Assistant Manager - B&M (Sports Category - Footwear)

Skechers South Asia Private Limited; Mumbai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Skechers South Asia Private Limited is seeking an Assistant Manager in Buying & Merchandising for Mumbai. You will support the Sports Footwear category with seasonal range planning, assortment building, and performance tracking, while coordinating with Marketing, Stores, and cross-functional partners to ensure optimal range execution and product availability.

The role emphasizes store-level analysis, product knowledge, and training, along with contributing to new product development for key

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years in Buying & Merchandising in footwear/retail.
• FDDI qualification preferred; equivalents may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Seasonal range planning and assortment building for Sports Footwear.
• Track season product launches and ensure alignment with assortments.
• Monitor product deliveries and flag availability gaps to stakeholders.
• Analyse store- and category-level performance to drive GM% and sell-through.
• Support EOSS planning and performance monitoring with the team.
• Coordinate marketing and visual merchandising plans for new-season products.
• Conduct product training for store teams and share seasonal knowledge.

Skills

Seasonal planning

Assortment building

Footwear knowledge

Sell-through management

Category analysis

Store performance

EOSS planning

Product training

Merchandise display

Cross-functional coordination

Data interpretation

Commercial acumen

Attention to detail

Education

Postgraduate qualification from FDDI

Job description

The Assistant Manager – Buying & Merchandising will support the Sports Footwear category in seasonal range planning, assortment building, product and category performance tracking, and End-of-Season Sale (EOSS) planning. The role will work closely with the Buying & Merchandising team, Marketing, Stores, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective range execution, product availability, sell-through, and category performance. The role will also contribute to store-level performance analysis, product knowledge initiatives, merchandise presentation, and new product development for key channels and partners.

The Assistant Manager – Buying & Merchandising will support the Sports Footwear category in seasonal range planning, assortment building, product and category performance tracking, and End-of-Season Sale (EOSS) planning. The role will work closely with the Buying & Merchandising team, Marketing, Stores, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective range execution, product availability, sell-through, and category performance. The role will also contribute to store-level performance analysis, product knowledge initiatives, merchandise presentation, and new product development for key channels and partners.

Particulars Details

Job Title: Buying & Merchandising Designation: Assistant Manager Department Category – Footwear (Sports) Position Type: Permanent Location: Mumbai Reporting To: Senior Manager – Buying & Merchandising No. of Reportees: Individual Contributor Experience: 2–5 Years Education: Postgraduate qualification from FDDI or an equivalent qualification in Footwear, Fashion, Merchandising, Retail, or a related field.

Role Purpose

The Assistant Manager – Buying & Merchandising will support the Sports Footwear category in seasonal range planning, assortment building, product and category performance tracking, and End-of-Season Sale (EOSS) planning. The role will work closely with the Buying & Merchandising team, Marketing, Stores, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective range execution, product availability, sell-through, and category performance. The role will also contribute to store-level performance analysis, product knowledge initiatives, merchandise presentation, and new product development for key channels and partners.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Season Range Planning & Assortment Support

Seasonal range planning and assortment building for the Sports Footwear category. Participate in and coordinate season product conferences. Support the development of category-wise product assortments aligned with business and category requirements. Create and maintain seasonal buy forms and product catalogues. Track and monitor seasonal product launches and ensure alignment with planned assortments.

2. Product & Delivery Management

Take ownership of tracking season deliveries for the respective category. Monitor product availability and highlight potential delivery or availability gaps to relevant stakeholders. Coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely execution of seasonal product plans.

3. Category Performance & Sell-Through

• Region level
• Store and store-grade level
• Category level
• Gender level
• Style level
• Size level

Identify key performance trends, gaps, and opportunities and share relevant insights with the Buying & Merchandising team. Support achievement of agreed GM% and category performance deliverables.

4. EOSS Planning & Monitoring

Support the End-of-Season Sale (EOSS) planning in coordination with the Buying Manager. Analyse category and store-level performance to support EOSS decisions. Monitor EOSS performance and highlight key trends, opportunities, and concerns.

5. Marketing & Visual Merchandising Support

Support the Marketing calendar and key marketing initiatives for the season. Draft and support the implementation of merchandise display plans for new-season products. Coordinate with relevant teams to ensure appropriate product visibility and presentation across stores.

6. Product Training & Knowledge Building

Conduct product training sessions for store teams. Build and strengthen product knowledge among store staff, particularly around key Sports Footwear products, features, benefits, and selling points. Support the dissemination of seasonal product information to relevant stakeholders.

7. Product Development & Channel Support

Support new product development initiatives for key channels and partners. Work with the Buying & Merchandising team to provide category and market inputs relevant to product development. Support evaluation of product and assortment opportunities based on category and channel requirements.

Role Specifications

Qualification: Graduate from FDDI (Footwear Design & Development Institute) preferred. Candidates with relevant educational qualifications in Footwear, Fashion, Retail, Merchandising, or related disciplines may also be considered.

Experience: Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in Buying & Merchandising, preferably within the Sports Footwear / Footwear / Retail industry. Prior experience in seasonal range planning, assortment building, category analysis, and sell-through management is preferred.

Key Competencies

• Seasonal Range Planning & Assortment Building
• Sports Footwear / Footwear Category Knowledge
• Buying & Merchandising Sell-Through Management
• Category Performance Analysis
• Store-Level Performance Analysis
• EOSS Planning & Management
• Product & Size-Level Analysis
• GM% & Category Performance Management
• Product Knowledge & Training
• Merchandise Display Planning
• Cross-functional Coordination
• Analytical & Data Interpretation Skills
• Commercial Acumen
• Attention to Detail

Key Success Measures

• Effective seasonal range and assortment planning
• Achievement of category sell-through and GM% targets
• Timely tracking and execution of seasonal deliveries
• Accuracy and quality of category/store-level performance analysis
• Effective EOSS planning and performance
• Successful execution of product training and seasonal product initiatives
• Contribution to new product development and channel-specific assortment opportunities

About Skechers

Skechers, a global Fortune 500 company, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. Serving over 180 countries and territories, Skechers connects customers to products through department and specialty stores, e-commerce and digital stores, and through our more than 5,300 Skechers retail locations. Join our team of innovators, creators, and designers. Skechers, the global leader in comfort technologies, brings together employees from around the globe to deliver stylish products for people of all ages.

Our employees are passionate about more than just the products we design, employees – we value community involvement and give back to local communities through a variety of initiatives including Skechers Foundation and Bobs for Dogs. Learn more about who Skechers supports local communities around the world. Stay up to date on our brand, job openings, community involvement, and more via LinkedIn.

Skechers, a global Fortune 500 company, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. Serving over 180 countries and territories, Skechers connects customers to products through department and specialty stores, e-commerce and digital stores, and through our more than 5,300 Skechers retail locations. From footwear to apparel and accessories, Skechers has a product for you and your family. Learn more about our many product offerings here.