(Senior) Manager Global Retail Category Planning

PUMA; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

PUMA is seeking a Senior Manager Global Retail Category Planning to drive the global merchandising strategy for a category across Direct-to-Consumer channels, ensuring a strong, consumer-relevant product offer for Full Price Stores, Factory Outlets, and E-commerce.

The role partners with Global GTM, Product Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Retail teams to shape assortment strategies, manage lifecycle, and align with retail marketing across channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or related field.
• 5-8+ years of experience in merchandising, preferably in sportswear or fashion retail.
• Strong experience in DTC / Retail merchandising (Full Price & Outlet exposure is a plus).
• Proven track record of driving commercial results.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Define assortment principles across E-commerce, Full Price Stores, and Factory Outlet channels.
• Build a clear and differentiated product strategy aligned with the overall brand direction.
• Develop assortment frameworks covering product flow, depth, breadth, and option count, article count across business units, gender, age groups, product groups, and franchises, price points and price tiers.
• Ensure the right balance between core, seasonal, and trend-driven products.
• Define seasonal launch and drop calendars to drive traffic, engagement, and productivity. Cross-Functional Collaboration.
• Partner closely with Global GTM, Product Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Retail Marketing teams.
• Ensure DTC requirements are embedded early in the product creation process.
• Align merchandising strategies with retail execution across stores and online channels.
• Support compelling product presentations through strong storytelling and channel execution.

Skills

Merchandising

DTC/Retail

Data-driven

Analytics

Stakeholder mgmt

Retail KPIs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business

Job description

SPEED & SPIRIT is what we look for in our candidates, defined by some simple values that inspire us to BE DRIVEN in our performance, BE VIBRANT in our sporting legacy, BE TOGETHER in our team spirit, and to let our individual talent and experience shine. Applying for a job at PUMA is easy.

YOUR MISSION

The (Senior) Manager Global Retail Category Planning drives the global merchandising strategy for a specific category across Direct-to-Consumer channels, ensuring a commercially strong, consumer-relevant, and differentiated product offer across Full Price Stores, Factory Outlets, and E-commerce. This role works closely with Global GTM and Regional Merchandising teams to shape DTC-specific assortment strategies, including retail exclusives, product lifecycle management, and strong alignment with retail marketing across all channels.

Global DTC Assortment Strategy

• Define assortment principles across E-commerce, Full Price Stores, and Factory Outlet channels
• Build a clear and differentiated product strategy aligned with the overall brand direction
• Develop assortment frameworks covering: Product flow, depth, breadth, and option count, article count across business units, gender, age groups, product groups, and franchises, price points and price tiers
• Ensure the right balance between core, seasonal, and trend-driven products
• Define seasonal launch and drop calendars to drive traffic, engagement, and productivity. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with Global GTM, Product Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Retail Marketing teams
• Ensure DTC requirements are embedded early in the product creation process
• Align merchandising strategies with retail execution across stores and online channels
• Support compelling product presentations through strong storytelling and channel execution.

Regional Support & Alignment

• Provide frameworks, tools, and strategic guidance to regional merchandising teams
• Support localization of assortments while maintaining global consistency
• Enable clear channel segmentation and execution excellence across markets.

Performance & Insights

• Monitor key business metrics such as sell-through, margin, and inventory productivity
• Identify opportunities and risks to improve future assortments and product flows
• Provide insights to Global GTM and Product Creation teams.

YOUR TALENT

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or related field
• 5-8+ years of experience in merchandising, preferably in sportswear or fashion retail
• Strong experience in DTC / Retail merchandising (Full Price & Outlet exposure is a plus)
• Proven track record of driving commercial results
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
• Deep understanding of retail KPIs and merchandising levers
• Consumer-centric mindset with strong commercial acumen
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, matrix organization
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution.

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at

PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.

At PUMA, every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity - no matter your background, identity, or experience.To ensure our process stays true to these values, no automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions. Every decision is made by real people -with real judgment and accountability. We may use functions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out isolated organizational steps, such as scheduling interviews. These functions have no influence on decisions in the application process. We believe in creating spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and empowered to contribute authentically. Because at PUMA, whoever wants to play, can play.

PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in 120+ countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide.