Senior Director Merchandising Footwear

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YOUR MISSION:

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Merchandising Footwear is responsible for setting clear direction and managing the successful execution of merchandising strategies for the Lifestyle product line by combining consumer insights and business acumen to reach productivity and financial goals, while aligning to brand direction and objectives. In this role, the Merchandising Senior Director serves as the retail-focused expert on Footwear within all Wholesale channels, including their consumers, business performance and product needs. This role serves as an integral partner to the global product development organization, a key partner to internal regional departments and a critical partner externally with key accounts to ensure the brand is coming to life appropriately at point of sale. This individual will demonstrate a thorough understanding of marketplace trends and dynamics, our key customers, the competitive landscape and will be able to effectively work cross-functionally. The Senior Director of Merchandising is responsible for sourcing, developing, and managing emerging talent.

YOUR MISSION (Responsibilities)

• Set Merchandising Strategy: Partner with Sales Management to define and execute the Footwear Merchandising strategy aligned with regional and financial targets.
• Drive Product Development: Collaborate with Global Business Units to ensure product creation meets channel needs, maintaining consistent consumer experience and high-quality standards.
• Manage Product Range: Oversee seasonal Footwear line architecture, assortment plans, and lifecycle management to support growth initiatives and key account strategies.
• Analyze Market Trends: Conduct sell-through analysis and market visits to gather consumer insights and identify new opportunities.
• Forecasting and Planning: Own seasonal and annual merchandising plans, ensuring alignment with financial and sales budgets.
• Account Partnership: Serve as the regional Footwear product expert, delivering impactful presentations and driving pre-line processes to align customer needs with product offerings.
• Talent Management: Lead and develop the Merchandising team, empowering them to manage channels and take on increasing responsibilities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with Sales, Planning, Operations, and Marketing to ensure cohesive product strategies and go-to-market plans.
• Execute Go-to-Market Processes: Lead account meetings, product presentations, and trade show participation, ensuring post-meeting action items are executed promptly.
• Manage Product Information: Oversee pricing, forecasting, launch dates, and distribution plans, ensuring efficient sample management.
  
  

YOUR TALENT:

YOUR TALENT (Qualifications)

• 15+ years in Merchandising or Product Management within Wholesale or Retail, with 10+ years in management roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Business, Retail Merchandising, or a related field.
• Comprehensive understanding of the US marketplace, including distribution channels, pricing, product sourcing, planning, and sales.
• Strong business orientation and analytical aptitude, with proficiency in retail math and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with sales, finance, product, marketing, and design teams.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with short timelines and changing priorities; flexible and solution-oriented.
• Excellent presentation and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Travel Flexibility: Ability to travel 30-40% domestically and internationally.
  
  

PUMA supports over 19,000 employees across 120+ countries. The PUMA Group owns the brand PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

PUMA is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of PUMA to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, physical or mental disability, veteran-status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.