Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

This role is responsible for supporting the cluster merchandising teams across Emerging Markets with an array of projects & tasks related to range building and seasonal product strategy. This individual will work on cross-functional projects at both hub and cluster level and will have high interaction with other functions such as Store Development & Visual Merchandising.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Create bi-weekly product insight reports and present during Merch call
• Support in building suggested assortments for both inline seasonal ranges as well as project-based category focuses
• Guide clusters on seasonal product strategies
• Support in cluster buy review process
• Review brand ranges & EMCR to provide constructive assortment feedback from a merchandising perspective
• Create range boards using M3 ranging tool
• Pull basic reports using Power BI, and provide interpretation of data
• Completion of seasonal comp shop
• Maintain awareness of global trends and showcase effective ways how we can keep abreast of consumer movements in store
• Keep abreast of key global market product performance (Korea / Tokyo)
• Source and share best practice across EM as well as global markets 
• Manage store visit roster and coordinate on findings & action points
• Support in store openings & renovation projects: creation of microplans (plug & plays) and category zonings
• Upskill teams on the basics of ranging
• Present seasonal category focuses during seasonal handovers
• Work across channel with both Franchise & Value team on key projects to drive strategic product initiatives

Key Relationships:

• Merchandising (both hub & cluster) 
• EM Visual Merchandising – Planning & Execution
• EM Store Development
• EM BU Category teams
• EM Assortment Planning

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Fluent in English
• Strong communication skills
• Effective stakeholder management
• High level of attention to detail
• Good Buying & Merchandising knowledge 
• Excellent understanding of range & assortment building: a proven record of building compelling assortments balancing out brand & commercial ambitions
• Basic Power BI and relevant system knowledge
• Basic knowledge of data analysis and interpretation
• Strong presenting skills
• Excitement around product and knowledge of the sports industry
• High level of confidence
• Ability to be motivated by working in a complex matrix
• Capacity to influence multiple teams across geographies to generate results

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University or College Degree
• 2-3 years of relevant functional experience, ideally with Retail buying and exposure to Visual Merchandising
• Project management experience is an advantage