Merchandising Operations Manager / Channel Sales Programs

Summary

Apple is a place where extraordinary people gather to do their best work. Together we craft products and experiences people once couldn’t have imagined — and now can’t imagine living without. If you’re excited by the idea of making a real impact, and joining a team where we pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse and inclusive companies in the world, a career with Apple might be your dream job!

This position reports to the Sr. Manager of Channel Sales Programs, Channel Strategy & Operations Division, and is responsible for driving the ongoing merchandising operation as well as future Apple channel programs in Japan across channels.

Description

Channel Sales Programs at Apple are deployed across all key routes to market, including but not limited to consumer electronics stores, Carrier shops across Japan as well as a selective number of premium resellers and specialty stores. The programs aim to drive the best in class customer experience in the channel for Apple, incorporating visual merchandizing, fixtures, marketing assets, staffing, training, demo units and content, in-store technology, demand generation, services and more!

The success of these programs is dependent upon the coordinated efforts of several key teams within Apple. The Channel Sales Programs team leads the overall plan for, execution of, and post-installation activities of these programs, collaborating with various functional groups in Apple.

This individual will focus on new merchandising operation program development, analyzing effectiveness of each program, as well as managing existing merchandising support programs across all programs.

This role works closely with many internal stakeholders as well as with various cross functional teams in Japan and Cupertino.

Responsibilities

• Fixture Maintenance for Apple Shops Program
• Preparing, counting, tracking of demo and other elements which are required for store merchandizing refresh at New Product Launch (NPI) timing
• Planing and executing continuous merchandizing check program at store front
• Periodical update of business figures related to merchandizing program to identify program effectiveness and future program priorities
• Planning, tracking and managing of annual budget for all initiatives in Channel Sales Programs
• Management of external vendors for shop rounder, mystery shopper, cross channel support dial call centre, and manage On-site vendor at Apple office
• Planning, program management and cross functional collaboration teams in Japan and Cupertino

Minimum Qualifications

• 8~10 years of Channel development, in-store program development experience
• Retail Sales and merchandising operation experience in an indirect Channel/Partner environment
• Must be sensitive to new technology (especially Apple Technology and ecosystem), including, but not limited to, Connected Home, Health Kit, CarPlay, and how these technologies with macOS, iOS, watchOS and tvOS can turn into new in-store/omni channel customer experience programs for end users.
• Ability to balance short-term execution needs with long-term strategic and scalability views to ensure constant support of channel POS and partners.
• Established and proven experience in collaborating with internal stakeholders to achieve goals as a virtual team, including strong project management of complex issues
• Exceptional written communications skills both in English and Japanese, strong verbal conversational English communication skills is mandatory.
• Experience in complex retail 2D graphics, 3D fixtures, planograms, asset and vendor/field management

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to be effective in both direct and virtual team situations, and managing through influence.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity, and thus we treat all applicants fairly and equally. Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities.