Manager, Performance Merchandising Footwear

ASICS America Corporation; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

ASICS America Corporation seeks a Manager of Performance Merchandising Footwear to lead a cross-functional team and build consumer-guided assortments for performance running footwear, apparel, and accessories. Based in our Boston office, you will report to the Category Director, Performance Run and drive strategic channel initiatives.

You’ll influence product development with market insights, oversee pricing and margins, and collaborate with Product Marketing and Sales to achieve targets in a

Qualifications

• 7-9 years of experience in product management, merchandising, sales, or retail within the athletic footwear industry.
• 1-3 years experience managing direct reports or equivalent training and experience.
• Strong technical proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to manage large data sets.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training, required.
• Strong understanding of the athletic marketplace and the performance running industry.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team within the Performance Merchandising channel, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Serve as the Channel Merchandising Leader, setting account assortments to meet sales expectations.
• Build and maintain channel/account strategy, covering financial history and forecasts, account tactics, consumer insights, competitive information, SMU plans, and retailer information.
• Filter and build product assortment and pricing strategy within the responsible channel, including the channel/account SMU plan and initial pricing and margin guidance across the range.
• Forecast and assort the seasonal line to meet channel and company targets.
• Serve as a market expert, funneling buyer feedback, consumer trends, retail shifts, and whitespace opportunities to merchandising leadership.
• Present the seasonal range to the sales force and accounts during sales meetings and pre-lines.
• Build sales tools for the assigned channel and account.
• Adheres to all company policies and procedures
• Embodies and demonstrates company ethics and values
• Abides by all federal, state and local laws

Skills

Team leadership

Merchandising

Channel strategy

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

At ASICS, our Sound Mind, Sound Body™ philosophy is more than a tagline, it's our way of life. Over 75 years ago our founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, saw that sport and movement had the power to lift spirits, project positivity, and propel people and whole communities forward.

ASICS provides a diverse and inclusive culture that enables learning, growth, and opportunity at all levels. Our robust employee benefits allow for real work-life balance and a strong sense of community. We empower our employees to pursue their career goals. If this sounds like you, then we want you on our team.

A Brief Overview

The Manager, Performance Merchandising Footwear leads a channel for ASICS' Merchandising team, building consumer-right assortments for performance running footwear, apparel, and accessories. This is a hybrid role based out of our Boston office, reporting to the Category Director, Performance Run. This position maximizes product potential by creating assortment plans that account for consumer insight, pricing, and segmentation through operational excellence, leading a team while serving as the critical link between Product Marketing and the Sales Channel organization. This role ensures consumer insight and market trends from key wholesalers and the regional market are captured and delivered efficiently to inform the product development process. The ideal candidate brings strong merchandising expertise, proven people leadership skills, and the ability to make sharp, data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Leadership Responsibilities

• This position has people leadership responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop a team within the Performance Merchandising channel, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Serve as the Channel Merchandising Leader, setting account assortments to meet sales expectations.
• Build and maintain channel/account strategy, covering financial history and forecasts, account tactics, consumer insights, competitive information, SMU plans, and retailer information.
• Filter and build product assortment and pricing strategy within the responsible channel, including the channel/account SMU plan and initial pricing and margin guidance across the range.
• Forecast and assort the seasonal line to meet channel and company targets.
• Serve as a market expert, funneling buyer feedback, consumer trends, retail shifts, and whitespace opportunities to merchandising leadership.
• Present the seasonal range to the sales force and accounts during sales meetings and pre-lines.
• Build sales tools for the assigned channel and account.
• Adheres to all company policies and procedures
• Embodies and demonstrates company ethics and values
• Abides by all federal, state and local laws

How You'll Be Successful

• Ability to effectively motivate, engage and foster growth within direct reports.
• Ability to hold themselves and direct reports accountable to a high standard of performance and results.
• Strong understanding of the athletic marketplace and performance running industry, with a sharp sense of trends and development across the sport and lifestyle landscape.
• Exceptional merchandising skills, with a strong understanding of fashion and trend dynamics across markets.
• Analytical and process-oriented, comfortable making data-driven decisions using large data sets.
• Skilled in sales generation, strategic planning, and authentic customer service and communication.
• Ability to provide solutions to support business needs through creative problem-solving and innovation.
• Operates with curiosity and the ability to manage ambiguity, pushing through business challenges with a focus on continuous development.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks under strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong intercultural awareness, team orientation, and communication skills.
• Willing to travel throughout the US.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training, required
• 7-9 years experience in product management, merchandising, sales, or retail within the athletic footwear industry required
• 1-3 years experience managing direct reports or equivalent training and experience required
• Strong technical proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to manage large data sets, required
• Strong understanding of the athletic marketplace, and the performance running industry required
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required

SALARY / PAY RANGE:

$100,000 - $105,000

PAY TRANSPARENCY:

To encourage pay transparency, promote pay equity, and proactively address regulations, ASICS America Corporation will comply with all applicable state or local laws or regulations which require employers to provide pay or salary range information to job applicants and employees. A posted salary/pay range applies to the current job posting. Salary/pay offers may be based on key factors such as education and related experience.

ASICS CCPA Pre-Collection Notice for Job Applications:

We collect personal information (PI) from you in connection with your application for employment with ASICS America Corporation, including the following categories of PI: identifiers, personal records, professional or employment information, and inferences drawn from your PI. We collect your PI for our purposes, including performing services and operations related to your potential employment. For additional details or if you have questions, contact us at [e-mail].

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employee(s) assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employee(s) assigned to this job. ASICS America Corporation reserves the right at any time, with or without notice, to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities within your general skill set or capabilities. ASICS America Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.