Manager, Global Sourcing - Marshall Retail Group

About Us:

WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company’s international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.

Marshall Retail Group prides itself on creating unique experiences for customers by developing distinctive retail store concepts that feature and highlight the local culture, community, and lifestyle of the cities in which they are located. InMotion Entertainment Group is the largest airport-based electronics retailer in travel locations globally, with access and insight into the latest technologies for business and leisure travelers, InMotion offers lifestyle products and electronics that include a wide breadth of headphones, mobile power, Bluetooth speakers and travel accessories.

The Creative Manager on the Global Sourcing Team, you will drive innovative design solutions, product development, and trend forecasting that align with WHSmith NA’s brand sourcing strategies and market demands.

You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in the areas of product development, design, merchandising, and suppliers worldwide to ensure brand consistency, quality, and alignment with market trends.

This role requires a blend of creativity and strategic thinking, assisting the Director of Global Sourcing NA in the creative direction of sourced products from concept to final production while keeping brand standards and cost-effectiveness in mind.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal development and merchandising teams to design brand appropriate goods for retail locations throughout North America.
• Will conceptualize, sketch, and present new designs for hard- and soft-line products.
• Oversee creative briefing sessions to ensure the goods developed are executed to meet expectations, within timelines provided.
• Maintain and uphold brand guidelines to ensure consistency.
• Manage cross functional creative requests for marketing goods produced pre and post launch.
• Identify best practices for file management and organization.
• Creating trend boards each season and presenting to internal teams.
• Research competitors, target audiences, and industry trends to inform and enhance design decisions.
• Summarize and present research results to internal teams utilizing this knowledge in design process.
• Revise and refine designs based on feedback from team members to ensure they meet the designed standards and specifications.
• Plan design and marketing strategies for upcoming seasons, holidays, and promotions.
• Partner with (Tara and Tanya) on long-term strategic planning and creative to support the team’s goals.
• Prepare and deliver final design files in the appropriate formats for development and production.
• Handle multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project timelines.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent preferred.
• Understanding of trends within all aspects of the WHSmith portfolio. Proactively looking to put WHS in front of market trends.
• Seasoned collaborative mind, must possess a positive attitude and energy. Ability to lead and be led.
• Able to work independently, managing multiple projects simultaneously, shifting focus as needed to meet business needs.
• Requires passion and creativity, along with versatility and focus to see designs through the product creation process and bring them to life.
• At least 7 years’ experience in branded creative design, managing complex projects for multiple channels or brands.
• Proficiency in graphic applications, development, schematic tools and apparel product development. Adobe Creative Suite, working knowledge of Excel and Word.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong portfolio of creative work (must submit).
• Ability to separate art files.
• Willingness to work non-standard hours to collaborate with teammates and suppliers around the globe.

Benefits & More:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• FREE Life Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 401k with company match
• Amazing Employee Discount at all our stores
• Career Advancement Opportunities

EEO/ADA/DFWP

WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law. At WHSmith North America, it’s about each person bringing passion and skills to a dynamic and inclusive workplace