Manager, Global Licensed Brands - Merchandising, Disney Theatrical Group

At Disney Theatrical Group we strive to create a culture of innovation, inclusion, collaboration, and creativity.  Stories shape how we see ourselves and everyone around us. As storytellers, we have the power to not only uplift and inspire, but also to champion the spectrum of voices in our world.  If you want to help tell compelling, diverse, and enduring stories through live theater, we want to hear from you. 

As a leading player in the ticketed live events industry, we are committed to delivering exceptional retail products and experiences to our customers. As the Manager, Global Licensed Brands, you will be responsible for managing and developing our international stage play network of retail licensees to exceed sales goals, while also ensuring strong brand management across all channels.  This role will extend scope beyond DTG Stage licensees to include ticketed live events with retail components to review and approve assortments, provide company brand updates, and ensure visual merchandising standards are upheld. This individual will also manage the division’s wholesale business and operations for domestic and international customers.

Responsibilities:

International & Domestic Licensed Sales

• Manage the relationship with our third-party sales leaders at our international theatrical stage plays licensed productions to exceed weekly sales targets. This includes, but not limited to:
  • Weekly Sales Analysis which includes reviewing top selling items, demographic impact, selling promotions and other strategies that would influence the business
  • Assortment Planning: Consistently evaluate assortments for best and worst sellers and create action plans to move the business forward, via new additions, markdowns, promotions etc.
  • Inventory and Wholesale Orders: Ensuring licensees are in stock of all Disney wholesale items and placing re-orders accordingly, working with them to generate new self-developed product. This also includes working with our Wholesale Coordinator and the Licensee Buyers to fulfil all wholesale orders. Knowing industry standards for freight forwarding companies and customs/duties to get the goods from either our vendors and/or warehouses to their facilities.
  • Licensee Produced Items: Partner with DTG internal product manager to obtain feedback and approvals on the new merchandise additions the licensee wants to produce.
• Communicates with other Disney merchandise division for ongoing education of sales, trends and synergy opportunities. Long term planning for seasonal promotions.
• Partner with Inventory Buyer to ensure proper stock allocation on all international orders and work towards 6 month buy plans for licensees.
• Partner with Sr. Financial Analyst to set sales forecasts for all international productions
• Educate and manage all new productions with licensees to ensure proper roll out of merchandise assortments, kiosks and overall launch needs as the main project manager.
• Hold regular meetings with licensees and other internal stakeholders to ensure regular communications are taking place with tangible results.

Corporate & Wholesale Sales

• Manages and develops sales forecasts for all international and domestic wholesale customers through sales strategies for exceeding goals. This includes International Licensees, MTI productions, Disney Online Shopping in the U.S., Playbill.com and NYC based theatre shops
• Partner with finance and accounting to implement sales forecasts, report actual sales, manage invoicing and payment reconciliation, and maintains historical database relating to all wholesale businesses
• Help identify new business opportunities and build beyond existing customer base, adhering to brand standards
• Responsible for defining business needs and improving workflow and tools to maximize sales potential
• Manage the Assistant Manager of Licensed Brands in the relationship management of all licensees.
  • Ensure they are up to date on all Consumer Product Brands Updated within TWDC and are putting together tools to communicate to Licensees on a consistent basis.
  • Roll out Quarterly Product Updates to Licensees on new Stage Plays Creative
  • Review, Facilitate and Approve new product requests through creative, ILS and product integrity.
  • Visual Merchandising Planograms for licensed partners. 
• Manage the Wholesale Coordinator roles to ensure that all U.S. wholesale orders are being properly fulfilled, shipped and invoiced on a timely basis. Also, working with the DFC and NYC Retail Managers to ensure proper stock room inventory levels.
  • Develops and maintains wholesale product and pricing catalogue for all potential wholesale clients
  • Monitors all wholesale invoices, and partners with accounting on all payments, wire transfers and credits. Also ensures that proper reconciliation with accounting team are being maintained and aligned with ERPLY.
  • Ensure ERPLY (inventory and invoice system) has proper stock levels by conducting a monthly audit of the online and corporate stores.
  • Accurately document all transfers and shipments through ERPLY, our inventory and reporting system.
• Manages DTG internal sales processes and facilitates business-model changes and process adoption. Manage the Assistant Manager of Licensed Brands and the Wholesale Coordinator in the fulfilment logistics, communications and invoicing of these requests.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Licensed Brands and/or Wholesale Management Experience
• Strong understanding of the retail industry and current market trends
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in brand management in a consumer product environment
• Proven track record of successfully managing long distance licensing partnerships
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Proven ability to build and develop teams
• Experience implementing new processes and procedure to streamline efficiency
• Possess a keen understanding of wholesale logistical processes
• Proficient PC skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other system programs

Additional Qualifications:

• Additional Languages a plus (especially, German, Spanish, Japanese)
• Use of Inventory, Invoicing and Reporting Systems

Disney Theatrical Group, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart, and Thomas Schumacher. Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles, including the current Broadway productions of The Lion King and Aladdin, have been seen by more than 200 million theatregoers and have been nominated for 62 Tony® Awards, winning Broadway’s highest honor 20 times. Disney Theatrical Group also delivers live shows globally through its license to Feld Entertainment, producer of Disney on Ice. In addition, DTG licenses musical titles for local, school and community theatre productions through Music Theatre International, resulting in over 500,000 performances around the world reaching audiences of more than 150 million.

Additional Information:

DTG is committed to providing the highest quality opportunities for the widest, most diverse group of talented professionals throughout their career trajectory. We encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds are currently underrepresented in the field of theater, inclusive of race, ethnicity, class, gender identity or expression, disability, and sexual orientation. 

The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $88,500 to $114,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.