Merchandising Manager Footwear

Responsible for managing all aspects of Merchandising for the Performance Running Category and Running Specialty and General Sporting Goods Channels. In this role, the Merchandiser Manager serves as the expert on Performance Running Footwear within the marketplace, including its consumers, business performance and product needs. The candidate serves as critical partner to Sales, Marketing, Planning and PUMA's key accounts in developing growth-driving merchandising strategies to increase sales and profitability for the brand and its customers.

• Work in partnership with the Senior Merchandising Director to develop and execute a marketplace product strategy that drives growth, provides consistent consumer experience, meets financial goals and delivers the highest quality of product offerings possible

• Manage the seasonal Wholesale ranging process for the Performance Running Range

• Partner with Global Business Unit counterparts and Regional Puma North America counterparts to ensure the creation of products that meet marketplace needs, targeted line architecture and pricing requirements

• Execute seasonal ranging exercises

• Create and maintain Visual Line Plans for each season

• Support the creation of and maintenance of Product Line Plans for the wholesale Performance Running Range

• Perform ongoing sell-through analysis for the Run Specialty and Sporting Goods channels and key accounts to assess trends and identify expansion/growth opportunities

• Travel the market to gain insight into current trends, consumer behaviors and channel opportunities

• Perform on/off-cycle product forecasting for the Performance Running category

• Manage the Sales Sample ordering process at all key milestones

• Collaborate with Sales counterparts to identify account-specific needs as related to assortment plans and product flow to maximize wins for the PUMA brand and the customer

• Educate the Salesforce on seasonal merchandising strategies and new product launches

• Collaborate with Marketing to align 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

  • Seasonal sales meeting/launch participation, presentation and set up

  • Development of necessary sales and account meeting presentation materials

  • Trade show participation, presentation and set up

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, Business, Retail Merchandising, or a related field preferred

• 2 - 4 years of experience in Buying, Merchandising or Product Management role in either a Wholesale or Retail organization

• Specific knowledge of or experience in the Running Specialty market preferred

• Successful track record and reputation of exceeding performance expectations, with progressive levels of responsibility and accountability

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally in a matrixed organization

• 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

• Ability to travel 20-30%, domestically and internationally.