Requirements:

• 3 to 4 years of experience in commercial, planning, or product areas.
• Strong knowledge of the local market, trends, and competition.
• Sales analysis and forecasting skills.
• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• Advanced English proficiency.

You will be responsible for developing and following up on the Go to Market process for Apparel & Accessories collections, ensuring the achievement of seasonal buying, sales, and margin plans aligned with PUMA’s global, regional, and local strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define seasonal product collections, including pricing, margins, launch dates, and segmentation by channel.
• Analyze market data (sell-out, competition, trends) to build a commercial collection and identify new business opportunities.
• Evaluate internal KPIs by channel and customer to make strategic decisions by business unit.
• Forecast seasonal strategies to guide Wholesale and Retail channels on buying decisions.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Commercial teams to implement initiatives from the local calendar (LSEC).
• Review commercial buying proposals to ensure alignment with seasonal plans.
• Develop locally relevant Apparel products based on business opportunities, margin analysis, and lead times.

• At least two years experience in a similar or related role within fashion retail.

• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and Power Point.

• Strong communication and presentation skills

• Understanding of trends and market insights

• A multitasker that finds joy in both the creative and admin side whilst being deadline driven.

This will allow you to perform in the role.

• Create and forecast seasonal product assortments leveraging market knowledge with competitive and market related pricing

• Partner with sales and marketing teams to ensure seasonal plans align with company goals and initiatives

• Present seasonal plans and product assortments to various internal and external partners.

• Analysis of product, consumer trends, pricing, and competitor information at regular intervals and utilise this knowledge to make informed decisions

• Global strategy alignment with locally relevant season product assortment

Our Merchandise Department is looking for a detail orientated, media savvy and data driven Junior Category Manager who wants to grow in our environment, and be part of the fast paced world of Sports Fashion. You will be providing the South African consumer with the hottest sport fashion trends along with the Teamsport and Motorsport partners.

You will love fashion as much as you do admin and number crunching, and you will combine these loves with your ability to network at key events and interact with customers.

If this excites you and you have had at least two years experience in a similar role then this for you, where you can focus on Teamsport and Motorsport within our Merchandise Department.

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Merchandising or similar field
• 0-2 years’ experience in merchandising, integrated retail, or product creation related role
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications including PowerPoint, Word, Excel; experience with Power BI a plus
• Experience in a cross functional work environment, project management or matrix organization
• Effective communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate goals and objectives
• Detail orientation and accuracy in data inputs and document updates
• Thrives in a dynamic environment, proactively identifying opportunities and owning tasks to support merchandising goals

• Assist the Teamhead/Lead with Line Plan updates, seasonal Visual Line Plan creation and systems maintenance for the Business Unit inclusive of adds, drops, cancels, CAD changes, pricing adjustments and intro date shifts
• Own the seasonal product Ranging process
• Own sample ordering for pre-line meetings, sales meetings and sales reps adhering to seasonal sample targets and KPIs

• Assist Merchandising team in the education of the regional sales team on seasonal merchandising strategies and products
• Participate in the pre-line process to validate key concepts, ensure range coverage and identify critical gaps
• Assist in go-to-market activities for seasonal sell-in meetings inclusive of product set up and presentation support
• Build relationships with key buyers to gain account insights, identify opportunities and gain product feedback
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to align on seasonal marketing strategies and product activations

• Assist in seasonal forecast entry and administration

• Perform ongoing sell-through analysis for categories, channels, and key accounts to stay ahead of market needs
• Create and maintain competitive brand matrices

• 6-8 years of experience in category management, product marketing, merchandising, or sales within the sportswear or footwear industry.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving business growth.
• Deep understanding of the performance footwear landscape, especially in running and training.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills; able to work cross-functionally and influence without authority.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to translate insights into actionable strategy.

• Mandatory: Candidate must be an active runner with a demonstrated passion for the sport (e.g., regular marathon participant, running club member, etc.).
• Experience working with or engaging athlete communities will be an added advantage.

