Principal Footwear Merchandiser, Americas

Brooks Sports Inc; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 134,295 - 214,894; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Five weeks paid time off

Fitness discounts

Job summary

Brooks Sports Inc in Seattle is seeking a Principal Footwear Merchandiser to lead the North America team and optimize product assortment strategy. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years' experience in the footwear industry, especially with running brands, and will be responsible for driving business metrics and making strategic decisions in merchandising.

This position offers a salary range of $134,295 – $214,894, requiring 20% travel and demanding collaborative leadership skills to effectively manage product strategies and market dynamics.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10+ years’ experience in footwear products.
• At least 2 years with a running footwear brand.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the North America Merchandising team.
• Develop strategic business plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Creative thinking

Communication skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or related field

Job description

The Mission of the Global Footwear Merchandising team is to optimize the product mix and go to market strategy with the focus on delivering the right product at the right time across the globe. They have the responsibility of curating a global product assortment based on runner data, seasonal trends, use of color application, and MRAs (Merchandising Runner Assortments) that broaden consumer reach and maximize article efficiency and regional alignment to meet the expectations of the business.

The Principal Footwear Merchandiser, Americas, plays a critical role in leading the North America Merchandising team to react to in-season performance while realizing the 1–3-year impact of strategic growth. As an expert in merchandising and with a deep understanding of footwear business and the market landscape, you will advise and support the Director of Footwear Merchandising, Americas, in planning and development of seasonal strategy, color assortments, and provide thought leadership with Footwear Merchandising peers. You will build operational efficiencies, consistencies, and process improvements for Category and Strategic Initiatives. This position is a vital contributor to the footwear vision, strategy, seasonal assortments, and planning out 3 to 5 years to meet the needs and wants of the marketplace, in line with Brand strategy and Business goals, in concert with PLM, the Brand, and Sales/Key Markets globally.

The Principal Footwear Merchandiser, Americas, is a key product person responsible for developing strategic business plans and driving key company financial metrics, including revenue and margin. You are the expert “eyes and ears” of the competition as it pertains to the market, the runner, and the customer, using both qualitative and quantitative data to inform merchandising decisions.

This position requires 20% travel.

MERCHANDISING STRATEGY

• Play an integral role in developing the regional five-year model, including article and SKU counts, and ensuring timely updates at key milestones.
• Provide strategic insights and expertise to guide business‑critical assortment decisions across regions.
• Identify and contribute to the formulation of strategies for new regional business opportunities—determining target markets, optimal products, and approaches to achieve success.

MERCHANDISING OPERATIONS

• Play a critical role in defining the overarching goals for the Americas Merchandising team by enhancing and optimizing processes that integrate both qualitative and quantitative inputs, fostering market readiness, and improving the effectiveness of decision‑making.
• Present products and narratives while gathering essential feedback for product triads during prelines.
• Communicate product, brand stories, and assortments to key internal stakeholders (sales and marketing) to secure buy‑in and alignment for both Inline and MRA items.
• Engage with the Director of Footwear Merchandising, Americas, and participate in Regional Footwear Strategic Planning to ensure alignment with Footwear Management on bi‑annual strategic plans. Influence the regional preline strategy by continuously innovating and evolving in response to brand and business needs.
• Operate as a critical partner to Footwear Merchandising management to ensure deliverables are completed efficiently at key milestones.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL INFLUENCE & COLLABORATION

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams within the footwear department to facilitate consensus‑building, drive results, and effectively resolve conflicts.
• Act as a valuable resource to project teams through collaboration with functional managers and subject‑matter experts.
• Influence brand initiatives across functions to support Footwear Merchandising leadership in gaining support for priority projects.
• Manage collaboration processes with the color team to develop regional seasonal assortments.
• Represent the Americas in global assortment planning, advocating for the perspectives of consumers, retailers, and internal teams.
• Collaborate with footwear teams in Asia and EMEA on critical projects.
• Lead high‑level cross‑functional project teams, identifying strategic opportunities for incremental business growth.
• Serve as a mentor by sharing expertise and insights with the Merchandising team and the broader Footwear organization.

MERCHANDISING LEADERSHIP & EXPERTISE

• Provide mentorship on strategy and execution within Footwear Merchandising and across Footwear operations.
• Offer expertise on owned projects at calibration meetings and significant milestones.
• Exemplify leadership and serve as a subject‑matter expert in frequent interactions with inline triads and SMEs.
• Provide product expertise for Sales and Marketing for presentations and videos.
• May supervise up to one direct report, overseeing goal setting, performance reviews, hiring decisions, team culture, and supporting career development to enhance job satisfaction and retention.
• Demonstrate Brooks values in all professional interactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field required.
• Minimum 10+ years’ prior experience working with footwear products (wholesale or retail) and at least 2 years of experience with a running footwear brand in a related field.
• Experience working with SRA and Comfort Retailers.
• Creative thinker with the ability to effectively communicate and convey ideas to design, development, color, and trend.
• Proven ability to lead in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.
• Proven ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate to achieve progress toward goals.
• Results‑oriented person with the ability to balance numerous tasks and utilize all available resources.
• Strong working knowledge of the footwear product merchandising process, retail environment, and consumer buying habits.
• Strong Business orientation and analytical skills in managing SKU efficiency, product mix, and profitability.
• Strong ability to work professionally and efficiently within the team and across departments, and connect different functions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills – skilled presenter, great communication ability.
• Passion for the running enthusiast and active lifestyle.
• Travel 20% (Domestic).

Compensation

The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $134,295 – $214,894 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.
• Paid Time Off – five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, and paid sick and parental leave.
• Bonus – In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
• Perks – product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.
• Location – You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two‑spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non‑merit based factors.