Director, Retail Planning, Product Development & Operations

SeaWorld is a world-renowned leader in the themed-park 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. We're always seeking exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable individuals to join our team.

The Director, Retail Planning, Product Development & Operations is the enterprise-level leader responsible for driving merchandise planning, leading product development, and ensuring strong operational alignment across United Parks & Resorts. This role serves as the primary strategic partner and #2 to the VP of Retail, providing leadership across planning, forecasting, development, sourcing, and in-park execution. The Director ensures that merchandise strategies, inventory plans, and product development initiatives are aligned to enterprise priorities and delivered cohesively across all parks.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategic Leadership

• Act as the primary enterprise leader supporting the VP of Retail across Planning, Product Development, and Operations
• Drive integrated strategies across Planning, Product Development, Sourcing, and Operations.
• Translate organizational priorities into actionable cross-functional plans.

Planning & Merchandising Strategy

• Lead the enterprise merchandise planning function (forecasting, inventory, long-range planning).
• Oversee sales targets, margin planning, OTB, and receipt management.
• Provide pricing and assortment direction across all parks.
• Deliver enterprise performance insights.

Product Development Leadership

• Lead end-to-end product development strategy from concept through delivery.
• Manage category timelines, milestone reviews, costing, and sourcing strategy.
• Oversee design, production, and quality for all owned-brand and licensed products.
• Ensure alignment with brand standards, compliance, and guest experience goals.

Operational Alignment

• Partner with Operations and park Retail teams to ensure execution readiness.
• Provide visibility into delivery timelines, inventory, and constraints.
• Align Planning, Development, and Operations on priorities and timing.

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Lead vendor negotiations and sourcing decisions.
• Oversee vendor performance, quality assurance, and compliance.

Licensing Leadership

• Manage SEA’s licensed-out product approval process.
• Develop and maintain brand standards for licensees.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with design, marketing, finance, operations, and sourcing.
• Lead business updates and communication forums.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead Planning and Product Development teams.
• Build culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
• Build talent pipelines and succession planning.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive innovation in product, process, and speed-to-market.

• Lead cost optimization and forecasting improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years leadership in planning, product development, or retail management.
• Experience with enterprise planning systems, forecasting, sourcing, and operations.
• Strong analytical, strategic, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Theme park or destination retail experience preferred.

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.