• Category Ownership: Lead the end-to-end management of the Running & Training footwear category from product selection to pricing, forecasting, and lifecycle management.
• Market Analysis: Conduct regular analysis of market trends, consumer preferences, competitor activity, and sell-through to inform strategy and product positioning.
• Product Strategy: Work closely with global and local team sourcing and merchandising to build a compelling product assortment that meets consumer needs.
• Go-to-Market Execution: Collaborate with marketing, sales, and retail to execute strong GTM plans, campaigns, and in-store activations that drive consumer engagement and sales.
• Sales Growth: Define and track KPIs to ensure category targets are achieved across all channels (retail, e-commerce, wholesale).
• Consumer Insight: Leverage internal and external data, plus on-ground feedback, to constantly refine the offering.

• Net Sale
• Gross Profit
• Inventory Turnover
• Sell thru
• Cost Negotiation
• Project management

• Internal: Global BU & GTM Teams, Merchandising & planning, RCC, Sales, Sales Ops & SCM, Sourcing, Finance, Marketing & Demand
• External: Customers and Sourcing vendors

• Education : Bachelor degree in business/Merchandising studies is preferred.
• Professional :
  - Functional: Min 10 years in retail merchandising or wholesale merchandising function
  - Industry: sports-lifestyle business
  - Leadership: People management experience is required. 
• IT Skills : Sufficient in manipulating Microsoft Excel and Power Point, basic knowledge of ERP
• Language Skills : English (Business Level) / Local Language (Business Level)
• Competencies : Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving / Convincing Others / Creativity & Innovation / Teamwork
• Functional Skills : Analytical Skills to reflect key findings of result to future planning / Networking and Communication skills to work cross-functionally 

Execute the Country Merchandise function for footwear category, in order to achieve the desired Divisional and Business Unit mix set by Country Merchandising Director in order to secure a solid / safe future platform for the Longevity and Desirability of the Brand in their function and also deliver the Country Financial plan, while supporting Global Brand strategy leading to maximum sell-through result. Position is Go-to-Market focused in terms of execution and planning.

• [Task 1] : Merchandising Process: in line with Global product directives, execute the Country product assortment in order to achieve the seasonal KPI’s. Accountable for local assortment execution and providing a Country relevant Divisional/Business Unit assortment. (30%)
• [Task 2] : Market information input: Provide timely market feedback of own brand and competitions including local price information to global merchandising function with given template and additional materials as well as product samples if necessary. (20%)
• [Task 3] : Delivering KPIs: execute a Local Divisional Merchandising plan to deliver against agreed Country KPIs and Divisional objectives. (20%)
• [Task 4] : Cross-Functional / Cross-Divisional Alignment: collaborate with Country Sales- Retail- and Marketing teams to coordinate activities against agreed and aligned Financial targets or other Country relevant Strategic goals. Guide and support Strategic and Key Account implementation in the Country in order to achieve maximum sellthrough result and receive desired Divisional and Product mix. (20%)
• [Task 5] : Product presentations: occasionally support Sales management with presentations for selected Strategic accounts and Trade Shows. (10%)

• Proven experience in sporting goods industry (ideally in sales, merchandising or DTC function) with further proven experience leadership experience.
• Educated to degree level in business studies and distinctive analytical skills
• Excellent intuitive understanding of the sporting goods business, the competitive environment and future trends in the industry.
• Needs strong process management, communication & influencing skills
• Visioning, Proactive/Entrepreneurship, Organisational awareness, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, Strong team player, presentation skills, business analytics and quantitative skills, customer knowledge and consumer relevance.
• The role requires UK and overseas travel.

Please note that this role will start in January 2026.

The Director Merchandising UK&I leads the merchandising strategy, optimizes product mix, and drives sales to achieve financial targets. This role involves collaborating with key stakeholders, managing product assortments, and providing market insights to inform future brand strategies.

Merchandise Strategy / Business Visioning.

• Develop short/mid-term sustainable growth plans in line with global/regional product directives, collaborating with key Wholesale and Retail stakeholders to develop and optimize the Area product assortment X-divisionally.
• Lead and drive the process and overall sign off for delivering the optimum Area assortment to market to drive sell-through and reach financial targets.
• Reviews area assortments to optimize product efficiency and market opportunity while maximizing brand experience across categories, channels & accounts.
• Use consumer and geographical insight to set targets and sign off range by Division/ area  & DC channel based on Sales Plan - Brand Direction - Product Flow- Pricing strategy.
• Influence and execute global tools and processes to streamline best business practice.
• Utilise internal systems to review previous season PO’s, sales and performance, and provide the Merch Team with clear guidance on future season key metrics.

