of CYO – walk customers through the experience as an added service to the customer
• Drives special events on all floors by engaging customers
• Is flexible and adaptable – when necessary, may require assistance with the CYO operations and everyday maintenance of machinery and small repairs
• Expected to assist in the elevation of shop standards guided by RL team

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Able to articulate your vision to inspire others, from customers to colleagues
• Able to develop influential and collaborative relationships across teams and functions, both internally and externally
• Strong business acumen; numbers driven
• Motivated, independent self-starter with professional attitude
• Puts the customer first and develops a team focused on an exceptional experience
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for additive customer experiences, NYC and Store events
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve
• Attention to detail
• Technology expert
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Passionate service provider
• Basic computer knowledge and photography skills
• College degree preferred

Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws.