Senior Channel Merchandiser [AQ-23723]

Aquent is partnering with a leading global athletic brand that inspires millions to achieve their potential through sport. This innovative company is at the forefront of designing and delivering groundbreaking athletic apparel, footwear, and equipment, constantly pushing boundaries in performance and style. Be part of a team dedicated to shaping the future of sport and consumer experience worldwide, where your contributions will directly influence product direction and market success for key sports categories across North America.

About The Opportunity

Step into a pivotal role where your strategic vision and expertise will drive channel assortment strategies, significantly impacting revenue growth and market share by connecting consumers with the products they love. This is a unique opportunity to make high-impact strategic calls, navigate complex product negotiations, and directly shape the marketplace for a dynamic sports merchandising team. You will be instrumental in ensuring that North American consumer and marketplace insights are deeply integrated into future product lines, fostering product differentiation and influencing the future of sport.

What You’ll Do

• Develop comprehensive channel and tier-specific assortments across apparel, equipment, and footwear for North American marketplace channels.
• Craft multi-season strategic plans by channel, ensuring alignment with marketplace growth objectives and financial targets.
• Lead critical assortment negotiations with global product teams, ensuring North American consumer and marketplace insights are deeply integrated into future line plans.
• Provide valuable capacity and tiering insights to product merchandising teams to foster product differentiation across various channels.
• Monitor and analyze franchise health within your assigned channels using key performance metrics, actively managing in-season and future inventory through expert assortment and buy recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with sales and planning partners on invest/divest strategies and style-level forecasting.
• Proactively identify emerging market trends and product opportunities, integrating them into closer-to-market product creation and future seasonal line plans.
• Confidently present strategic recommendations and insights to cross-functional groups and senior leadership.
  
  

Must-Have Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in merchandising (marketplace, wholesale, consumer, or sport) or retail, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong background in footwear and apparel merchandising.
• Proven track record of making strategic business decisions and delivering impactful presentations to diverse groups.
• Extensive experience leading complex negotiations concerning product and assortment with global or cross-regional teams.
• Profound understanding of retail math and demonstrated proficiency with profit-based metrics and sophisticated marketplace analytics.
• Deep knowledge of diverse marketplace channels and a nuanced understanding of how different consumers engage with them.
• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  
  

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Previous experience in golf and/or tennis product categories.
• Global product assortment experience.
• Prior experience with a major athletic, footwear, or sporting goods brand.
  
  

Client Description

Global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Our client focuses on innovation, performance, and marketing, partnering with top athletes and teams. The company emphasizes sustainability and digital advancements to enhance the sports experience.