About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Adidas, and Mitchell & Ness.

We currently operate 1,200 locations domestically and 50 internationally, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and numerous MLB teams. In recent years, Lids has built partnerships with iconic global brands including Marvel, Playboy, and the Harlem Globetrotters, and gained ambassadors like Justin Jefferson, Quavo, and Josephine Skriver – creating a community for both sports fans and fashion lovers.

The company is currently expanding with the goal of becoming the largest licensed brick-and-mortar sports retailer across the globe.

General Position Summary

The Sr. Manager, Merchandise Analytics & Automation collaborates with merchandising teams to design and maintain analytics solutions, utilizing various data analytics platforms and visualization tools. The candidate is responsible for translating business requirements into technical specifications to create reports and tools that aid merchandising in making informed, data-driven decisions. The candidate also plays a pivotal role in reviewing existing processes, tools, and reports, identifying areas for exponential improvement through technology and automation, and working extensively with data analytics tools such as Power BI, Excel VBA, and Python. Proficiency in SQL, database management systems, BI technologies, and an understanding of retail/merchandising is required.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborates across merchandising to design, develop, and maintain analytics and business intelligence solutions.
• Utilizes data analytics platforms, reporting tools, and visualization to transform data into meaningful insights to help merchandising make informed, data-driven decisions.
• Translates business needs into technical specifications to create reports, tools, and visualizations. 
• Effectively deploys new tools/reporting to the business with well thought-out training and communication plans.
• Uses SQL to provide advanced reporting to Allocation, Buying and Planning departments.
• Reviews existing processes, tools, and reports and determines where improvement can be made through technology and automation.
• Works heavily with data analytics tools including Power BI, Excel VBA, Python, etc.
• Develops and updates training and technical documentation.
• Creates reports and visualizations for adhoc projects and requests.
• Partners with IT to get processes and reporting built into the enterprise database architecture.

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree required preferably in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Information Systems, Business, or Merchandising/Retail.
• 5 years of SQL experience.
• 5 years of retail and data analytics experience.
• Experience building complex systems and algorithms capable of assuming responsibility for key analytic and allocation models.
• Comprehensive understanding of a retail environment, processes, and procedures.
• Experience with data analytics and automation tools including Power BI, Excel, Python, etc.
• Proficient in Word, PowerPoint and Excel (VBA experience preferred).
• Excellent leadership and communication skills to include articulating ideas and gathering input from key stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, deal with ambiguity, and prioritize multiple projects.
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to focus sharply on driving incremental value.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a high tolerance for ambiguity.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.

Reports To

• VP of Allocation

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