Manager Category Management SPSP EM at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

• As Manager Category Management Business Unit Specialist Sports [SP/SP], you will drive the category business Net Sales in Emerging Markets for your categories of responsibility.
• You will be the EM expert for category, understanding consumer trends, distribution opportunities and competitor strategies. Together with the Senior Manager & the BU Lead you will execute seasonal, fiscal and long-term strategic plans to grow profitable market-share for the category.
• To succeed you will collaborate with EM cluster/country organizations and Channel teams to identify and address business opportunities in the market and deliver against those by collaborating with the Global Business Unit throughout the seasonal Go-to-Market process.
• You will be the point of contact for BU SP/SP in EM for pre-season planning, in-season tracking, monitoring, and actioning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute defined BU KPIs with the objective to grow the business across EM Countries & Channels.
• Execute the seasonal Go-To-Market (GTM) process and calendar milestones for the category in Emerging Markets.
• Deliver an effective Emerging Markets Range that allows Clusters to maximize their opportunities.
• Build a Category “Common Range/ Power Pack” as the foundation of EM Range ensuring consistent Brand Footprint without compromising on any commercial opportunities.
• Ensure all system requirements for ranging in RMA and M-3 is met: GTM milestones and timelines.
• Drive decision making through data analytics & category tracking paired with consumer trends and market opportunities.
• Be the interface between Global Business Unit (BU) and market stakeholders. 
• Work closely with Brand Activation, Omnichannel & Membership teams to deliver Category activations & Credibility moments with impact.
• Perform category analysis including Buy-Sales review, market/consumer/competitor insights and leverage for planning.

KPIs:

• EM Category Net Sales, Key Franchise growth/share of NS.
• Range Planning : FTW & Apparel
• Own Running Apparel business along with defined KPIs
• Deliver Special Projects: Cluster relevant SP/SP opportunities. For example: Netball / Badminton / Aussie Rules & Rugby League.
• Execute seasonal GTM calendar and deliver as per timelines.

Key Relationships:

• EM Horizontal Brand Teams (Hub Brand Communications & Activation, Marketing Operations, Sports Marketing)
• EM Cluster Category Management/CTC teams
• EM Hub Channel teams
• EM Demand Planning & SCM
• Global SP/SP Business Unit

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Passion for Sports, Fitness & Fashion
• Strong analytical skills structured and process oriented.
• Experience in Category Management, Merchandising experience is a plus.
• Consumer-focused with deep product and range understanding with an excellent ability to balance brand and commercial aspects and build channel specific GTM solutions
• Experience in footwear and apparel design and development is a plus
• Pro-active (engaging & impact-oriented) mind-set, ability to think end-to-end.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with different international cultures.
• Strong communication (both written and verbal), presentation and facilitation skills
  (small and large groups)
• Ability to communicate with Senior Leadership in Global & Local teams.
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years Product Management and Merchandising experience, ideally in sporting goods, fashion, or other youth culture brands.
• University degree in business or fashion/sports, ideally with Marketing and sales focus or equivalent professional experience; MBA is a plus.
• Strong MS-Office skills - advanced user of Excel, PowerPoint and Power BI.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written) with strong communication & presentation skills.