Merchandising Strategy
Partner with Sales Management to set a clear direction for the Apparel Merchandising team that aligns with regional strategies and financial targets
Create momentum across Wholesale, while constantly seeking new opportunities to drive growth and brand heat
Develop and execute an overall product strategy that maximizes profits, provides a consistent consumer experience and demonstrates highest quality of product offering possible
Conceive and create new thoughts and ideas pertaining to maximizing revenue and resources, presenting products and reaching the consumer
Own overall retail-focused seasonal Apparel line architecture, assortment plans and lifecycle plans, ensuring that the line plan is built to support key category growth initiatives and Key Account strategies
Manage Channel Merchandisers to ensure execution of seasonal assortment construction in a way that maximizes profitability for the brand and the customers, including relevant and feasible flow and pricing
Partner with Global Business Units/Product Line Management to ensure the creation of product that meets Channel needs/targeted line architecture and pricing requirements
Drive presentation of seasonal architecture to global product teams along with insights and commercial input that align to brand positioning and vision.
Ensure identification of opportunities to supplement the seasonal product assortment via the North American Regional Creation Center. Own the overall process of briefing margin appropriate products and/or special programs based on specific market needs that incorporate customer insights, consumer trends, competitive activities, market intelligence and the North American distribution strategy.
Oversee all information related to products including but not limited to price points, forecasts, introduction/launch dates and distribution plans
Responsible for pre-season sample management
Analysis and Insight
Review ongoing sell-through analysis for the overall category and key accounts to assess trends and needs while ensuring fast decision making
Deliver channel/marketplace insights to all relevant stakeholders (Wholesale, Retail, Global Business Units, Global Merchandising, Marketing and Finance) to ensure that product needs are met and proper go-to-market activities can be executed
Travel the market to gain insight on current trends, consumer behaviors and channel opportunities
Planning and Forecasting
Approve and own on/off-cycle product forecasting for the Apparel category
Own seasonal and annual Apparel Merchandising plans that align with overall financial and sales budgets
Ensure SKU efficiency and sample expenditures meet regional guidelines and parameters
Account Partnership
Serve as Apparel product expert of the region, internally and externally
Deliver impactful presentations that influence financial performance
Drive seasonal pre-line process for Apparel across all channels to collect customer insight, brief additional needs and adjust seasonal assortment plans as needed
Management
Manage and train direct reports to properly manage dedicated channel
Develop, empower and grow direct reports to own and become an expert on their business, take risks, have fact-based conversations and take on increasing levels of responsibility
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Service as primary point of contact for senior level global counterparts regarding Apparel product and strategy for Wholesale
Collaborate with Sales counterparts to identify needs as related to assortment plans and product flow to maximize wins for the PUMA brand and the customer
Communicate consistently with Footwear Merchandising counterparts on the Apparel direction and align on key brand concepts by ensuring cohesive collections and deliveries
Educate the Sales force on seasonal merchandising strategies and product
Work closely with Planning and Operations counterparts to share information regarding financial targets, functional milestones and account planning, forecasting and performance
Collaborate with Marketing to align on seasonal stories and go-to-market plans
Work cross-functionally to ensure that the go-to-market process runs smoothly. Duties include but are not limited to:
Participation and/or Merchandising leadership in account meetings and presentations
Drive account meeting product set up and break down
Seasonal sales meeting/launch participation, presentation and set up
Own the development of necessary sales and account meeting presentation materials
Trade show participation, presentation and set up
Quickly execute agreed upon post-meeting action items including product briefs and forecasting execution
YOUR TALENT:
Strong business orientation, analytical aptitude and retail math knowledge
Strong collaboration skills required to work cross-functionally with sales, finance, product marketing and design teams
Comprehensive business knowledge of the US marketplace and consumer goods practices including: distribution channels, pricing, segmentation strategy, regional variances, product sourcing, planning, forecasting, design, development and sales
Thrives in a fast-paced environment with short timelines and changing priorities
Flexible, solution-oriented, a skilled communicator and a relationship builder
Fully proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Experience with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Ability to travel 30-40%, domestically and internationally
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Retail Merchandising or a related field
10+ years of experience in Merchandising or Product Management in either Wholesale or Retail organization
Experience in a Retail buying or planning environment required
Proven success improving margins and growing market share in either Footwear or Apparel
Proven track record of successfully developing, managing line plan process and hitting associated KPI’s
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