General Merchandise Manager – Harley-Davidson Dealer

Overview

GENERAL MERCHANDISE MANAGER AT WILKINS HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Manages employees and operations of the Wilkins Harley-Davidson General Merchandise department. Coordinates General Merchandise sales promotions and advertising.

Key Result Areas

• General Merchandise Department Operations 
• Management 
• Customer Service
• Promotions 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1) General Merchandise Department Operations

• Ensure General Merchandise personnel are well trained and available when needed. 
• Design displays for merchandise, which are appealing to customers. Make effective use of:
• Fixtures
• Wall Displays
• Show Cases
• Glass Cubes & Towers
• Mannequins
• Window Displays
• Regulate seasonal promotions (i.e. holiday display themes, fashion shows, special events, etc.) and coordinate them with other departments.
• Review all stock orders to ensure a fast moving balanced inventory of General Merchandise. Coordinate orders with P&A manager, if possible.
• Maintain sufficient quantities of stock to support demand and acceptable inventory turn ratio.
• Assist staff when needed.
• Become familiar and efficient with all phases of the computer system required for General Merchandise management, including generating and reviewing Inventory reports.
• Supervise and maintain an accurate up-to-date inventory management & control system.
• Establish procedures for ordering, receiving, logging into inventory, displaying, selling and restocking all merchandise.
• Ensure employees keep all merchandise and displays clean, well dusted, and appealing to customers.
• Set-up and maintain a smooth running, efficient, appealing retail environment for the General Merchandise department.
• Purchase product assortments, gauge stock movement, and devise promotions, when necessary.
2) Management
• Employ sound management practices to ensure General Merchandise department contributes acceptable levels of gross & net profit.
• Maximize return on investment of General Merchandise inventory.
• Grow the volume of General Merchandise sales.
• Maintain budgeted revenue and expense objectives.
• Develop advertising sales, and promotional campaigns for merchandise.
• Communicate regularly with the Harley-Davidson Motor Company regarding:
• Policies
• Product Availability
• Product Style Options
• New/Future Product line Studies
• Benchmark other retailers to determine "best practice" standards.
• Organize and stage fashion shows and other events to sell merchandise.
• Provide reports to Dealer Principal or General Manager, as requested.
• Develop monthly and annual objectives for the department in collaboration with Dealer Principal or General Manager.
• Attend training sessions (Harley-Davidson University, etc.) to keep current with merchandising trends & inventory control issues.
3) Customer Service
• Provide superior customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Greet customers immediately enthusiastically, in a courteous and friendly manner.
• Handle telephone transactions quickly, and courteously.
• Point out any sales, specials, or new merchandise to staff and customers.
• Handle customer complaints reasonably, showing empathy and a positive attitude, and demonstrate our commitment to Superior Customer Service. 
4) Promotions

• Plan and execute "exceptional" promotions to bring both "new and existing" customers into the dealership on a regular basis. 
• Coordinate promotions with other departments to maximize return on promotions spending.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Establish departmental work schedule, balancing the workloads of all employees.
• Establish job assignments and sales quota's for all General Merchandise personnel within their skill level.
• Set policies and procedures for General Merchandise department.
• Manage employee performance (evaluate and council).
• Assist General Manager with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and terminating employees.
• Maintain records of all employee performance reviews.
• Provide training for all General Merchandise employees:
• Harley-Davidson University Programs
• Dealer Shows & Expo's

Commitments

• Treat all employees and customers fairly, courteously, and with dignity.
• Model superior customer service behavior for all General Merchandise personnel by maintaining positive relationships with customers, employees, General Manager and Dealer Principal.
• Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling.
• Be honest and fair in all business dealings.
• Demonstrate an interest in growing the General Merchandise business. Be a student of retail.

Qualifications & Job Requirements

• Experience with retail sales and inventory management.
• Prefer knowledge and experience with servicing of Harley-Davidson General Merchandise, and other products sold by the dealership, or the demonstrated ability to quickly learn them.
• Experience with Point-of-Sale and Parts & Service management computer software or the ability to quickly learn due to general knowledge & experience with computers.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to bend, stoop, crouch, reach, and lift 35 lbs. of material

Working Conditions 

• Normally indoors, however, some outdoor work is required during open houses or other events.

Benefits include Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical/Paid Leave Time/Retirement Plan/discounts on products. Pay would be commensurate with experience.

Forward electronic resumes to this listing or mail
John W. Lyon
Wilkins Harley-Davidson
663 South Barre Road
Barre, Vermont, 05641