Lead Merchant, Jack Purcell & Sport Authentics Footwear – Converse

Nike Inc; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Interview accommodations

Job summary

Converse is seeking a Lead Merchant to shape product strategy for Jack Purcell & Sport Authentics, driving seasonal merchandising and line planning in a fast-paced environment from Boston. You will connect consumer insights with global opportunities and collaborate across product management, marketing, and planning teams.

The role requires 5+ years in merchandising or analytics, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel, Keynote, and PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in merchandising, commercial, marketing, product creation, retail, or analytics roles.
• Proven ability to influence across levels and communicate with clarity.
• Deep merchandising acumen with a strong understanding of global marketplace dynamics and franchise management.
• Strong analytical capabilities to translate insights into action.
• Proficient in Excel, Keynote and PowerPoint.
• Open to work in Boston, MA

Responsibilities

• Lead global line planning, assortment architecture, and seasonal merchandising strategy for Jack Purcell & Sport Authentics.
• Partner with geography and channel merchandising teams to incorporate regional consumer, marketplace and commercial insights into global franchise and assortment strategies.
• Influence product creation decisions through consumer insights, marketplace trends, and business opportunities.
• Analyze performance, trends, competition, margin, lifecycle, and flow to identify opportunities and inform decisions.
• Manage seasonal line plans, product tools, and system accuracy across multiple seasons.
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships to ensure alignment at key milestones and decision points.
• Support sample management, showroom execution, and compelling product storytelling through presentations.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication clarity

Influence across levels

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Excel

Keynote

PowerPoint

Job description

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $102,800.00 in our lowest geographic market to $210,000.00 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.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

The Global Merchandising Footwear team brings product strategy to life for Converse consumers around the world. This role reports to the Senior Manager of Global Merchandising, Jack Purcell & Sport Authentics and partners closely with Global Product Management, Marketing, Planning, Channel Merchandising, and Marketplace teams while maintaining strong alignment with our apparel and footwear businesses.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Converse is looking for a consumer-obsessed merchant with a passion for product and a deep curiosity for culture. You stay connected to how people move, express themselves, and engage with the world around them. Whether it's footwear, apparel, furniture, toys, or anything designed with intent, you see product as a reflection of creativity and connection.

You bring equal parts instinct and analysis, using data, marketplace insights, and consumer behavior to inform decisions and unlock growth. You thrive in fast-moving environments, navigate ambiguity with confidence, and build strong partnerships across functions. You're a collaborative problem solver who leads through influence, embraces accountability, and approaches every challenge with a learner's mindset. Most importantly, you're energized by shaping product strategies that serve our consumers.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• 5+ years of experience in merchandising, commercial, marketing, product creation, retail, or analytics roles supporting these functions
• Proven ability to influence across levels, drive alignment, and communicate with clarity
• Deep merchandising acumen with a strong understanding of global marketplace dynamics and franchise management
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate insights into action
• Impeccable attention to detail with the ability to manage timelines, deliverables, and multiple seasonal priorities
• Proficient in Excel, Keynote and Powerpoint
• Open to work in Boston, MA

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As Lead Merchant, Jack Purcell & Sport Authentics, you'll help shape the future of Converse product for our consumers. You'll drive seasonal and long-range merchandising strategies, connecting consumer insights, global marketplace opportunities, and business priorities to create meaningful growth.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead global line planning, assortment architecture, and seasonal merchandising strategy for Jack Purcell & Sport Authentics
• Partner with geography and channel merchandising teams to incorporate regional consumer, marketplace and commercial insights into global franchise and assortment strategies
• Influence product creation decisions through consumer insights, marketplace trends, and business opportunities
• Analyze performance, trends, competition, margin, lifecycle, and flow to identify opportunities and inform decisions
• Manage seasonal line plans, product tools, and system accuracy across multiple seasons
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships to ensure alignment at key milestones and decision points
• Support sample management, showroom execution, and compelling product storytelling through presentations

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.