This role is responsible for ensuring the strong product assortment/access for the Global Retail channel by supporting the implementation of the adidas Group Retail strategy consistently across all relevant Markets, consulting the Market Retail organisations, and managing key projects and initiatives at HQ level. Furthermore, you will support the Market Retail organizations in ranging strong products jointly with key stakeholders from the Global team and Market teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support defining and driving overall product merchandising strategy of retail channel in global level.
• Work with BUs to ensure strong product assortment/access for both CS to drive end to end key account interaction model to come alive globally
• Collaborate with eCom to ensure aligned approach as one DtC in terms of product ranges, access and launch plan
• Act as the central interface for markets and global BUs to drive consistent and strong product presence in retail stores across all markets.
• Work closely with cross functional teams to influence and develop complete story telling in the retail stores aligning with product ranges
• Build an active network and acts as point of contact for the Global Sales Team for commercial product buy related topics and projects.
• Project-manage development of other assigned projects in the Retail context.
• Collate regular feedback from markets on commercial opportunity and brand presence in terms of product related area including competitor activity and prepare comprehensive report for Product merchandising team internally.
• Contribute to the design of and implement a set of key merchandising reports that help evaluate the business goals with global x-functional teams.
• Facilitate a culture of sharing and adopting best practices regarding the commercial product buy within the Global Sales Team and all interfacing teams as well as with the Markets.
• Gather best practices regarding the commercial success of the product merchandising across the Markets and externally and turn it into industry leading tools working closely with the Markets and the Global Sales Teams.
• Contribute to the creation of the process for the development and implementation of prioritization for product ranges and buying.
• Other duties as requested by your manager.

Authorities:

• N.A.

Key Relationships:

• Global: Global Retail teams, Global BUs, Global Sales, CtC, eCom, Finance, Global IT, Wholesales
• Markets: Retail Director, Sales Director, Market CtC, Market BUs, eCommerce Managers, Own Retail & eCommerce Merchandising, other Retail/eCommerce functions

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Fluent in English, additional language is an advantage.
• 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
• 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.
• Good interpersonal skills (e.g. communication, negotiation).
• Proven track record of high collaboration skills, strong moderation and presentation skills, project management skills.
• Flexible and open mindset.
• Initiative and determination.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum 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.
• 6+ years of relevant functional experience, ideally with 3+ 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.