Merchandise Manager Performance Footwear & Apparel South Africa at ASICS Group

Job description

Job purpose

Collate and manage a competitive, state of the art performance apparel and footwear collection for ASICS South Africa in order to reach the financial goals and ensure maximum sell through of the ASICS product range. Influence future product architecture through driving a rigorous regional bottom up/top down line planning process to achieve optimum product lines, based on input from local entities within EM.

Responsibilities

• Together with sales management drive seasonal key product initiatives in the country
• Launch performance apparel and footwear seasonal initiatives and country market specific initiatives.
• Provide consumer, competitive and distribution qualitative and quantitative feedback as input to future Brand Strategies.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing teams to coordinate activities against agreed and aligned financial targets or other strategic goals set by the country.
• Manage and deliver accurate forecasts within deadlines and targets. Monitor and manage in-season product performances
• Lead and drive the process and overall sign off for delivering the optimum country assortment to market to drive sell through and reach financial targets.
• Lead local apparel production together with AEB counterparts.
• Initial seasonal forecast (during product review meetings).
• Represent market needs during regional product input/feedback meetings
• In line with European product directives, collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and optimize the country product assortment.
• Give quantified feedback on the seasonal line plan (through initial forecast).
• Identify gaps/redundancies in the line plan.
• Be the product ambassador in the country
• Understand and be ready to present the key product initiatives, features and benefits and minimum assortments to various audiences (consumers, retailers, sales reps, media)
• Work closely together with EM merchandising team to gather insights (athletes, consumers, retailers, market trends, competitors) through consumer focus groups, market checks, etc.
• Work closely with the EM merchandising team and AEB Product Development team and nominated suppliers in Emerging Markets to ensure the ASICS quality is adhered to
• Support during the design handover to ensure a clear understanding of expectations related to the technical specifications.
• Being informed on the pre-costing status versus margin achievements.
• Contribute to fit sessions (where applicable).
• Update the EM merchandising team on any specific regulation required for EM (fabrics, trims, new developments, labelling, translation into local languages), relevant to Emerging Markets.

Job requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor degree in business administration with strong sporting good product affinity.
• A minimum of 5 years of working experience in the sport/fashion industry. Merchandising, sales, product or purchasing in either wholesale or retail organization.
• Knowledge of sports and sports products.
• Knowledge in both footwear and apparel.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Affinity with sports and sports fashion.
• Knowledge of production and materials.
• Knowledge of biomechanics and physiology.
• Strong overall experience and understanding of pricing, planning, forecasting, design, development and sales.
• Personal Competencies
• Strong customer orientation
• Analytical skills
• Ability to conceive and create new thoughts and ideas re presentation of products and processes
• Ability to focus on key issues, like profitability, consumer trends, etc.
• Good coordination and coaching skills
• Strong team player

What ASICS offers you

• Competitive salary and an attractive social benefits package
• Participation in our EMEA bonus scheme
• 50% discount on ASICS and Onitsuka Tiger products up to the legal tax limits
• Working for a growing sportive international company in a fast paced environment
• The possibility to give your personal input and develop yourself within our company