Delivering KPIs

• Develop and drive an Area Merchandising plan to deliver against agreed Area KPIs and objectives, while guiding local implementation in the area.
• Manage and deliver accurate forecasting within deadlines and targets.
• Oversee inventory management to ensure forecasts and buy plans are adjusted as necessary and aligned to company goals

X-Functional / X-Divisional Alignment

• Collaborate with area functional heads, to coordinate activities against agreed and aligned financial targets and other global, regional and area strategic goals.
• Work with counterparts from other areas to ensure X-Divisional alignment within the region.

Influence Future Product

• Analyze, interpret and consolidate consumer insights of area.
• Drive collaboration with global / regional BU, RCC & GTM so UKI insights and market needs are front of mind and incorporated into global range planning.
• Take ownership of communicating and adherence of Corporate Calendar key milestones.
• Provide consumer, competitive and distribution qualitative and quantitative feedback as input to future brand strategies.
• Ensure the UKI Merch Team have excellent product, market and competitor knowledge through regular store visits and key strategic account meeting participation

Team Development

• Create the future by building a team of experts and which is the go-to for all aspects of UKI (and international as relevant) product and consumer trends.
• Inspire- Motivate- Educate the Area Merchandising Organizations in developing a team which benchmarks industry standards and skillsets.
• Develop Succession Planning discipline to maintain an all-time effectiveness of the Merchandising organization.
• Contribute to Regional Merchandising and General Management to continuously develop a sustainable Merchandising organization model that integrates with Corporate Strategies.

バッググラウンド・必須スキル

• カジュアル カテゴリー マーチャンダイジング業務経験（スポーツ業界経験尚可）
• エクセルとパワーポイントの高いスキル
• コミュニケーションとプレゼンテーショスキル
• 英語 TOEIC600点程度(読み書きがある程度できるレベル且つ今後学習意欲のある方、ビジネスレベル尚可)
•  日本語(ネイティブレベル)
• クリティカルシンキング
• 問題解決能力
• 結果志向

業務内容

職務の基本的な業務内容が記述されていますが、限定的ではない事を予めご理解ください。

担当カテゴリー : PRIME SELECT FOOTWEAR & APPAREL

（カジュアルカテゴリー FOOTWEAR & APPAREL）

グローバルの方針をベースとしたローカル戦略のプランニング、実行および検証

Financial targetを達成すべく　グローバルから毎シーズン、ダウンロードされる戦略をベースとしつつ、日本のマーケット状況に合わせたローカルの戦略を営業、Retail、マーケティング、スポーツマーケティングと連携しながらプランニング、実行する。セルスルーを重視し、その結果検証に基づき、次のアクションにクイックに繋げていく。営業やリテールと密接に連携して、常にバランスの取れた商品ラインナップと、ビジネスに貢献する商品を供給する。

①           プロダクトマーチャンダイジング

• Global Inline：グローバルオファーをベースとしてマーケットに適切なアソートメントを作成。アカウントエクスクルーシブも戦略的に設定。
• NRP：ローカルニーズに特化した戦略的な商品をRCCと協業して開発を行う。
• SMU：アカウント戦略、カテゴリー戦略に基づき、アカウント限定プロダクトとして、NRP同様にRCCへのブリーフィングにて開発を行う。

②           数字管理

• 上代設定、マージン管理：市場価格を踏まえ適切なマージンが確保できる戦略的なプライシングを実施。
• Order Forecast：カテゴリーのバジェットを達成するために必要な単品別の数量プランを策定。
• PO　Review：営業、リテールからのオーダー内容をレビューし、次シーズンへのMD、開発に反映。
• ST Review：フォーカスプロダクトを中心としてセルスルー状況をレビューし、結果に基づきアクションを実施。

③           グローバルGTM プロセス

各ミーティングに参加しローカルマーケット情報を元にグローバルレンジに対する適切なフィードバックおよびリクエストを行う。

• Merch Review Mtg：グローバルよりダウンロードされるコンセプト、デザインの方向性に対しての日本としてのフィードバック、リクエストを実施。
• Line Freeze Mtg：Merch Review Mtgに基づいてグローバルよりダウンロードされる最終アソートメントに対してのフィードバックを実施。また最終のプロセスとして商品リクエストも実施。
• Final Business Pack：マーケティングプランも含めたグローバルの最終戦略を確認

④           ローカルGTM プロセス

• Kick Off Mtg：グローバルのLine Freeze Mtgのタイミングにて日本におけるシーズナルプランニングをキックオフ。グローバルの情報をベースに、日本としてのトップラインの戦略を策定し上長の承認を得る。
• Closs functional team：MD、営業、リテール、マーケティングの異なる部署がクロスファンクションとして所属するチームに商品戦略をシェアしカテゴリー戦略をチームとしてまとめる。
• GTM Mtg：カテゴリーごとにフォーカスするプロダクト、ディストリビューション、マーケティングに関する戦略をシェア。営業、リテールがSales FCSTをプランする情報源となる。
• 商談会/ Business Mtg：ミーティングに向けたサンプルセッティング、展示会演出など各種セールスのサポート。

⑤           キーアカウントビジネスサポート

• 商談同行：プロダクトに関する商談時において営業のサポートとしてアカウントと直接のコミュニケーションを実施。
• SMU開発：シーズナルプランニングのシェアと共に戦略的なSMU開発をアカウントと共に開発。
• Business Mtg：Key accountとのBusiness Mtgへの参加

⑥           商品情報管理

• Master Line List：カテゴリーごとの商品マスターとなるリストの管理。
• サンプル管理：サンプルのオーダー, サンプル修正の案内。
• デジタルカタログ：カタログ情報の作成、修正。
• WECS：商品情報システムへの商品コメント作成。
• 商品問い合わせ対応：アカウント、ユーザーからの問い合わせに基づいた、社内、グローバルへの確認。

• Bachelor’s degree or above.
• Previous branded retail experience preferred (ideally in sporting goods industry in Thailand).
• Experience in working with a sports/fashion branded environment
• Knowledge and experience with merchandising systems is preferable
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience is preferred.
• Excellent in MS Excel & Powerpoint.
• SAP knowledge Experience in working with merchandising system
• Fluently in English

Country Merch will be responsible for planning and managing country product range to deliver the country’s business goals and objectives, based on SEA Category Merchandising/local team’s strategy and guideline.He/she will be closely engaged with Stakeholders from cross functions – Wholesale/DTC channels and marketing team to achieve the country’s business objectives through differentiated product offerings for maximum sell-thru and brand desirability. This will include providing customer centric product information, business trend/competitors’ analysis and differentiation strategy and tactics with Sell Thru data support to produce the most competitive country level product assortment.

Task 1: Assortment Planning & Management

• Redefine country business priorities based on the market relevancy and marketing investment, in line with PUMA SEA’s overall growth strategy.
• Build Thailand range with competitive pricing – responsible for delivering the target margin and meet SKU efficiency.
• Drive differentiation among key customers across all the Distribution Channels
• Provide seasonal analysis based on GTM timeline to provide puma products and competitors market insights.
• Manage country level GTM timeline

Task 2: Country GTM Alignment

• Proactively engage with internal cross function teams and external customers to provide advanced level of product information, including customer facing during business review and tradeshow, key customer analysis, competitor overview, sales tools (preparing digital catalog  and sell-in decks) and tradeshow set-up.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and VM teams to complete the WS product launch plan then transfer the information to the Sales team to achieve the WS goals (including marketing activity execution and various product activation).
• Work closely with product operations team and monitor the delivery schedule on floor to align with marketing grid and product ISD launches.
• Monitor closely with operations to ensure on time delivery and alert related parties in case of late arrival of key initiatives products.

Task 3: Country/Customer Specific Product Development

• Propose, plan and execute country/customer specific products to gain market share/mind share within key distribution. Exclusive, SMU, collabs and any gap fillers are included.

Task 4: Merchandising Operations:

• Maintain Product Master line list with up-to-date data.
• Review and manage local pricing (inline and non-inline), ISD and order windows, together with necessary functions within the country
• Prepare and conduct national sales meetings, key accounts pre-line meeting and trade shows as per GTM timeline.
• Own and execute day-to-day merchandising operations
• Prepare and conduct national sales meetings, key accounts pre-line meeting and trade shows as per GTM timeline.
• Own and execute day-to-day merchandising operations.

Education:

• Preferably Bachelor’s degree in Business

• Relevant product management experience with top tier international sports or lifestyle brand and/or experience as footwear, apparel or accessories buyer

• Genuine interest in and liking for football and working with football clubs and teams

• Working experience in the Middle East would be a distinct advantage, but not necessarily a must

Capabilities:         

• Ability to work alongside other functions

• General knowledge of go-to-market processes

• General knowledge of retail environment

• Strong analytical skills

• Technical product knowledge

• Assortment Planning knowledge

• Ability to convincingly present category knowledge using PowerPoint and spreadsheet software tools;

• Fluency in the English language (speaking, reading, writing) at business level (knowledge of Arabic language is not required)

• Interested in working in a truly multicultural environment

• Readiness and ability to travel (notably Middle East (and neighboring countries), Europe)

• Execute the global and regional merchandising strategy

• Define the GCC Teamsport, Motorsport, and Basketball collection according to corporate / regional targets and in line with the regional / global business strategy

• Manage all merchandise / product related matters pertaining to football clubs and teams (as well as for other teamsports) including, but not limited to, kits customization

• Work alongside Sports Marketing and Teamsport Sales Manager in managing Clubs from Merch perspective

• Market research and Competitor Analysis

• Define prices at article level

• Propose forecasts based on historical data, trend analysis and other approaches

• Analyze sales data, account buying trends and forecasting future sales volumes

• Support wholesale business planning and go-to market process

• Finalize buying plans for the GCC

• Regular reporting as per requirements / guidelines

• Education: Bachelor degree
• Professional: Minimum 4~6 years of experience in sport and lifestyle with footwear or apparel product line building and planning experience. (performance categories preferred)
• IT Skills: Highly advanced MS Office Skills (Excel, Powerpoint)​
• Language Skills: Business English fluent
• Competencies: Proactive, Sense of Trend, Keen eyes on contemporary market trend and fashion industry, Teamwork, Communication Skills
• Functional Skills: ​Product Line building and planning, Distribution channel comprehensive

• [SUMMARY] This role leads the end-to-end merchandising strategy for Teamsports (Football and Hoops (Basketball)) categories in Korea, driving both performance credibility and commercial growth. The position demands a deep understanding of sport-specific consumer behavior, market dynamics, and PUMA’s global brand direction, with a focus on channel-specific GTM execution, franchise building, and category storytelling / Teamsports merchandiser is expected to balance athlete-performance-led assortment planning with sell-through-oriented product lifecycle management, while also fostering cross-category synergy between performance and lifestyle expressions. This role is pivotal in solidifying PUMA’s positioning as a competitive player in Korea teamsports market
• [Task 1] Category Ownership & GTM Planning: Own the end-to-end go-to-market process for Football and Hoops — from range adoption, local product strategy, and pricing setup to execution readiness and in-season management — ensuring alignment with global BU direction and local needs
• [Task 2] Consumer & Channel-Specific Range Strategy: Build assortments based on distinct consumer segments, such as elite athletes, semi-pros, and street-level players, while adapting strategies across wholesale, DTC, and team channels to deliver functional and commercially viable GTM solutions
• [Task 3] Franchise & Lifecycle Management: Manage the full lifecycle of global and local franchises (e.g., FUTURE, ULTRA, MB, All-Pro Nitro), optimizing SKU productivity, pricing integrity, and carry-over efficiency, while ensuring timely transitions and campaign readiness
• [Task 4] Sport Moment Activation & Storytelling: Align seasonal drops and storytelling with key moments such as major tournaments, league seasons, athlete partnerships, and local sport culture events to build energy and brand presence in both performance and lifestyle markets
• [Task 5] Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis: Conduct regular market assessments, including competitor benchmarking, pricing reviews, and channel performance analysis to sharpen category strategy and ensure differentiation
• [Task 6] Cross-BU Collaboration & Business Reporting: Collaborate with Sportstyle, sales, and marketing teams to amplify relevant crossover stories, while owning category-level reporting on sell-through, stock health, and seasonal performance to drive data-backed decision-making