VP, Wholesale, Consumer Products, & Partner Operated bei Build-A-Bear

The Vice President, Wholesale, Consumer Products, & Partner Operated (Retail) is a commercial leader responsible for driving category growth, optimizing omnichannel strategies, and deepening partnerships across retail platforms. This role will oversee all non-direct-to-consumer channels – ensuring brand consistency, operational excellence, and category leadership in both owned and partner-operated environments.

Responsibilities:

• Lead integrated business strategies across wholesale distribution, consumer products, and third-party retail partnerships to drive brand visibility and revenue
• Oversee execution across brick-and-mortar, shop-in-shop, and partner-managed retail footprints – aligning brand standards, merchandising, and customer experience
• Collaborate with Product, Merchandising, and Supply Chain to align inventory planning with sell-through trends and seasonal assortment strategies
• Build strong retail partner relationships through joint business planning, category management, and store-level performance insights
• Monitor market dynamics and consumer behaviors to inform pricing, promotions, and channel expansion strategies
• Integrate digital commerce into physical retail environments, ensuring a cohesive omnichannel journey and data-driven decision-making
• Drive continuous improvement in channel operations, while cultivating a high-performing, agile team culture
• Champion innovation in product packaging, retail merchandising, and value-added services to elevate the consumer experience

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, or related field
• 10-12 years of experience in retail, wholesale, or consumer packaged goods
• Proven success in scaling retail presence, launching new categories, and managing complex commercial partnerships
• Deep understanding of retail merchandising, customer insights, and shopper marketing strategies
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA
• 12+ years of experience in retail, wholesale, or consumer packaged goods

Behavioral Traits for Success:

• Driven to achieve results that align with the strategic goals of the organization 
• Initiative, sense of urgency, and the ability to stay focused on results despite changing conditions 
• Decision-making is focused on implementing practical and timely solutions 
• Self-assured and confident while engaging the commitment of others 
• A leadership style that is goal-oriented and yet motivates, trains, and engages others 
• Effective delegator 
• Prioritize achieving results through collaborative and effective systems, rather than focusing on implementation details
• Innovative and creative problem problems solver 
• Comfortable with risk 

Working Environment:

• Typical office environment with climate control and sufficient lighting, ergonomic desk/chairs
• Hybrid work schedule
• 40% Domestic Travel

Your Performance Will Be Measured On:

Your performance will be measured by your ability to achieve annual department objectives and corporate goals which include but are not limited to the following.

• Decision-making, judgment, and execution
• Revenue growth
• Use of data
• Key performance indicators
• Synchronized strategies
• Ability to influence upward and across peer set
• Communication
• Ability to foster team collaboration, communication, and performance
• Stakeholder Feedback

This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent an expressed or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter your at-will employment, and Build-A-Bear, Inc. reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as may deem appropriate.