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Director Franchise In Season Trading

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION

The Director, In-Season Trading / Merchandise is accountable for leading the end-to-end merchandise operating model across retail channels, ensuring optimal allocation, replenishment, and inventory governance to maximize sell-through, profitability, and inventory health.

This role defines and drives the merchandise execution strategy, translates commercial objectives into actionable operating frameworks, and builds scalable processes, systems, and team capabilities to support sustainable business growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Business Ownership & Performance Leadership

  • Own MW stores merchandise performance including sell-through, inventory productivity, weeks of cover, and gross margin optimization.
  • Drive allocation and replenishment governance to balance demand, supply, and store capacity.
  • Identify structural business opportunities and risks through data-driven insights and translate them into strategic action plans.
  • Ensure disciplined inventory lifecycle management including launch, replenishment, markdown, and liquidation.

2. Merchandise Strategy & Planning Governance

  • Define and lead the in-season merchandise operation strategy aligned with overall commercial and retail strategy.
  • Establish robust OTB governance, demand planning alignment, and replenishment frameworks.
  • Drive capacity planning integration between warehouse, supply chain, and retail network.
  • Lead seasonal hindsight reviews and embed learning into forward planning cycles.

3. Allocation & Replenishment Operating Model

  • Design and continuously optimize the automatic replenishment framework, parameter governance, and allocation logic.
  • Build scalable tools and dashboards to enhance visibility and decision-making efficiency.
  • Drive digital enablement and system enhancement initiatives in partnership with IT and SCM.
  • Standardize merchandise processes to ensure consistency and operational excellence.

4. Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Act as key business partner to Buying, Planning, Product sales, Retail Operations, SCM, Finance, and Marketing.
  • Influence stakeholders to align merchandise strategy with commercial priorities.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve forecasting accuracy, delivery efficiency, and stock utilization.
  • Provide senior leadership visibility through structured reporting and business insights.

5. Organization & Capability Building

  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing in-season trading team.
  • Define capability framework for allocation and planning functions.
  • Build succession pipeline and elevate analytical and strategic competencies within the team.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

6. Risk Management & Compliance

  • Proactively manage inventory risk, aged stock exposure, and capacity constraints.
  • Ensure data accuracy, compliance, and operational discipline.
  • Anticipate business volatility and establish contingency mechanisms.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

  • Buying (Inline Buy)
  • Business Planning
  • Retail Operations
  • SCM & Supply Chain
  • Finance
  • IT & Digital
  • VM & Marketing
  • Sales Operation
  • Product sales
  • Demand and planning

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Strong strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability.
  • Advanced data analytics and business modeling expertise.
  • Deep understanding of retail KPIs and inventory economics.
  • Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills.
  • Proven leadership and organizational development capability.
  • High ownership mindset and result orientation.

REQUISITE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • University degree required; MBA preferred.
  • Minimum 10+ years in merchandise planning / allocation / retail operations within recognized retail brands (fashion / sports / FMCG).
  • Minimum 3 years in leadership role managing managers.
  • Proven track record in driving merchandise productivity and inventory optimization.
  • Strong commercial acumen and financial understanding.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Advanced Excel modeling and analytical capability.
  • Strong PowerPoint and executive presentation skills.
  • Experience with replenishment systems and digital tools preferred.

LANGUAGE

English: Advanced

Local Language: Fluent

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE’S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

  • COURAGE: Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..
  • OWNERSHIP: Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.
  • INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.
  • TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.
  • INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company’s standards.
  • RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.


At adidas, we strongly believe that embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our culture and talent processes gives our employees a sense of belonging and our brand a real competitive advantage.

– Culture Starts With People, It Starts With You –

By recruiting talent and developing our people to reflect the rich diversity of our consumers and communities, we foster a culture of inclusion that engages our employees and authentically connects our brand with our consumers.

Job Title:  Director Franchise In Season Trading

Brand: 
Location:  Shanghai
TEAM:  Merchandising & Planning
State:  SH
Country/Region:  CN
Contract Type:  Full time
Number:  541616
Date:  Mar 2, 2026
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