Manager Category - (m/f/d) - Sportswear Footwear - Europe

Manager Category – (m/f/d) – Sportswear Footwear – Europe

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION

• Supports the Director Business Unit and Senior Manager Category in executing the Europe short and medium-term objectives for the respective category, specifically responsible for delivering across all KPIs.
• Implements global strategies in a locally relevant way for Europe, considering different consumer needs and distribution channels.
• Supports in influencing the development of global strategies by providing clear and relevant commercial input regarding consumer needs, market particularities, and channel requirements.
• Collaborates regularly with global counterparts to identify market opportunities and maximize net sales and profitability within global and Europe strategic parameters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for range selection and alignment within the parameters set by the Europe CTC Range Architecture team to meet KPIs.
• Manages all aspects of category management, including segmentation, to meet KPIs such as efficiency, productivity, overlap, top line, and margin.
• Holds accountability for pricing of the range, including harmonization plans across Europe to meet KPIs.
• Supports global and country sell-ins to retailers and assets as required.
• Contributes to global sell-in tools for the category and creates augmented tools with Category Brand Communications where necessary.
• Provides commercial input into global processes and ensures their implementation across countries.
• Manages KPI reporting for the category.
• Works with the BU Analyst on scenario analysis related to the category.
• Participates in the seasonal, annual, and SBP planning for the category.
• Understands the European retail environment, including distribution, market share, competitor ranges, and pricing strategies.
• Supports major product launches and presentations, providing sales support for effective sell-in processes.
• Establishes a framework for team performance management, coaching, and development of junior team members.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Global BU (PM & Merch)
• AKA CTC, DTC assortment and Cluster CTC Managers
• Europe Demand Planning
• Europe BU Leadership (VP & Director)
• Europe BU Brand Communication
• Europe Finance

KPIs

• Standard Margin
• Category Market Share in top 5 markets, category & range efficiency, especially for global range components

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• High professional maturity
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to influence and make fact-based decisions
• Strong analytical skills
• Structured, organized, process-oriented
• Market experience in sport and/or fashion/lifestyle categories
• Consumer-focused with product and range experience, balancing brand and commercial needs
• Experience in category management, merchandising, or ranging
• Strong business acumen and cross-market perspective
• Attention to detail in analysis
• Effective team player, capable of working under pressure
• Organizational skills
• Flexibility to travel internationally
• Intermediate to advanced MS Office skills
• Additional language skills are advantageous

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in business, preferably with marketing and sales focus, or equivalent professional experience
• At least 3 years of merchandising, cross-functional marketing, or sales experience
• Experience in a European market is required

We foster a culture of winning at adidas, emphasizing mental strength, behaviors such as courage, ownership, innovation, team play, integrity, and respect. adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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