Senior Manager Category Management BU Originals, BB APP & ACC, Brand adidas

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization :

• Builda local category strategy and leading the team to execute product merchandizing plan, Go To Market plan to drive brand and business success within the framework set by Global Business Units (BUs)

Key Responsibilities :

Support to drive & develop a 3-5 year category plan based on overall adidas BU process in collaboration with Global BU

Support financial expectations set out in the category integrated business planning across all channels

Develop category initiatives to meet key commercial goals

Support the development of business mid-long term division plan in alignment with global vision

Be the interface between Global Business Unit (BU) and market stakeholders

Collaborate with relevant cross functional teams to develop and execute plans

Own end to end (E2E) market strategy and execution from Integrated Business Planning, Commercial Input to in season trade and exit

Own quality delivery toward each GTM milestones

Own go to market planning excellence in compliance with targets for forecasting, pricing, profitability, range size, range flow, range adoption, Article Performance Review (APR) etc. including system, catalogue and master data maintenance

Define the category range by sales channels, by stores or trade zone where necessary, within guidelines or alignments

Support to materialize business opportunities throughout the communication with Global BU, Channels, Wholesale accounts and any relevant external research

Own key franchise lifecycle and inventory level to ensure brand health

Perform category insights and analytics including market / consumer / competitor insights and sales analysis and leverage for planning

Own the input of local product and allocation demand to global

Responsible for Creation Center Tokyo (CCT) creation from brief to ensure product offers to achieve the category financial target, delivery and sell through and exit

Support cross category and functional specific initiatives

Present range internally and externally with sufficient sample availability

Participate to customer interaction in planning phase

Manage, developperformance,and winning culture with fast action through organization’s people values, motivate team / direct reports in alignment with the market organization

Development culture

Drive employee engagement, leading by example.

KPI’s :

Category Net Sales (NS), Net Margin and Contribution

Sell-out all channels

Forecast & data accuracy, Drop rate

Net Promote Score (NPS)

Market share

Key Relationships :

Global BU

Creation center including local trading company

Brand Activation, Culture marketing, Sport marketing

Business development, GTM head office

Demand planning, SCM, Finance

Channels and External Wholesale partners

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Ability to implement strategy

Strong presentation / communication, negotiation and influencing skills, especially with senior stakeholders within a global matrix organization.

Distinct track record of success and high-level range management knowledge

Strong cross-functional and stakeholder management experience across commercial functions (e.g. marketing, sales, etc.) and support functions (finance preferred), as well as different organizational levels (Global, Market, etc.)

Strong industry knowledge, across divisions—footwear, apparel and accessories.

Expert understanding of markets’ consumers, accounts, economic environment and commercial needs

Ability to Manage, Coach and Develop People

Results Oriented Mindset

Strong team player with high level of integrity & attention to detail

Pro-active, collaborative and positive attitude even in changing environments

Strong data analysis skills and ability to translate and articulate data results into clear business actions.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications :

5 years of experience in range management / product required.

University degree in Business or equivalent professional experience, ideally in Sales and / or Marketing, MBA preferred

Sporting goods industry experience required

Business level in both Japanese and English Mandatory

Has substantial experience working with local customers and international stakeholders

High Business Acumen

Strong PC Skills including Outlook, Word, Excel (Pivot), Powerpoint, etc

Passion for sports and belief that through sports we have the power to change lives