Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

The Manager: Buying is responsible for developing and executing consumer-centric product assortments that drive sales growth, profitability, and brand relevance across adidas Concept Stores. Through the effective use of sales performance data, consumer insights, trend analysis, and market intelligence.

This position plays a critical role in shaping the commercial success of the Concept Store channel by delivering compelling assortments, optimizing inventory productivity, driving sell-through, and leading the execution of key brand campaigns and seasonal moments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive a compelling range selection for the cluster by balancing consumer, brand and commercial considerations and supporting the overall business strategy of the channels.
• Deliver net sales and profitability (GIM) by managing pricing, margin, FOBs and category mix. 
• Ownership of product demand forecasting, which most accurately reflects the consumer demand in the market.
• Proactively drive cluster range enhancements that reflect differentiation in marketplace where required.
• Advocate for DTC needs in GTM process to ensure the strategy and product assortment is relevant for the concept store consumer.
• Responsible for effective storytelling and monthly phasing of product.
• Ensure visual appeal working alongside VM executing brand campaigns and key moments.   
• Manage buying process to ensure option count and right volumes are bought following market OTB and category plans.  
• Lead and manage planning and execution of key campaigns and seasonal promotions.
• Reviewing sales and stock to ensure all in-season activity is focused upon delivering planned sales, margin and stock objectives. Manage NOOS and key product lines availability alongside Planning Team.
• Contribute to the improvement in allocation and replenishment techniques.
• Preparation of mark-downs as required within given framework and in line with market and global strategy.
• Regular analysis of overall market and competitor activity and pricing strategy.
• Weekly monitoring of KPIs and distribution of key merchandise reports that help evaluate business goals and drives decision making.
• Manage the city tee program end to end.
• Manage additional items related to category that drives UPT.
• Review and action fact-based category input and feedback for stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with marketing, category team and store operations and above market functions.

Key Relationships:

• Cluster CTC
• EM Merchandising
• Cluster Marketing
• Supply chain
• Retail team
  • Retail back office
  • Operations
  • Store managers

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Relevant job experience in a buying function
• Strong competence with buying procedures and systems
• Strong analytical ability and Influencing skills
• Structured, organized and process orientated
• Attention to detail as this has curtail impact on the business
• Ability to work within a team and high-pressure environment

• Broad and deep theoretical understanding of buying principles
• Advanced Excel

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications: 

• Minimum of 7 years' experience in Merchandising, Buying, Category Management, or a related retail commercial function.
• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• Experience within fashion, sportswear, apparel, footwear, or retail environments preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering sales growth, profitability, and inventory productivity.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a matrix environment.

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