Buying Manager - Football

ADIDAS; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Adidas is seeking a Buying Manager for its EU eCommerce Football category in Amsterdam. You will own the full buying process from range selection and forecasting to launch execution, partnering with EU Football Business Unit to translate consumer insights into assortment and investment decisions.

You will lead pre-season range and buy forecasts, collaborating with Planning, Demand Planning, Merchandising Operations, Digital Activation, and other teams to maximize commercial performance and

Qualifications

• University degree required.
• 3+ years of professional Buying or Merchandising experience.
• Experience in a multi-channel direct-to-consumer environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as the eCom Product Merchandising representative and category expert for Football, influencing cross-functional decisions.
• Own the end-to-end range selection, buy process and forecasting for Football, aligned with Brand priorities and targets.
• Leverage consumer demand signals and AI-enabled tools to improve forecasting accuracy and inform range and investment decisions.
• Manage range handovers, forecasts, launch phasing and size curves to maximize demand capture.
• Drive product launches and maximize demand around Football moments and collaborations.

Skills

Buying

Product merchandising

Category management

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Education

University degree

Tools

AI tools

Job description

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION

As part of the EU eCommerce Product Merchandising team, the Buying Manager owns end-to-end merchandising for Football, ensuring the right product, quantity and timing to drive consumer demand and sustainable growth.

You will lead the full buying process, from range selection and forecasting to launch execution and in-season optimization, partnering closely with the EU Football Business Unit to translate consumer insights and commercial data into assortment and investment decisions.

The role owns pre-season range and buy forecasts, while working cross-functionally with Planning & Trading, Demand Planning, Merchandising Operations, Digital Activation, Consumer Experience, Digital Analytics and Business Units to maximize commercial performance and deliver best-in-class Football product experiences online.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the eCom Product Merchandising representative and category expert for Football, influencing key cross-functional decisions through consumer and commercial insights.


• Own the end-to-end range selection, buy process and forecasting for Football, aligned with Brand priorities, commercial objectives and agreed investment targets.


• Leverage consumer demand signals, advanced analytics and AI-enabled tools to improve forecasting accuracy and inform range, investment and size-level decisions.


• Manage range handovers, including forecasts, launch phasing and size curves, to maximize consumer demand capture.


• Drive impactful product launches and maximize demand around key Football moments, including clubs, federations, player collaborations, tournaments and cultural moments.


• Support name & number personalization, locally created products (NAC/LAC) and premium launch strategies to unlock incremental commercial opportunities. Drive in-season range management and translate trading insights into actionable recommendations including launch acceleration, stock reallocation, chase buys, markdowns and visibility enhancements.


• Support delivery of Net Sales, Sell-Through, Markdown and Full Price targets through effective merchandising and range decisions.


• Partner closely with Business Units, Go-To-Market, Planning, Trading, Digital Analytics, Demand Planning, Merchandising Operations, Digital Activation, Digital Visual Merchandising and Partner Program teams to align consumer demand, inventory availability and commercial priorities.


• Represent the eCom channel throughout seasonal and Go-To-Market milestones, influencing category strategy through a consumer-first perspective.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Broader Product Merchandising team: Performance Buying, Lifestyle Buying, Planning & Trading, Off Price Merchandising & Merchandising Operations


• EU Business Units


• Digital Sales - Partner Program team


• DAT - Digital Activation Team


• CX & DVM - Consumer Experience and Digital Visual Merchandising


• Digital Analytics


• Europe Demand Planning

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong expertise in buying, product merchandising or category management within a multi-channel direct-to-consumer environment


• Commercial and consumer mindset, with the ability to translate insights into profitable growth opportunities and merchandising decisions


• Strong analytical skills and experience leveraging data, automation and AI-enabled tools to drive fact-based forecasting and decision-making


• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to drive alignment across functions and organizational levels


• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, build strong partnerships and deliver results through collaboration
  
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken


• Passion for Football, consumer trends and the sporting goods industry

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• University degree


• 3+ years of professional experience, ideally in Buying or Product Merchandising roles