Senior Footwear Merchandiser, Lifestyle

Your Job:  The Senior Footwear Merchandiser Lifestyle is a key product person focused on Brooks lifestyle footwear success which translates to revenue and margin. You will play a key role in developing stories by partnering with Global and Regional Marketing to build Brooks brand recognition in this space. You lead and drive alignment on key Lifestyle Footwear Merchandising processes to ensure the footwear line is merchandised for the best product line outcome delivering the right product at the right time at the right place and at the right price. You are a leader within the organization in this space acting as a role model and mentor both within in the footwear team and cross-functionally. You are the expert “eyes and ears” of the competition as it pertains to the market and the customer using both qualitative and quantitative data to inform merchandising decisions.  This position requires 25% travel. 

Your Responsibilities:

• See beyond the footwear team, understand the impact across functions within the company and connect the dots to create alignment and ensure efficiencies.
• Responsible for global 5-year model, article, and SKU counts and updates at key milestones
• Lead and create lifestyle assortments globally.
• Lead the implementation of the Global Lifestyle strategy, integration and briefing process ensuring lifestyle product support brand and business objectives while addressing regional specific nuances.
• Leverage qualitative and quantitative inputs during the creative process to train market readiness intuition and close the loop on effectiveness of decision making.
• Lead and manage key Footwear Merchandising processes including:
• The collaboration process with the color team to create global seasonal assortments.
• Oversight of the Merch FTW processes and calendars (I2R) to hit milestones.
• Partnership with the Brand team on the development of key collaboration products with external partners.
• Flex PLM Super User:   Train, coach, and act as a resource for merchandising teammates.
• Work cross functionally within footwear team to drive results and resolve conflict.
• Partner closely with the Lifestyle Product Line Managers to communicate product storytelling across Footwear and Marketing.
• Present Lifestyle seasonal assortments, stories, and gather key feedback from regions.
• Present global seasonal assortments, stories to key internal (sales and marketing) stakeholders to get buy in and alignment.
• Act as a mentor and share experiences and knowledge with other lifestyle stakeholders.
• Acts as role model and brings breadth of experience to frequent interactions with inline triads and SMEs.
• May manage up to 1 direct report (including goal setting, performance review, hiring decisions, team culture, etc.) and support their career development to ensure job satisfaction and retention.
• Work closely with other functional managers and subject matter experts to align on seasonal product decisions.
• Collaborate with other functional managers and subject matter experts to act as a resource for the project teams.
• Leadership on the implementation of a collaboration strategy involving multiple stakeholders and a key role in the development of a new product line.
• Frequent in market travel as well as support at key industry events/moments.
• Global Mindset/responsibility. This role will lead this function globally so an understanding of those markets and the ability to connect and learn with the key stakeholders in the region.
• Live Brooks values!

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or a related field required.
• Minimum 7 years’ prior experience in working with footwear product (wholesale or retail) and at least 2 years of working for a running footwear brand in related field (sales, tech rep etc.)
• 1+ years prior management experience a plus
• Creative thinker with the ability to effectively communicate and convey ideas to design, development, color and trend.
• Strong working knowledge of the footwear product merchandising process, retail environment and consumer buying habits.
• Strong Business orientation and analytical skills in managing SKU efficiency, product mix, and profitability.
• Demonstrated ability to conceive/create new thinking and ideas pertaining to the consumer and the product line.
• Strong ability to work professionally and efficiently within the team and across departments and connect different functions.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills – skilled presenter, great communication ability
• Proven ability to influence, persuade and negotiate to achieve progress toward goals.
• Results-oriented person with the ability to balance numerous tasks and utilize all avail