Merchandising Director for Consumer IoT

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at over 1,800 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit to communities, that giving equals more than $4 million a week.

As the Merchandising Director, Consumer IoT you will lead merchandising and product development capabilities for SF Innovation Office focused on the consumer “Internet of things” (IoT) market. You will be responsible for assessing the dynamically changing technology market and identifying white space opportunities for the enterprise to pursue including defining potential market positions, crafting monetization strategies and establishing key partnership that enable Target to win in the IoT industry. You will be the office liaison for merchandising and help craft the ‘playbook’ that define how Target will work with start-ups developing smart devices. The keys to the success of this position requires having strong & innovative approach to problem solving, solid digital acumen, excellent communication (written and verbal, formal and informal), flexibility, and a self-motivated working style with attention to detail.

* Develop and foster merchandising and industry relationships though personal experience, research abilities, and personal network internal and external to Target. * Be the expert on emerging trends in the startup ecosphere and retail. * Plan profitable products assortments and manage complex vendor relationships * Define monetization business models that yield new revenues streams stemming from IoT (consumer); define and conduct tests to validate the potential models including exploration of new partnership models (e.g.. convertible debt, royalty and equity hurdles, sales covenants) * Collaborate cross-functionally across the enterprise (HQ, SF, Sunnyvale, TI etc) and effectively influence without authority to drive business decisions and advance long-term transformation efforts centered in IoT and the interrelated EKI’s * Identify and assessment new IoT products (1st and 3rd party ) including start-up due diligence and advisement * Participate in industry shaping forums and governance settings bodies to help influence the direction of the IoT industry (e.g allseems, Intel consortium) * Work directly with startups and entrepreneurs in the IoT market * Lead, coach and train direct reports, creating an atmosphere of team work and collaboration

**Skills** * Strong digital acumen and interest in technology. * Self-starting innovator, with a broad level of ownership across assigned product categories. * Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present in a clear and concise manner to variety of audiences * Team-orientated, passionate about developing others’ skills and capabilities * Understanding of design of experiences and consumer testing methodologies * High level of intellectual curiosity and comfort with ambiguity * Strong sense of ownership and problem solving skills. * Self-motivated **Background** * 4-year college degree required; related advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience. * 6+ years of diverse retail & operations, merchandising, planning, store operations, vendor management, and operations strategy experience. Strong consideration for experience in developing new to the market products or services. * Understands how to navigate organizations internally, with the lens of advocating for new methods of partnerships and merchandising. * Deep expertise in either supply chain, store operations, or digital operations with a good understanding of all aspects of the process to bring a product through the supply chain and onto the physical or digital shelf. * Proven ability to think strategically about guest needs, market dynamics, and business impact. * Understands the retail industry and how it has changing, inclusive of traditional brick and mortar, digital and emerging channels.