On Lead - Product Merchandising (6-Month Contract)

On; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Lead - Product Merchant, Footwear, to curate consumer-centric footwear assortments and translate insights into growth strategies across wholesale and DTC channels. Reporting to the Head of Merchandising, Footwear, you will influence regional product success through cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decisions, and end-to-end assortment ownership.

Typical cash compensation range for this position includes base plus bonus and equity: $130,000-$160,000, with actual packages

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in merchandising or product management within the footwear, activewear, premium sportswear, and fashion industry.
• Minimum of 3 years of footwear experience.
• Proven track record of executing end-to-end assortment strategies that deliver both brand impact and commercial results.
• Strong analytical expertise with the ability to synthesize marketplace data into clear product recommendations.
• Excellent communication and relational skills, with experience collaborating and influencing within a global-local matrix organization.
• Deep understanding of the footwear landscape, including consumer behavior, trend forecasting, and competitive positioning across multiple channels.

Responsibilities

• Curate and communicate seasonal footwear assortments that balance brand vision with regional commercial needs and consumer trends.
• Build and maintain cross-functional relationships with global product teams and regional commercial partners to ensure alignment on strategy and execution.
• Analyze business data and consumer marketplace trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize product lifecycle performance.
• Drive the development of channel-specific assortment plans that support differentiation across wholesale and DTC environments.
• Partner with demand planning and sales planning teams to ensure seasonal forecasts and inventory levels align with regional revenue targets.
• Present strategic product directions to key stakeholders, utilizing retail and merchandising acumen to inform decision-making.
• Monitor and report on category KPIs including sell-through, sales comp and margin performance in-season as well as providing a end of season hindsight recap- both initiatives leveraged to inform go-forward seasonal strategies as well as identify risks and opportunities.

Skills

Merchandising

Product management

Footwear experience

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Job description

In Short

As the Lead - Product Merchant, Footwear, you will curate consumer-centric and trend-right product assortments that support the strategic direction for the footwear category. You will translate marketplace insights into actionable growth strategies, ensuring On’s footwear offering reflects brand values and captures commercial opportunities. Reporting to the Head of Merchandising, Footwear on the Merchandising team, you will navigate a global-local matrix to deliver premium execution and influence regional product success. While this is a lead-level role with strategic ownership across the footwear function, it focuses on high-impact contribution and cross-functional collaboration rather than direct people management.

Your Mission

• Curate and communicate seasonal footwear assortments that balance brand vision with regional commercial needs and consumer trends
• Build and maintain critical cross-functional relationships with global product teams and regional commercial partners to ensure alignment on strategy and execution
• Analyze business data and consumer marketplace trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize product lifecycle performance
• Drive the development of channel-specific assortment plans that support differentiation across wholesale and DTC environments
• Partner with demand planning and sales planning teams to ensure seasonal forecasts and inventory levels align with regional revenue targets
• Present strategic product directions to key stakeholders, utilizing retail and merchandising acumen to inform decision-making
• Monitor and report on category KPIs including sell-through, sales comp and margin performance in-season as well as providing a end of season hindsight recap- both initiatives leveraged to inform go-forward seasonal strategies as well as identify risks and opportunities

Your Story

• You bring 6+ years of experience in merchandising or product management within the footwear, activewear, premium sportswear, and fashion industry. Minimum of 3 years of footwear experience
• Proven track record of executing end-to-end assortment strategies that deliver both brand impact and commercial results in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical expertise with the ability to synthesize marketplace data into clear product recommendations
• Excellent communication and relational skills, with experience collaborating and influencing within a global-local matrix organization. Proven ability to analyze and present data to support product strategies and to support cross functional conversations
• Deep understanding of the footwear landscape, including consumer behavior, trend forecasting, and competitive positioning across multiple channels

Your Team

You will join the Americas Merchandising team, acting as trusted advisors in setting the vision and direction for product for the region. The team acts as a bridge between our Global Product/Commercial teams and regional business leaders. Our cross-functional interaction is driven by a market-relevant, consumer-focused mindset touching on all departments inside our organization to set a commercial plan and identify profitable growth and act on sales opportunities and actions together. Our Americas team is growing; help us drive that journey.

What We Offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically - to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose. Typical cash compensation range for this position inclusive of base + bonus + equity: $130,000-$160,000. Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate including experience, industry knowledge, qualifications, skill set, and location.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination. We are requesting that you provide sensitive demographic information such as gender identity and race/ethnicity to help us ensure that we are creating equitable and fair experiences for all potential future team members. You are not required to provide this demographic information and this information will in no way impact your eligibility for hire.