Product Merchandiser Footwear "Performance Inspired" - THE NORTH FACE

The North Face is the premier exploration company in the world. We spark curiosity. We dare to disrupt. We create communities. And we lead with integrity. We are a community of explorers and are constantly looking for new ideas, places and people to connect with. 

The North Face is a subsidiary of VF, the world's largest apparel and footwear company.

For our EMEA Merchandising team, we are looking for a Product Merchandiser Footwear: a driven, creative, dynamic problem solver whose drive for success enables him/her to achieve brand, business goals and individual development goals.

Let's talk about the role!

The Product Merchandiser Footwear – Performance Inspired will need to be an experienced presenter who is numeric savvy with excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

This role's main responsibilities will be to lead the merchandising process for the Footwear Performance Inspired Category to create best-in-class assortments.

How you will make the difference

• Category performance including responsibility for sales and margin targets, product execution, and evaluation and implementation of new opportunities.

• Segmentation plans that deliver requisite differentiation among channels and tiers, with focus on Specialty, Strategic Key Accounts and DTC.

• Multi Year Franchise Management.

• Multi season Planning of Product Journeys from Seed to Scale for each franchise.

Merchandising led approach

• Brief and Partner with Global Team to develop the right products for the EMEA market that align with the EMEA Footwear strategy to make sure the financial goals are reached.

• Plan Product & color Lifecycle for the key Franchises. Plan appropriate Product Journeys for each Footwear Performance Inspired franchise for multiple seasons: from seed / ignite to scale / maximize.

• Own the Performance Inspired Category KPI’s, including revenue, SKU count, margins.

• Line planning with logical architecture. Product, price & color.

• Deliver channel segmentation and differentiation: DTC vs. Wholesale & Specialty vs. Strategic Key accounts, based on feedback.

Marketplace

• Identify opportunities based on the strategic choices, consumer profiles, and customer needs.

• Know the distribution, from Specialty Lifestyle, to Key Accounts.

• Know the competition (innovations, materials, features / benefits, pricing architecture, best sellers, franchise management).

• Trends. Know where the market is heading next (reference brands, products, materials, features / benefits, price) and how they fit into the Brand priorities.

• Gather and filter seasonal market feedback and input to for the current or future seasons. Build consumer right assortments from this.

Communication

• Partner with the Product Merchandiser Footwear – Performance in order to make sure we have a logical Footwear Line Architecture, Segmentation Strategy, and avoid SKU cannibalization.

• Drive cross-functional partnerships with forecasting, sales, retail and marketing during the Go-to-Market process.

• Participate and feedback during Global meetings, present at sales meetings and account meetings.

• Partner across functions to create a strong ‘1 Team’ culture of support, visibility and sharing.

Skills for Success:

• University degree or equivalent.

• At least 2-3 years’ experience in a Footwear Merchandising or buying role

• Lifestyle Footwear experience / background is required

• Experience at working with Strategic Accounts is preferred

• ‘Can do’ attitude

• Good communicator in English

• Team oriented

What's in it for you?

• Be part of an iconic sports and lifestyle brand with an incredible heritage

• Join a multi-brand and multi-market organization to drive your career forward

• International and challenging working culture

• On-site gym offering health and well-being initiatives

• 50% discount on all VF brands

• Subsidized canteen as well as breakout areas offering complimentary hot drinks

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity 

As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, VF is committed to support disadvantaged groups whilst providing equal opportunities for both VF associates and applicants alike.

If you like what you have read and want to join our team then we would like to hear from you!