Manager Retail Product Development

SeaWorld is a worldrenowned leader in the themedpark and entertainment industry. Our success is built on a passion for caring for animals and a dedication to delivering positive memorable experiences to people from around the world. Were also committed to helping ambitious people achieve their professional best. Were always seeking exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable individuals to join our team.

What you get to do:

As the Manager Retail Product Development you will lead the endtoend lifecycle of exclusive highimpact retail products ensuring alignment with strategic goals and delivering measurable business growth. With an eye for innovation and a focus on guest satisfaction you will oversee product ideation development and while driving collaboration across departments and fostering strategic vendor partnerships. Your leadership will directly shape the retail merchandise strategy and contribute to the brands market leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership in Product Development:
  • Define and execute a comprehensive product development strategy that aligns with the companys retail objectives guest expectations and brand vision.
  • Utilize deep market insights trend analysis and demographic research to develop innovative product assortments that resonate with diverse customer segments.
  • Partner with senior leadership to establish longterm merchandising strategies and drive the development of bestinclass exclusive products.
• Vendor and Supplier Management:
  • Establish and nurture highvalue vendor relationships ensuring mutual alignment on quality cost compliance and delivery expectations.
  • Negotiate complex agreements with vendors optimizing costs production schedules lead times and material quality to drive profitability and operational efficiency.
  • Oversee vendor performance ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards and proactively address challenges to maintain supply chain integrity.
• Merchandising Strategy and Business Planning:
  • Analyze business performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth recovery and optimization developing actionable strategies to achieve sales and profitability goals.
  • Collaborate with planning and inventory management teams to anticipate replenishment needs address inventory gaps and execute reorders seamlessly.
  • Provide datadriven recommendations for pricing product placement and promotions ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
• CrossFunctional Collaboration:
  • Lead collaborative efforts with design marketing planning and operations teams to ensure cohesive of product initiatives across channels.
  • Deliver regular updates and performance analyses to key stakeholders providing insights and recommendations to support strategic decisionmaking.
  • Champion innovation and creativity across the product development process driving collaboration to deliver products that exceed guest expectations.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance:
  • Oversee all aspects of product safety testing and compliance to ensure adherence to federal regulations and company standards.
  • Implement rigorous quality assurance protocols to uphold the brands reputation for excellence.
• Team Leadership and Development:
  • Lead a team of Product Developers across multiple categories to develop a cohesive and impactful assortment that meets the Companys objectives.
  • Serve as a mentor and leader within the Retail team fostering a culture of innovation accountability and professional growth.
  • Act as a role model for high performance and collaboration inspiring the team to achieve ambitious goals.
  • Drive team engagement through open communication feedback and recognition of achievements.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
  • Stay ahead of industry trends bringing fresh ideas and innovative solutions to enhance the product development process and guest experience.
  • Identify opportunities to optimize processes reduce costs and improve timetomarket for new products.
• Other Responsibilities:
  • Partner with leadership across the company on special projects and initiatives that drive the companys success.
  • Serve as the approver for all licensed products.

What it takes to succeed:

• Minimum of 710 years of progressive experience in retail product development merchandising or a related field with a proven track record of success in a managerial or leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in product safety compliance and quality standards with experience managing complex product portfolios.
• Deep knowledge of the product development lifecycle including vendor sourcing cost management trend forecasting and assortment planning.
• Exceptional negotiation and communication skills with a history of securing advantageous vendor agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen with the ability to interpret data identify opportunities and implement strategic solutions.
• Experience with import sourcing and navigating global supply chains preferred.
• Proven ability to lead crossfunctional teams and drive collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• A passion for delivering innovative guestfocused merchandise that drives revenue and enhances brand value.
• Previous theme park or airport gift shop experience is a plus although not required.

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of retail at United Parks & Resorts driving innovation guest satisfaction and business growth in a fastpaced dynamic environment.

The perks of the position:

• Paid Time Off
• Complimentary Park Tickets and Passes
• Park Discounts on Food and Merchandise
• Medical Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401K Retirement plan
• Voluntary Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Legal Assistance Plan

EEO Employer:

SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE RACE COLOR RELIGION SEX NATIONAL ORIGIN SEXUAL ORIENTATION PREGNANCY GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION DISABILITY OR COVERED VETERAN STATUS.