Snr Manager Category Management SPSP & Outdoor EM at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

• Execute short-term and medium-term objectives for Business Unit Outdoor & SPSP across EM in Hyper local relevant manner.
• Implement Global Concepts-to-Consumer strategies in a locally relevant way, working closely with cluster teams, considering different consumer needs and channel playfield.
• Frame compelling range architecture which addresses different categories of responsibility to gain market share.
• Responsible for building a product range for the dedicated Category that fulfils the needs of the EM Hub and Clusters, which is competitive in terms of completeness, structure, price and margin.
• Support the seasonal BU range building and alignment process within the GTM milestones (EM Common range/power pack, Range handover, internal GTM Meetings, etc.)
• Collaborate regularly with global counterparts to identify business opportunities in the market and to maximize net sales and profitability (within global and EM strategic parameters). Be the EM “go-to” person for Global teams in categories of responsibility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for range selection, which addresses different cluster requirement and meet set KPI for the role. Net Sales and Margin responsibility across EM.
• Responsible for delivering complete 3 year category plan for respective BU, based on overall EM SBP and balanced with the needs of the horizontal Brand.
• Accountable for EM range selection and all Marketing related inputs e.g. pricing, FOB.
• Responsible for all aspects of merchandising the range including segmentation to meet all KPIs inc. efficiency, productivity, overlap, top line, pricing.
• Responsible for executing incremental business opportunities by capturing cluster inputs, trends, needs, SMU and other hyperlocal ABO creations.
• Support and steer the Brand Comms & Activation team in relation to globally consistent Category activation including locally relevant initiatives.
• Align with EM BA and EM Consumer Experience team to ensure horizontal relevance of concepts across the EM seasonal calendar
• Establish cleared shared goals within EM organization including Omni-channel category BU forecast as part of EM IBP process.
• Build productive relationships with CTC in Clusters aligning on BU strategy, ranging, activation calendar and local initiatives with the EM Strategy.

KPI’s

• Brand Health KPIs
• Running Category P&L
• EM Category Range Efficiency, SKU targets, Pricing targets
• EM Net Sales, Category growth, Key Franchise growth/share of NS and Go-in Margin
• Drive global and local race and run moments in hyper local relevant manner with EM BOS Comms and SPOMA team

Key Relationships:

• Category team in each Cluster
• EM Hub CTC, CTC AP and MOPS team
• Global BU Outdoor & SPSP team
• Finance & Demand Planning teams
• EM DTC, WHS and E-com hub teams

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advance excel and powerpoint knowledge. Strong communication skills. Experience in design and development and FTW and Apparel creation

In addition the individual must demonstrate:

• Passionate for sports, preferably product range specific with knowledge of Running
• Consumer-focused with deep product and range understanding with an excellent ability to balance brand and commercial aspects and build channel specific GTM solutions
• Advanced cross functional marketing knowledge and market experience and strong understanding of Retail, eCom and WHS channels in sporting goods, fashion or other youth culture brands
• Exposure to merchandising approach including assortment planning, FPST, Open to Buy, launch and exit calendars, rate of sales, and VM planning & execution.
• Ability to guide optimal range building as per segmentation strategy and option plan (product type, gender, price points) for different channels
• Pro-active (engaging & impact-oriented) mind-set, ability to think end-to-end
• Ability to work in agile environment with different culture and nationalities
• Strong organizational skills
• Commercial acumen: Strong numerical and analytical skills
• Good communication (both written and verbal), presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to travel, domestic or international in short notice, as required

 Qualifications (Minimum required education and experience):

• University degree in business or fashion/sports, ideally with Marketing and sales focus or equivalent professional experience; MBA is a plus.
• 8+ years Brand Management and Merchandising experience, ideally in sporting goods, fashion or other youth culture brands.
• 2 year+ experience of working with diverse & remote teams
• Fluent English (verbal and written)
• Strong MS-Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), proficient in MS Office, Power BI