Lead Marketplace Merchant NA - Converse

Become part of the Converse TeamConverse is a place to explore potential, break barriers and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Converse, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving world to make things better as a team.Be a Product of Rad SocietyWe’ve got the goods. We just need the people who believe in the goods. That’s you. You see the product in the space. And you get how to make it leave the space. In someone’s bag, on someone’s feet. You’re a trendwatcher. A callmaker. Maybe even a visionary. You throw Product and Retail into a blender and make it come out as smooth delicious Success.

LEAD MARKETPLACE MERCHANT -

NORTH AMERICA WHOLESALE

- CONVERSEWHO WE ARE LOOKING FORThe Lead Merchant position will lead the development of seasonal footwear assortments and multi-season product and marketplace strategies, built on consumer and business insights, business growth drivers, and the global product pipeline. Through sharp segmentation initiatives, franchise lifecycle management and choice count line planning, the lead merchant will build a product offering to serve our consumer where they shop, elevating the consumer experience while delivering incremental growth for the brand. As a collaborative teammate, you will be responsible for leading channel specific go-to-market milestones and partnering with business leaders and channel planning and marketing to build product level objectives.This candidate should have a strong understanding of the footwear industry and the competitive landscape. They must also possess:Deep understanding of our consumer and market landscape, to develop a thoughtful and informed perspective of product and marketplace opportunitiesStrong product sense with proven experience in driving product assortmentsStrong problem solving, communication, interpersonal and organizational skillsResults oriented: ability to analyze trends, sales data, inventory and sell through to inform real time and future product assortment strategies and actionsStrategic thinking with the ability to innovate change through visionary thinking and strategic managementWHAT YOU WILL WORK ONIn collaboration with the broader Geo Merchandising team and Wholesale Cross-Functional partners, you will support the creation of the in-season and long-term product strategy for Converse’s North America Wholesale Marketplace.You will be responsible for:Obsessing the needs of the consumer, advised by deep consumer and data insights, including your own observations out in the marketplace and time spent supporting the commercial team at key account meetings.Building and implementing the product and assortment strategy for the Wholesale Marketplace that supports the category’s seasonal strategies and delivers growthTaking a pro-active approach to curating sell in tools and product storytelling to support key seasonal product initiativesWork closely with the Geo Brand Merchandising team in sighting and hind sighting marketplace opportunities to inform future product and business needsPartner with planning on product and marketplace level forecasting that aligns to product strategies, go-to-market plans and financial targetsBeing a strategic manager of seasonal close-to-market allocation and briefs, working closely with the Brand Merchandising and global CTM teams, as well as global strategic partner accounts.Using active listening skills, you will balance the need to seek information with the need to be understood and the ability to communicate effectively in multifaceted settingsBuilding and sustaining positive relationships with key cross functional teamsWHO YOU WILL WORK WITHYour key partners include:Geo and Global MerchandisingCommercialMarketplace PlanningWholesale Brand MarketingMerchandising OperationsSales OperationsWHAT YOU BRINGBachelor’s degree or higher or equivalent combination of education and experience and training5+ years of relevant experience in Footwear/apparel Merchandising or Buying rolesVibe IQ and Flex system capabilities preferredAbility to travel up to 15-20% of the time on market travel and/or account facing meetingsUnderstanding of retail key performance indicators and profit based metricsStrong strategy building skills that shape the future of the businessEffective communicator that collaborates and brings people togetherProvides direction and mentorship to teammatesValues differences and builds strong relationships with high cultural awarenessProven balance of art and science in decision-makingSelf-directed, independent, and dedicatedCultivates innovation while also ensuring accountabilityCommunicates vision and purpose and able to lead effectively in complex situationsSolves problems using limited information and implements solutions with the ability to foresee most future implicationsAdvises others on complex matters requiring in-depth knowledge or conceptual thinkingResponds with speed and agility, curiosity, and motivation

#J-18808-Ljbffr