Merchandise Planning Manager

at  Adidas

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization
This role is responsible for leading the merchandise buying process for the own retail channel ensuring the correct balance between brand statement and local needs. By being an expert, the role is also responsible for maximizing the profitability of Direct To Consumer (DTC) locally by building and driving commercial and consistent strategies across country.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the category strategy for Own Retail channel in Chile.
• Financial planning on a category and store level.
• Responsible for the merchandising KPI´s such as: Standard Margin, Weeks Cover, Net Sales @ FP, Sell Thru, Full Price Sell Thru, exclusives, Marketing Campaign Investment, Speed, Option Turn, Promise Attribute, Franchise Investment.
• Lead with the markets the correct execution of the Go to Market strategy in Chile for the category.
• Own the store categorization project to ensure the correct product segmentation.
• Provide fact-based product input and feedback for internal/external stakeholders (GTM, BU´s, CTC, Markets).
• Ensure collaboration with all DTC Functional areas, Supply Chain Management, Demand Planning, Category Management and Markets.
• Close collaboration with Visual Merchandising and Marketing to ensure proper execution of collections in Retail.
• Initiate the continuous improvement of all merchandising systems and tools.
• Collate regular analysis of competitor activity once a season and prepare a comprehensive report for sharing with internal/external stakeholders.
• Define the end of season strategy (markdown policy, carry forward, product phasing, end of season sale, new season availability tracking)
• Maximize in-season business by defining action plans (additional buys ISC, NOOS, PR, pull forward) and taking commercial decision across DTC Channels.
• Lead additional category related projects.
• Store and market visits as needed and advised by the business.

Key Relationships

• All Direct To Consumer functions/teams
• Go To Market (GTM) teams
• CTC Market & Global teams
• Supply Chain
• Finance
• Regional Business Units

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• University degree in business, ideally with marketing and sales focus or equivalent professional experience
• 5 years’ experience in a Buying function and roles as Demand Planning, Merchandise Planning, Sales Planning, Retail Allocation & Replenishment.
• Solid knowledge of Sales & Demand Planning role in global brands/companies - experience in multicategory business area is preferred.
• A passion for sports and an interest in the athletic industry and trends and/or athletic product lines is required.
• Advanced Excel skills, and a thorough understanding of macros, pivot tables, lookup formulas, formatting, etc.
• Strong analytical skills. Familiarity with Retail KPI’s & annual merchandise budget. Deep understanding of retail math associated with concise storytelling.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to build successful relationships within a team and cross-functionally.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and effectively use decision making skills, confidently handling ambiguous situations and/or issues that may arise.
• Ability to multi-task within a fast paced, changing environment, and the ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines.
• Fluent in both English and Spanish, being able to work in an English-speaking environment in a daily basis.

En adidas, valoramos la diversidad, apoyamos la inclusión de todas las personas y fomentamos la expresión individual. En el marco de la Ley de Inclusión n°21.015, incentivamos la inclusión de personas con discapacidad al mundo laboral.

• Lead the category strategy for Own Retail channel in Chile.
• Financial planning on a category and store level.
• Responsible for the merchandising KPI´s such as: Standard Margin, Weeks Cover, Net Sales @ FP, Sell Thru, Full Price Sell Thru, exclusives, Marketing Campaign Investment, Speed, Option Turn, Promise Attribute, Franchise Investment.
• Lead with the markets the correct execution of the Go to Market strategy in Chile for the category.
• Own the store categorization project to ensure the correct product segmentation.
• Provide fact-based product input and feedback for internal/external stakeholders (GTM, BU´s, CTC, Markets).
• Ensure collaboration with all DTC Functional areas, Supply Chain Management, Demand Planning, Category Management and Markets.
• Close collaboration with Visual Merchandising and Marketing to ensure proper execution of collections in Retail.
• Initiate the continuous improvement of all merchandising systems and tools.
• Collate regular analysis of competitor activity once a season and prepare a comprehensive report for sharing with internal/external stakeholders.
• Define the end of season strategy (markdown policy, carry forward, product phasing, end of season sale, new season availability tracking)
• Maximize in-season business by defining action plans (additional buys ISC, NOOS, PR, pull forward) and taking commercial decision across DTC Channels.
• Lead additional category related projects.
• Store and market visits as needed and advised by the business