PURPOSE

This role is responsible for ensuring the strong product assortment/ access for the Global Retail channel by supporting the implementation of the adidas Retail strategy consistently across all relevant Markets, consulting the Market Retail organizations, and managing key projects and initiatives at HQ level. Furthermore, you will support the Market Retail organizations in optimizing each pre-seasonal plan, ranging strong products in sync with lifecycles and supplies to meet evolving demand signals. Jointly with key stakeholders from the Global team and Market teams align on tactical trading signals that inform the next season.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Key account interaction model
  • Drive and define overall seasonal product merchandising strategy of retail channel in global level
  • Work with BUs to ensure strong product assortment/ access for all levels of CS and enhance and influence the global merchandising strategy for Factory Outlets’ planned production and ensure its implementation by working with the markets
  • Drive end to end process and operational model to ensure managed supply is optimized, utilizing the enabled tools available and best practices, for preseason defined accuracy along with in-season agility
  • Collaborate with eCom to ensure aligned approach as one DtC in terms of product ranges, product access and launch plan
  • Identify key product opportunities for retail channel as ongoing process
  • Elevate and share key trading insights across the Global channels/ stakeholders as appropriate
• Product merchandising holistic package
  • Act as the central interface for markets and global business units to drive consistent and strong product presence in retail stores across all markets
  • Work closely with cross functional teams to influence developing complete story telling of retail products in the retail stores
• Trading culture
  • Maintain the leading position to guide and lead markets to maximize opportunities regarding the retail commercial/ brand driving ranges with key stakeholders in Global Sales, CtC, eCom, Finance
• General role as a global position
  • Project-manage development of other assigned projects in the retail context
  • Facilitate a culture of sharing and adopting best practices regarding the commercial product buy within the Global teams and all interfacing teams as well as with the Markets
  • Gather best practices regarding the commercial success related to product merchandising across the Markets and externally and turn it into industry leading tools working closely with the Markets and the Global cross functional teams
  • Develop and implement framework for creation of goal and process of prioritization for product ranges and buying
• Leadership
  • Embed culture of win as a team and growth mindset within direct team members and with x-functional stakeholders
  • Coaching, mentoring and engaging of the team members in Global Sales and Market teams

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Global - Global BUs, Global Sales, CtC, eCom, Finance, Global IT, Wholesales
• Satellites - VP DTC/ Sales/ Retail
• Markets - Retail Director, Sales Director, Market CtC, Market BUs, eCommerce Managers, Global Retail & eCommerce Merchandising, other Retail/eCommerce functions

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Fluent in English, additional language is an advantage
• Broad and deep functional skills in Retail/ Merchandising/ Buying in Own Retail and/ or eCommerce environments
• Strong interpersonal skills (communication, influencing, stakeholder management)
• Strong analytical skills and critical thinking, ability to connect strategy and execution
• High degree of commercial awareness, business acumen and practical judgement
• Proven methodological skills (e.g. Merchandising planning, business planning)
• Knowledge of an Enterprise Reporting System (e.g. MicroStrategy) and/ or ERP system is an advantage. Knowledge of Merchandising systems and processes is an advantage
• Proven track record of high collaboration skills, strong moderation and presentation skills, project management skills
• Flexible and open mindset
• Initiative and determination

QUALIFICATIONS

• University or College Degree
• Understanding of Merchandising in a DTC (Own Retail/ eCommerce) business is highly preferred, experience in Retail, Finance, Logistics or Marketing is an asset
• 10+ years of relevant functional experience, ideally with a minimum of 8 years of direct Retail or eCom Merchandising experience, ideally topped by an additional minimum of 2 years on the Marketing or Sales side
• Industry experience in Sports/Fashion/FMCG