Merchandising Manager, Apparel, Basketball

Through sport we have the power to change lives. Sport is our past, present, and future and connects deeply with our purpose. We will always strive to expand the limits of human possibilities, to include and unite people in sport and to create a more sustainable world. We are defined by our attitude, Impossible is Nothing. We are rebellious optimists driven by action to shape a better future together. We see a world with possibilities where others only see the impossible. In sport, having the right attitude is key to being successful. Our attitude defines us in our industry and is a mindset that goes back to the days of our founder, Adi Dassler. It shapes our stories, products, and action.

As the hub of the brand, the adidas Global Product Merchandising team drives how our products show up to serve the consumer and elevate our experience. We are brand led storytellers who build product offerings that connect with and inspire our consumer. We build assortments that are brand led, consumer right and appropriately segmented to win in the NAM marketplace.

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization: We are brand led storytellers who build product offerings that connect with and inspire our consumer

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, curate, land, and measure consumer right assortments for adidas basketball, globally with a specific focus on key NAM retailers.
• Collaborate with key BU stakeholders to ensure we are offering the right product, at the right time, to the right segmentation, in the right volume and at the right price.
• Manage the entire GTM process of key Basketball launches from Pre-Launch to Post-Launch, measuring and communicating key performance KPI's.
• Build curated assortment plans for relevant strategic channel/account to maximize adidas Basketball footprint in the US marketplace.
• Facilitate and package consumer, industry and market insights to ensure a relevant product range is created to meet NAM market needs
• Identify white space in the market and work closely with product partners to communicate market needs
• Package and present the GTM category, range plans and consumer insights to internal teams and key strategic retailers
• Filter and synthesize the analysis of the product range and sales results to maximize profitability, productivity and growth of future assortments

Key Relationships

• Global Markets
• BU Product Marketing
• Canada, DTC, and relevant commercial teams
• Brand Operations
• Finance and Demand planning
• Brand Communications
• Sports Marketing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency with MS Office Suit and working with systems/applications - proficiency with Excel desired.
• Strong analytical, presentation and communication skills, written and verbal
• Fundamental knowledge of GTM process and key product milestones & deliverables
• Strong merchandising business acumen in channel distribution, net sales, margin, profit and inventory.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong ability to work both independently and lead collaboration with multiple teams across the organization.
• A thorough understanding of customer markets and trends
• Solution oriented, with the ability the think outside the box
• Sport Category specific understanding preferred
• Ability for domestic and international travel up to 10% of time

Minimum Qualifications

• Four-year college or university degree, preferably in Business/Merchandising or related field preferred; and
• Minimum three (3-5) years industry related experience
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree.
• Previous merchandising experience in the sporting goods industry preferred
• US marketplace experience preferred