Principal Footwear Merchandiser, Americas

The Mission of the Global Footwear Merchandising team is to optimize the product mix and go to market strategy with the focus on delivering the right product at the right time across the globe. They have the responsibility of curating a global product assortment based on runner data, seasonal trends, use of color application, and MRAs (Merchandising Runner Assortments) that broaden consumer reach and maximize article efficiency and regional alignment to meet the expectations of the business.

The Principal Footwear Merchandiser, Americas, plays a critical role in leading the North America Merchandising team to react to in-season performance while realizing the 1–3-year impact of strategic growth. As an expert in merchandising and with a deep understanding of footwear business and the market landscape, you will advise and support the Director of Footwear Merchandising, Americas, in planning and development of seasonal strategy, color assortments, and provide thought leadership with Footwear Merchandising peers.

You will build operational efficiencies, consistencies, and process improvements for Category and Strategic Initiatives. This position is a vital contributor to the footwear vision, strategy, seasonal assortments, and planning out 3 to 5 years to meet the needs and wants of the marketplace, in line with Brand strategy and Business goals, in concert with PLM, the Brand, and Sales/Key Markets globally.

The Principal Footwear Merchandiser, Americas, is a key product person responsible for developing strategic business plans and driving key company financial metrics, including revenue and margin. You are the expert “eyes and ears” of the competition as it pertains to the market, the runner, and the customer, using both qualitative and quantitative data to inform merchandising decisions.

This position requires 20% travel.

• Play an integral role in developing the regional five-year model, including article and SKU counts, and ensuring timely updates at key milestones.
• Provide strategic insights and expertise to guide business‑critical assortment decisions across regions.
• Identify and contribute to the formulation of strategies for new regional business opportunities—determining target markets, optimal products, and approaches to achieve success.

• Play a critical role in defining the overarching goals for the Americas Merchandising team by enhancing and optimizing processes that integrate both qualitative and quantitative inputs, fostering market readiness, and improving the effectiveness of decision‑making.
• Present products and narratives while gathering essential feedback for product triads during prelines.
• Communicate product, brand stories, and assortments to key internal stakeholders (sales and marketing) to secure buy‑in and alignment for both Inline and MRA items.
• Engage with the Director of Footwear Merchandising, Americas, and participate in Regional Footwear Strategic Planning to ensure alignment with Footwear Management on bi‑annual strategic plans. Influence the regional preline strategy by continuously innovating and evolving in response to brand and business needs.
• Operate as a critical partner to Footwear Merchandising management to ensure deliverables are completed efficiently at key milestones.

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams within the footwear department to facilitate consensus‑building, drive results, and effectively resolve conflicts.
• Act as a valuable resource to project teams through collaboration with functional managers and subject‑matter experts.
• Influence brand initiatives across functions to support Footwear Merchandising leadership in gaining support for priority projects.
• Mana…