Overview

DVx Ventures is developing a repeatable process to launch and scale transformational new companies. Our mission is to create a platform that purposefully builds companies that have a positive impact on consumers’ lives, help businesses thrive, and have a fundamentally favorable impact on our economy and society.  This team has a proven full-stage track record of changing the velocity of company trajectories (thus DVx).  

Loop is DVx’s second startup and we are well on the way to transforming the $20B global durable baby goods market. Loop makes parenting easier, more affordable and gentler on the planet by providing families unrivaled month-to-month access to top-rated pre-loved products that are safe and age-appropriate for each stage of a child’s development.  As a membership-based subscription service, Loop gives parents more confidence and removes the hassle of buying, owning and storing or disposing of baby gear.  We handpick the best items, deliver them fully assembled to members’ doorstep, let parents and children try things out, swap and use the products that work, and then take items back  when families are done with them and need to move on to Loop the next items.  

All Loop members are like family to us, and we strive to provide honest advice, personalized recommendations and the best possible service. When Members join Loop, they’re joining a community of parents who want the best for their baby, their lifestyle, our communities and the planet. 

We are now investing to build out the Loop team, product and company. 

The Role

As we chart our next phase of growth, we are seeking a Head of Merchandising who will develop product and business strategies by focusing on how profitability, product positioning, and forecasted growth will continue to build the brand identity. This leader is responsible for ensuring the development, execution, and communication of category strategies will meet or exceed financial goals and must develop partnerships with cross-functional partners across Marketing, Operations and Product. 

This role can be remote with a strong preference for someone to work from the company’s initial markets in the Bay Area or New York. The role will be an important part of the company's leadership team from Day 1 and will report directly to the CEO.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute product assortment strategy: 
  • Develop short, medium and long range plan to achieve revenue, Gross Margin (GM) percent and absolute dollar targets
  • Use strong product, marketing and financial skills to develop the key criteria to assess and prioritize what product assortment to include to achieve those plans 
  • Determine what categories, brands, products and SKUs to add or cull from our assortment 
  • Scout amazing new products which will delight our Members and work with our rental / subscription model
  • Develop a system to test changes and new products to our assortment to assess their value to the community and business
• Develop and execute the pricing strategy for our catalog
• Design and implement product marketing and merchandising programs to promote and build growth of Members, product categories and products to help drive member acquisition and monthly recurring revenue. More specifically, responsible for:
  • Product catalog and detail page content
  • Product bundles and promotions
  • Product marketing, content and messaging to prospects and Members via online social, paid advertising, email campaigns, etc
  • Work cross-functionally with Product and Marketing teams to deploy tactics to drive growth in your categories including photography planning, site merchandising, and email strategy.  
• Own all elements of procurement including:
  • Negotiating agreements and partnerships with manufacturers to obtain strong pricing and terms
  • Helping design tools and develop and execute programs to grow alternative sources of low cost, high quality products   (e.g., RMAs and outlet sales from OEMs, secondary market purchases via third party marketplaces or platforms/offers to our Loop Members, …)
  • Designing and implementing processes and systems to forecast demand and manage supply by reducing our lead time and maximizing our Just-in-Time availability of products 
  • Purchasing products for all of our operations to meet demand, cost and quality goals 
  • Designing and implementing a rigorous data-driven approach to measuring our savings and successfully lowering our cost of goods 
• Negotiate strategic business development partnerships with OEMs and other product partners 
• Lead and manage projects to develop new “private label” and/or exclusive Loop products (e.g., Toy Box)
• Define the org strategy for the Merchandising team in order to continue to support Loop’s growth 
• Build our culture, vision, missions and values

Qualifications and Capabilities

• 10 years of experience in merchandising and e-commerce. Experience in juvenile and subscription businesses is a significant plus.
• Deep functional expertise that spans category management, buying, site merchandising, e-commerce, supply chain management, product marketing and product development  
• Experience launching new products and building strategies in both new and existing businesses
• An ability to select great products that are on trend and sell through, leveraging marketing trends and historical data 
• Strong expertise in managing external partner relationships (vendors, suppliers), as well as expert negotiating skills 
• Known for creativity, innovation & entrepreneurial agility; passion for building new products and businesses from “0 to 1”
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment & adapt to shifting priorities
• Exceptional attention to detail, process orientation and an analytical mindset
• Experience working with or a personal interest in the baby/new family formation category
• MBA a plus