Job description
As a Managing Consultant for our Global Business Services (GBS) Strategy & Transformation (Distribution Sector) Team, you will be expected to support complex merchandising strategy projects and assist the executive team in sales proposal situations and on client engagements. Engagements typically involve technology, process and organizational initiatives focused on merchandise planning, store planning, assortment planning, category management, merchant analytics, promotion planning, pricing optimization, and brand management; as well as the implementation of software packages designed to help manage these processes/decisions. This role involves gathering facts, analyzing the client's business (competitors, markets, customers, value propositions, operational models, etc), drawing conclusions, and reporting upon that work. Proficiency in developing channel and client relationships and assisting in the closing of new business is required. This is a hands on project delivery role in a complex environment. Responsibilities may include providing overall project management, supporting teams of strategy consultants, counsel to clients, oversight and accountability for delivery success, and client satisfaction.
Specifically, the Manager will:
- Provide client and IBM team support of projects that span requirements, design, development, and deployment, as well as assist in support of executive sales efforts for new and future work.
- Provide merchandising industry guidance, strategies, and best practices.
- Maintain merchandising/retail industry references, approaches, IBM contacts and competitive analysis, in support of both general industry solutions and specific solutions for merchandising.
- Help build and lead internal communities of IBM industry practitioners.
- Help contribute to the creation of IBM positions on specific merchandising industry topics.
- Define, develop and use repeatable consulting industry solutions.
- Transfer knowledge to local IBM teams through training and side-by-side engagement work.
PLEASE NOTE: This position requires consulting experience w/in a consulting firm or professional services organization.
Locations: Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Cinci., OH; Columbus, OH; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Hartford, CT; Houston, TX; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Minne., MN; NYC and surrounding areas; Phila., PA; San Fran., CA; Tulsa, OK; and Wash., D
Required
- Bachelor's Degree
- At least 3 years experience in supporting and/or leading strategy projects within the merchandising/retail industry via a consulting firm or professional services organization.
- At least 3 years experience in promotion planning, space planning, and product planning.
- At least 3 years experience in supporting teams and client management in large-scale merchandising strategy/transformation projects (ie: forecasting/replenishment), involving technology, process, and organizational change.
- At least 2 years experience in 1 or more of the following merchandising applications: Oracle, SAP, JDA, SaaS, or other related merchandising applications.
- At least 1 year experience in end to end project implementations in a retail/merchandising environment.
- At least 2 years experience in merchandising inventory management.
- At least 3 years experience in core transactional planning with specialty retailers, mass merchandisers, and/or grocery.
- At least 2 years experience in preparing (in PowerPoint, Excel, etc) and presenting information and proposals to clients and senior project resources.
- Readiness to travel Up to 4 days a week (home on weekends-based on project requirements)
- English: Fluent
Preferred
- Master's Degree
- At least 8 years experience in supporting and/or leading strategy projects within the merchandising/retail industry via a consulting firm or professional services organization.
- At least 8 years experience in promotion planning, space planning, and product planning.
- At least 7 years experience in supporting teams and client management in large-scale merchandising strategy/transformation projects (ie: forecasting/replenishment), involving technology, process, and organizational change.
- At least 5 years experience in 1 or more of the following merchandising applications: Oracle, SAP, JDA, SaaS, or other related merchandising applications.
- At least 3 years experience in a range of product categories such as soft-lines, hard-lines and fast-moving consumer goods.
- At least 5 years experience in end to end project implementations in a retail/merchandising environment.
- At least 3 years experience in merchandising/retail analytics.
- At least 3 years experience in merchandising inventory management.
- At least 6 years experience in preparing (in PowerPoint, Excel, etc) and presenting information and proposals to clients and senior project resources.
Additional information
To be an official applicant to IBM, you must submit a resume and online application. Resumes submitted remain active for six months.
To ALL recruitment agencies: IBM only accepts resumes from agencies on our Approved Agency List. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, IBM employees, or send to any IBM company location. IBM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.