Director, F&B Product Strategy

Wanda Sports Group Company Limited; Leawood (KS); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic Director of Food and Beverage Product Strategy to lead the innovative development of merchandise and gaming products. This role demands a strategic thinker with a passion for pop culture and retail, who can drive product innovation and optimize operational processes. You will work collaboratively across teams to enhance the guest experience and ensure profitability. If you are motivated by creativity, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and have a knack for understanding market trends, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Benefits

401(k) Match

Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage

Accrued Vacation Time

Annual Bonus Opportunity

Free Movies

Casual Work Environment

Hybrid Work Schedule

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in retail or e-commerce, particularly in pop culture merchandise.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and product development.

Responsibilities

• Lead product strategy for merchandise and gaming, focusing on innovation and profitability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product offerings and guest experience.

Skills

Retail Experience

E-commerce Knowledge

Product Management

Market Research

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Creative Thinking

Team Leadership

Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Related Field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Do you speak in movie quotes? Have a movie moment that changed your life? If you love all things movies, you may be a perfect fit for our team!

AMC has propelled industry innovation since 1920, and we continue to innovate by delivering premium sight and sound, new and improved food and beverage options, and diverse content in our state-of-the-art theatres.

What you will be doing :

• Lead the development and execution of merchandise and gaming strategies aligned with AMC's brand, market trends, and customer expectations.
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and prototyping to market launch, ensuring products meet customer needs and drive business growth.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and customer insights to inform product strategy.
• Develop product roadmaps, business cases, and go-to-market plans for merchandise and gaming products.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing partners, marketing, supply chain, theatre operations teams, and the Director of Category Management to deliver innovative, cost-effectiveness, and timely products.
• Effectively manage cross departmental teams to drive the AMC Merchandise and Gaming business' forward, always targeting the growth of Transaction Percentage, Profitability, and guest acceptance.
• Drive continuous improvement through feedback, testing, and iterative product development.
• Foster long-term relationships with suppliers and industry partners to maintain AMC's competitive edge.
• Provide support for field leaders through training, market visits and proactive engagement.
• Lead an exciting and rapidly growing area within our business, focused on profitability and creating irresistible products for guests.
• Analyze business data and implement changes for continuous improvement.
• Analyze and share out financial results and identified opportunities in the areas of merchandise, merchandising, collectibles, apparel, gaming, and arcade to maximize profitability for AMC.
• Enhance and improve current business processes including accounting, inventory and PO reconciliation procedures.

What we need from you :

• 5+ years retail, e-commerce or hospitality experience with a licensed or pop culture merchandise or other entertainment organization or commensurate experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to travel occasionally, up to 10% of the time.
• A passion for film, collectibles, pop-culture, and co-branded products.
• A fundamental understanding of building a category of products where one did not previously exist.
• Experience leading a team in brick-and-mortal retail.
• Strong understanding of retail inventory management and product management practices.
• Ability to develop launch tools and field-facing guides, with excellent technical writing skills.
• Ability to evaluate the success or failure of product introductions, with a "Fail Fast" mentality to quickly pivot and improve.
• Willingness to collaborate, listen to diverse perspectives, and incorporate feedback to enhance products.
• Demonstrated creative ability and outside-the-box thinking to develop innovative and unique products.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strong ability to build and maintain professional relationships within the industry.

What we also value (preferred) :

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail, or a related field.
• 5+ years of product development experience with licensed or pop culture merchandise.
• Experience in a corporate-level merchandising or buying role (e.g., Manager, Sr. Manager, Category Manager, Buyer, Sr. Buyer, or Director).
• 3+ years product development experience for a high-volume national licensed or pop culture merchandise organization.
• Experience with factory and wholesale vendor partnerships.
• Experience in brand building, with a focus on pop culture and licensed merchandise.
• Understanding of international product manufacturing and logistics, specifically ocean freight shipping.
• Experience in negotiating with vendors and developing joint product concepts.
• Familiarity with e-commerce execution and logistics best practices.
• Creative eye and product intuition.
• A keen awareness of entertainment trends, cultural moments, and fan communities.
• Basic understanding of marketing strategies for product launches and introductions.
• Proficiency in marketplace trend research, with the ability to analyze core reports and translate insights into actionable product development strategies.
• Awareness of emerging lifestyle brands and the potential for co-branding opportunities.
• Working knowledge of planogram design and maintenance.

AMC team members enjoy a very competitive benefits package including a hybrid (remote / in-office) schedule and annual bonus opportunity for most positions, accrued vacation / absentee time, medical / dental / vision coverage, 401(k) match, an open and casual work environment equipped with Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, half off eats and drinks at the theatre, and most importantly for us movie people...FREE movies at any of our theatres nationwide!

AMC's company culture is focused on innovation and diversity to ensure that we provide the latest and greatest experience for our guests and associates. We lead by example in doing what is right and take responsibility for our own results and our company's success. Our open work environment promotes teamwork and unscripted conversations, resulting in fast solutions and therefore, better outcomes.

We appreciate your interest in AMC and look forward to seeing you at the movies!

AMC and its subsidiaries are committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. AMC strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination and will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to an applicant's race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, military status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other reason prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

• 5+ years retail, e-commerce or hospitality experience with a licensed or pop culture merchandise or other entertainment organization or commensurate experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to travel occasionally, up to 10% of the time.

About AMC

AMC amazing. That's the promise we deliver to hundreds of millions of guests domestically and worldwide each year. AMC has propelled industry innovation since 1920, and we continue to innovate by delivering premium sight and sound, new and improved food and beverage options, and diverse content in our state-of-the-art theatres. We focus on delivering friendly, superior service to our guests. We lead by example, have fun, and give back to the communities where we live and work. If you feel motivated and energized by our culture, and if you can name your three favorite movies in the next 30 seconds, then AMC may be the right place for you. We offer competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and an environment that encourages teamwork, inclusion, collaboration, and results.

Job Summary

The Director, Food and Beverage Product Strategy - Merchandise and Gaming leads the strategic vision and development of AMC's merchandise and on-site gaming business. This role drives product innovation, optimizes operational processes, and increases profitability through creative thinking, trend analysis, and cross-functional leadership. By strengthening product offerings and improving business performance, this role enhances the guest experience across in-theatre and E-Commerce offerings.

This position is based in Leawood, KS and is eligible for relocation.

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Director Strategy • Leawood, KS, United States