Head of Merchandising, Footwear

On • Portland, OR

8d

About The Position

As the Head of Merchandising, Footwear, you will chart the strategic course for the footwear category across the Americas, ensuring product assortments align seamlessly with On’s premium brand vision and regional commercial needs. Reporting to the Director of Merchandising, AMER on the Americas Merchandising team, you will simplify regional complexity to drive a cohesive omnichannel strategy that captures market opportunities and powers brand love. This role is a critical pillar in balancing global product direction with regional execution to deliver high-impact results and foster a culture of excellence and innovation.

Requirements

• 9+ years of experience in merchandising, product management, or retail buying within a premium global retailer in the footwear or apparel industry
• 4+ years of experience leading merchandising teams in a high-growth environment, with a proven ability to manage regional scope and cross-functional complexity
• Extensive expertise in managing footwear assortments within a vertically integrated or omnichannel brand, balancing central strategy with regional flexibility
• Proven track record of achieving high-quality outcomes in margin management, assortment planning, and inventory turnover through data-informed decision-making
• Expert analytical skills with the ability to navigate complex data sets and systems to identify underlying trends and root causes
• Experience leveraging product lifecycle management (PLM) tools and BI platforms to optimize workflow and strategic planning
• Masterful communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders and align outputs with broad organizational goals
• Deep commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and championing sustainable practices within the product lifecycle

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive regional merchandising strategy for footwear that aligns with global product vision and regional commercial objectives across wholesale and DTC channels
• Lead the seasonal assortment planning process, optimizing product segmentation, account differentiation, and lifecycle management to drive premium growth targets
• Drive the regional go-to-market process by fostering tight alignment between global product teams, regional sales, and demand planning to ensure on-time delivery and forecast accuracy
• Synthesize competitor analysis, consumer trends, and market dynamics to identify and act on growth opportunities unique to the Americas landscape
• Collaborate with analytics teams to translate sales data and market research into actionable insights that refine product offerings and improve commercial outcomes
• Track and analyze key performance indicators including sell-through rates, inventory turn, and margin health to optimize category performance
• Mentor and develop a high-performing merchandising team, providing coaching that empowers individuals to own their professional growth and functional expertise
• Partner across the matrix to bridge gaps between global strategy and local execution, ensuring the footwear category contributes to On’s overall strategic priorities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed