Global DTC Category Strategy Lead

PUMA; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

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

The role collaborates with Global GTM and Regional Merchandising to shape DTC assortments, lifecycle management, and retail marketing alignment across all 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 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.

Responsibilities

• Define assortment principles across E-commerce, Full Price Stores, and Factory Outlet channels.
• Build differentiated product strategy aligned with the brand direction.
• Develop assortment frameworks covering product flow, depth, breadth, and options; article counts across units, gender, age groups, product groups, franchises, price points and tiers.
• Ensure balance between core, seasonal, and trend-driven products.
• Define seasonal launch and drop calendars; drive traffic, engagement, and productivity.
• Partner with Global GTM, Product Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Retail Marketing teams.
• Ensure DTC requirements are embedded early in product creation and align with retail execution.
• Support compelling product presentations through storytelling and channel execution.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Merchandising experience

DTC merchandising

Analytical skills

Retail KPIs

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Execution ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or related field

Job description

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

The role collaborates with Global GTM and Regional Merchandising to shape DTC assortments, lifecycle management, and retail marketing alignment across all channels.