Lead Merchant, Kids Global Footwear - Converse

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Converse seeks a Lead Merchant, Kids Footwear to shape product strategy for Gen Alpha creators, driving seasonal and long-range merchandising that connects consumer insights with marketplace opportunities. The role reports to the Director of Global Merchandising and partners with Design, Product Creation, Planning, Marketing, and Marketplace teams.

You will lead global line planning, analyze performance, and manage cross-functional alignment across seasons.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field and relevant experience.
• 5+ years in merchandising, commercial, marketing, product, retail, or analytics.
• Ability to influence, communicate clearly, and drive alignment.
• Open to work in Boston, MA.

Responsibilities

• Lead global line planning, assortment architecture, and seasonal strategy for Kids' Footwear.
• Drive seasonal and long-range merchandising strategies linking insights, opportunities, and priorities.
• Influence product creation decisions through consumer insights and trends.
• Partner with Design, Product Creation, Planning, and Marketing to define category strategy.
• Analyze performance, trends, competition, margin, lifecycle to inform decisions.
• Manage seasonal line plans, product tools, and system accuracy.
• Build cross-functional relationships to align at milestones and decisions.
• Support sample management, showroom execution, and product storytelling.

Skills

Influence across levels

Analytical capabilities

Consumer insights

Cross-functional relationships

Market trends

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Job description

About the Role

The Global Merchandising Footwear team brings product strategy to life for Converse consumers around the world. The Lead Merchant, Kids Footwear helps shape the future of Converse product for Gen Alpha creators, driving seasonal and long-range merchandising strategies that connect consumer insights, marketplace opportunities, and business priorities. The role reports to the Director of Global Merchandising, Chuck Taylor, and partners closely with Global Product Management, Marketing, Planning, Channel Merchandising, and Marketplace teams, while maintaining strong alignment with the Mens/Unisex and Womens footwear businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead global line planning, assortment architecture, and seasonal merchandising strategy for Kids' Footwear.
• Drive seasonal and long-range merchandising strategies that connect consumer insights, marketplace opportunities, and business priorities to create meaningful growth.
• Influence product creation decisions through consumer insights, marketplace trends, and business opportunities.
• Partner with Design, Product Creation, Planning, and Marketing to define category strategy and future growth plans.
• Analyse 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.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field; any suitable combination of education, experience, and training will be accepted.
• 5+ years of experience in merchandising, commercial, marketing, product, retail, or analytics roles supporting these functions.
• Proven ability to influence across levels, drive alignment, and communicate with clarity.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate insights into action.
• Open to work in Boston, MA.
• Consumer-obsessed merchant with a passion for product and a deep curiosity for culture, staying connected to how people move, express themselves, and engage with the world around them.
• Equal parts instinct and analysis, using data, marketplace insights, and consumer behaviour to inform decisions and unlock growth.
• Able to thrive in fast-moving environments, navigate ambiguity with confidence, and build strong partnerships across functions.
• Collaborative problem solver who leads through influence, embraces accountability, and approaches every challenge with a learner's mindset.

Salary

• The annual base salary for this position ranges from $102,800.00 in the lowest geographic market to $210,000.00 in the highest geographic market. Actual salary will vary based on a candidate's location, qualifications, skills and experience.

The Application Process

Converse offers a number of accommodations to complete the interview process, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, an accessible single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed.