Senior Manager Category Management: Sport + Partnerships - EM South

Adidas; Cape Town; Vor Ort; ZAR 1.000.000 - 1.400.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Adidas in South Africa seeks a senior Partnership Product Lead for Team Sport to define and steer the partnership product strategy across football, motorsport, basketball and golf in EMS South. You will guide end-to-end product processes, manage stakeholders, and drive market-leading ranges aligned with local consumer needs and global brand goals.

You will lead seasonal analyses, optimize pricing and product mix, and support brand activations while mentoring a team.

Qualifikationen

• Merchandising and assortment planning experience in the sport/retail sector.
• Experience with product development for sports teams.
• Experience managing partners and stakeholders.
• Strong presentation and analytical skills.

Aufgaben

• Define the partnership product strategy for all Team Sport partners.
• Guide the full partnership product process including range building, range selection, range extension and local badging.
• Manage external and internal stakeholders to ensure product development deadlines are met.
• Develop and implement the Team Sport category product strategy for EMS to lead in key markets.
• Collaborate with direct reports to deliver compelling range/concept selection for EMS balancing local, global and commercial needs.
• Deliver net sales and profitability by managing pricing, margin, and product mix across markets.
• Lead seasonal analysis of the marketplace to understand trends, competitor assortments and pricing.
• Drive cluster range enhancements including product development to meet local needs.
• Support seasonal Brand Activations with BA/Omni teams and sports marketing support.
• Lead, coach and develop direct reports.

Kenntnisse

Merchandising

Category management

Assortment planning

Retail experience

Product development

Partner management

Presentation & communication

Numerical & analytical skills

MS Office (Excel & PowerPoint)

Team collaboration under pressure

Ausbildung

University degree in Marketing/Business/Merchandising

Fluent in English

Tools

MS Office

Jobbeschreibung

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

Strategic guidance and input on Team Sport (Football, Motorsport, Basketball, Golf) to drive market share gains and deliver absolute sport credibility across all countries in EM South

Strategic guidance and input on Sport Partnerships + Properties to maximize the commercial and brand opportunity for adidas and the partner

Key Responsibilities:

• Define the partnership product strategy for all Team Sport partners
• Guide the full partnership product process which includes range building, range selection, range extension and local badging
• Manage external and internal stakeholders to ensure all product development deadlines are met
• Develop and implement the Team Sport category product strategy for EMS to deliver market leadership across all key categories
• Work closely with direct reports to deliver a compelling range/concept selection for EMS by balancing local consumer; global brand; and commercial considerations
• Deliver net sales and profitability (GIM) by managing pricing, margin, and the product mix across all key markets
• Lead the seasonal analysis of the full marketplace to understand trends, competitor product assortments and pricing.
• Proactively drive cluster range enhancements (including product development) that meet local needs and reflect differentiation in marketplace where required.
• Support seasonal Brand Activations by aligning with BA/Omni team on Marketing plans; communication tools; activation tools; and by providing sports marketing support to ensure our partners get access to the best of adidas.
• Lead, coach and develop direct reports

Key Relationships:

• Director CTC & Mops EM South
• EMS Category Management Team.
• Cluster Demand Planning team
• EMS commercial channel Teams (DTC, Ecom, WHS)
• EM + Global BU’s

KPIs:

• Net Sales and GIM%
• Product development milestones met
• Partner Product KPI’s
• Range efficiency targets; range size and efficiency (incl. overlap)
• Market Share

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Merchandising, category management/planning, assortment planning and/or retail experience, with a distinct track record of success within the Sport Industry
• Knowledge of Sport industry within South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria (experience in Football beneficial)
• Product development for sport teams essential
• Experience managing partners essential
• Exposure to other disciplines preferable, e.g. sports marketing, brand communication, retail or sales experience
• Strong presentation/communications and influencing skills
• Strong numerical / analytical skills
• Intermediate to advanced skills in MS Office – Excel and PowerPoint key
• Structured, organized and process orientated
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment under pressure
• Industry: Preferably in retail
• Exposure: Sport

Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree (Marketing/Business/Merchandising)
• A minimum of 10+ years equivalent professional experience
• Experience working within a Global Sport Brand (Football preferred)
• People Leadership experience for a minimum of 5 years
• Fluent in English