Senior Merchandiser Sportstyle

PUMA Gruppe; Manchester, Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports brand in Manchester seeks a talented Merchandising professional to connect market needs with product development. This role involves driving product assortments, analyzing sales data, and collaborating across teams to maximize opportunities. Ideal candidates will have strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, along with relevant experience in product line management or merchandising.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in product line management or merchandising.
• Strong business orientation and retail mathematics knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Drive product assortments based on retailer and consumer needs.
• Analyze sales data to deliver accurate forecasts.
• Collaborate with sales to execute flow plans.

Skills

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Communication

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Power BI

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 BE YOU to let our individual talent and experience shine. Applying for a job at PUMA is easy. Simply click APPLY ONLINE and follow the steps to upload your application.

Your Talent

• Relevant wholesale or retail experience in product line management, merchandising and/or sales.
• An excellent intuitive understanding of the footwear and apparel sports-lifestyle business, the competitive environment, and future trends in the assigned business segment.
• Ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships.
• Forecasting and planning skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial, inquisitive, and tenacious attitude.
• Problem solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills to relay strategic plans to large audiences.
• Demonstrated passion and desire to work as part of a successful team.
• Strong business orientation, analytical skills, and retail mathematics knowledge.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions.
• Desire to own projects, exceed expectations, and find solutions.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Power BI, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• This role requires UK and overseas travel.

Your Mission

• Provide a compelling, market-relevant range of Sportstyle footwear, apparel, and accessories to maximize opportunities aligned with company strategy.
• Drive and execute product assortments based on retailer and consumer needs, achieving seasonal KPIs.
• Translate consumer trends and qualitative information into insights for global Business Units, referencing competitor products.
• Use quantitative data like revenue, margins, and forecasts to inform regional and global insights.
• Deliver detailed product briefs for inline and Special Make-Up (SMU) products to regional and global teams.
• Oversee full product setup, including systems, restrictions, trackers, and pricing.
• Become an expert in your category, providing market insights, trends, and consumer needs to regional and global teams.
• Ensure seasonal deadlines are met through adherence to the global critical path process.
• Participate in regional/global meetings to influence and deliver on market needs.
• Identify and implement inline and account-specific SMU needs early.
• Support sales with account previews, feedback, and compelling GTM materials.
• Develop and manage strategies aligned with distribution and account plans.
• Review and optimize assortments for efficiency.
• Analyze sales data to deliver accurate forecasts and work with operations to reconcile these forecasts.
• Create impactful presentations and sales materials.
• Collaborate with sales to execute flow plans and door strategies.
• Contribute to regional merchandising plans, tailoring for channels and key accounts.
• Identify new business opportunities and provide feedback to global teams.
• Support the development of a strong merchandising team through leadership and project ownership.
• Manage gross margin, sample, and efficiency targets.
• Conduct store visits and compile reports on retailer and competitor activity.
• Make strategic decisions proactively to lead the business in your area.
• Place sample orders considering seasonal needs to maximize efficiency.
• Manage showroom setups at season start and pack down afterward.
• Contribute to profitable growth and review weekly GTM updates.

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. We are committed to equality and do not tolerate harassment or discrimination.

PUMA supports over 21,000 employees across 51 countries. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Our offices and teams: PUMA UK offers opportunities in London, Manchester, Batley, and Dublin.

We encourage your passion for sports – it’s at the core of what we do. For PUMA Merchandising, connecting market needs with product development is essential. We turn market and consumer insights into innovative products.