Director, Direct Merchandising Global - Converse

Nike; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 158,000 - 332,000; Full time

Job summary

Converse, a Nike brand, is seeking a Director of Direct Merchandising to develop and execute direct merchandising and buying strategies across stores and digital platforms. You will lead a team of merchants, drive sales, margin and consumer experience, and champion agile, data-informed decision making.

In this role you will partner with Planning, Marketing and Direct teams to align product assortment, pricing, and performance with brand goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, merchandising, or related field.
• 8+ years of merchandising experience, including omnichannel retail.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience.
• Proven revenue growth and merchandising performance across digital and store channels.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the direct merchandising and buying strategy to drive sales, margin and consumer engagement.
• Define product assortment and pricing across direct channels; partner with Planning and Marketing for cohesive execution.
• Lead a team of merchants, including hiring, training and performance evaluations.
• Monitor KPIs and balance inventory with demand forecasts; leverage insights for future strategies.
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Focus on consumer-centric experiences and data-informed decision making.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Omnichannel retail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business

Job description

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $157,600.00 in our lowest geographic market to $332,300.00 in our highest geographic market. Actual salary will vary based on a candidate's location, qualifications, skills and experience.

Information about benefits can be found here.

Are you interested in working for the most iconic and well-loved sneaker brand in the world? Born in sports and made for the street, Converse is a place to explore your potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. We seek people who can lead, grow, think, dream, and create. Our culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. Converse seeks achievers, leaders, and visionaries. At Converse, it’s about each person bringing their authentic self, skills, and passion to serve the daring spirit of youth.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Director of Direct Merchandising. This position is responsible for developing and executing merchandising and buy strategies that drive sales, margin and consumer experience across both stores and digital platforms. An expert in merchandising principles and deeply engaged in the business to lead highly collaborative teams in delivering best-in class product strategies. They will champion the role of a leader inspiring teams by fostering a culture of agility and continuous learning.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

This position defines and oversees the merchandising strategy and execution aligned with the brands strategy to achieve growth and profitability, while creating best-in class experiences for our consumer. This role will oversee the in-season performance management responding to consumer demand and identifying new growth opportunities guided by data. Responsibilities include:

Merchandising Strategy and Execution:

Develop and lead the overall direct merchandising and buying strategy to drive sales, margin and consumer engagement. Define product assortment and pricing across direct channels. Partner with Planning and Marketing teams to ensure cohesive execution.

Team Leadership:

As a leader, you will manage and mentor a team of merchants, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a consumer-first mindset across all partnerships. Manage hiring, training and performance evaluations.

Analytics and Performance:

Monitor KPIs such as traffic, conversion, AOV, revenue, margin and sell-through. Balance inventory levels and demand forecast in collaboration with Planning team. Leverage tools to generate insights and shape future product and buy strategies. Present findings and strategic recommendations to key cross functional peers and leadership.

Consumer-Centric:

Obsess our consumer. Putting the consumer at the heart of everything we do. Use trend and market data as well as hold focus groups to gain insights and shape seasonal product priorities.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

You will partner closely with cross-functional leaders across Planning, Marketing and Direct teams to align merchandising and buy strategies with business goals. This role will also serve as a key member of the Global Marketplace Merchandising leadership team.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in business, merchandising, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
• 8+ years of merchandising experience, including omnichannel retail
• 3+ years of people leadership experience
• Proven experience of driving revenue growth and improving merchandising performance across digital and store businesses
• Ability to think creatively, strategically and technically; balancing working at both the operational and strategic levels
• Strong analytical skills and retail acumen with proven ability to translate performance metrics into future insights
• Deep understanding of retail trends, consumer behaviors and digital commerce
• Excellent leadership, facilitation and interpersonal skills with the ability to work across functional lines and levels
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, delegate work and concurrently manage multiple projects
• Footwear industry preferred
• Ability to travel 25%

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.