Job Description
The Licensing Manager supports Licensing commercial strategies by managing all aspects of business for Childrenswear licensed product categories. This person will need to be a strong relationship builder, managing relationships with Licensees and a large breadth of internal cross functional teams including Merchandising, Sourcing, Design/Tech Design, Corporate Strategy, Finance, and Legal. This role supports both Regional teams and Global Brand leadership to ensure implementation of commercial strategy for the licensed childrenswear business and proper brand positioning across wholesale channels.
The ideal candidate has strong communication skills, is solution-oriented and able to navigate new and unknown problems by helping to set new standards, procedures and juggle multiple partner perspectives to meet deliverables.
This job is located at our Global Home Office in Columbus, Ohio.
What Will You Be Doing?
Develop annual business growth plans with Licensees and project future revenues with Finance. Prepare for Licensee Annual Strategy Meeting; track and ensure execution of all commercial strategies that are agreed Oversee delivery of Licensee’s global merch plan inclusive of class planning by season by size range/gender and ensure that Licensee’s line plan for sku development supports achievement of same Market Trends and Competitive Analysis – conduct in depth analysis on industry developments; benchmark competitors for pricing, assortment by size range, emerging opportunities; assess market activities to inform strategic decisions Work with Licensing Director/VP and global brand leaders on ambitions for each category license annually, including category expansions and distortions Partner with Regional buying teams to communicate products needed by license in upcoming seasons Review requests from Licensees for distribution by channel & region and make recommendations to Licensing VP for approval Summarize post-market order book doors and order volume by Region/Account Assist in potential partner vetting, support partner proposal process, contract terms & negotiations support New partner onboarding support Maintain A&F manual of best practices and ensure partners are adhering to A&F standards Marketing up front guidance & support – partners with Marketing Licensing Liaison to ensure marketing and branding approvals/requests are fulfilled. Escalates issues as needed with licensee partners for compliance Product up front guidance & support – partners with Design & Sourcing Licensing Liaisons to ensure approvals and any creative requests are fulfilled. Escalates issues as needed with licensee partners for compliance Visual & showroom direction and POS shop-in-shop installations for wholesale channel: standards and setup – partners with Store Design to ensure brand deliverables are met
What Do You Need To Bring?
Bachelor’s Degree or related experience 6+ years of experience in Licensing or related Product background in areas such as Merchandising, Planning or Sourcing Entrepreneurial spirit with ability to handle significant responsibility Highly organized and detail oriented Ability to think and react in a high-energy, fast-paced environmentOur Company
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally-led, omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.
Our Values
Our corporate purpose of being here for you on the journey to being and becoming who you are, fuels our customer-led brands and our global associates. We lead with this purpose and always put our people first, which is evidenced by our Great Place to Work™ Certification, as well as being named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign. In addition to equitable compensation and benefit offerings, including flexibility and competitive Paid Time Off, we offer a range of educational and engagement opportunities, including various Associate Resource Groups, volunteer opportunities and additional time off to give back to our global communities.
What You'll Get
As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F is committed to providing simple, competitive, and comprehensive benefits that align with our Company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:
Incentive bonus program401(K) savings plan with company matchAnnual companywide review processFlexible spending accountsMedical, dental, and vision insuranceLife and disability insuranceAssociate assistance programPaid parental and adoption leaveAccess to fertility and adoption benefits through CarrotAccess to mental health and wellness app, HeadspacePaid Caregiver LeaveMobile StipendPaid time off & one paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to give back to your communityWork from anywhere (Mondays and Fridays are “work from anywhere” days for most roles & six work from anywhere weeks per year)Seven associate wellness half days per yearOnsite fitness centerMerchandise discount on all of our brandsOpportunities for career advancement, we believe in promoting from withinAccess to multiple Associate Resource GroupsGlobal team of people who will celebrate you for being YOU!Additional InformationABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER