Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Build a local category strategy and leading the team to execute product merchandizing plan, Go To Market plan to drive brand and business success within the framework set by Global Business Units (BUs).

Key Responsibilities:

Assist to drive & develop a 3–5-year category plan based on overall adidas BU process in collaboration with Global BU
Assist financial expectations set out in the category integrated business planning across all channels
Support to develop category initiatives to meet key commercial goals
Assist the development of business mid-long term division plan in alignment with global vision
Be the interface between Global Business Unit (BU) and market stakeholders
Collaborate with relevant cross functional teams to develop and execute plans
Own end to end (E2E) market strategy and execution from Integrated Business Planning, Commercial Input to in season trade and exit
Own quality delivery toward each GTM milestones
Own go to market planning excellence in compliance with targets for forecasting, pricing, profitability, range size, range flow, range adoption, Article Performance Review (APR) etc. including system, catalogue and master data maintenance
Define the category range by sales channels, by stores or trade zone where necessary, within guidelines or alignments
Assist to materialize business opportunities throughout the communication with Global BU, Channels, Wholesale accounts and any relevant external research
Own key franchise lifecycle and inventory level to ensure brand health
Perform category insights and analytics including market/consumer/competitor insights and sales analysis and leverage for planning
Own the input of local product and allocation demand to global
Support input to Creation Center Tokyo (CCT) creation from brief to ensure product offers to achieve the category financial target, delivery and sell through and exit
Assist cross category and functional specific initiatives
Present range internally and externally with sufficient sample availability
Participate to customer interaction in planning phase
Develop performance, and winning culture with fast action through organization’s people values, motivate team / direct reports in alignment with the market organization
Development culture
Drive employee engagement, leading by example.

KPI’s:

Category Net Sales (NS), Net Margin and Contribution
Sell-out all channels
Forecast & data accuracy, Drop rate
Net Promote Score (NPS)
Market share

Key Relationships:

Global BU
Creation center including local trading company
Brand Activation, Culture marketing, Sport marketing
Business development, GTM head office
Demand planning, SCM, Finance
Channels and External Wholesale partners

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to implement strategy
Strong presentation/communication, negotiation and influencing skills, especially with senior stakeholders within a global matrix organization.
Distinct track record of success and high-level range management knowledge
Strong cross-functional and stakeholder management experience across commercial functions (e.g. marketing, sales, etc.) and support functions (finance preferred), as well as different organizational levels (Global, Market, etc.)
Strong industry knowledge, across divisions—footwear, apparel and accessories.
Expert understanding of markets’ consumers, accounts, economic environment and commercial needs
Ability to Manage, Coach and Develop People
Results Oriented Mindset
Strong team player with high level of integrity & attention to detail
Pro-active, collaborative and positive attitude even in changing environments
Strong data analysis skills and ability to translate and articulate data results into clear business actions.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

1~2 years of experience in range management/product required.

University degree in Business or equivalent professional experience, ideally in Sales and/or Marketing, MBA preferred
Sporting goods industry experience required
Fluent in Japanese and Intermediate in English
Has substantial experience working with local customers and international stakeholders
Intermediate Business Acumen
Strong PC Skills including Outlook, Word, Excel (Pivot), Powerpoint, etc
Passion for sports and belief that through sports we have the power to change lives

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.

adidas Group

Assistant Manager Category Management Accessories, BU Sportswear & Training, Brand adidas