Altra: Senior Footwear and Apparel Merchant - Special Projects

VF Corporation•Denver, CO

About The Position

At Altra, we are on a never-ending journey to seek out opportunities to unlock potential in ourselves and others and to create a more diverse and inclusive running community. When we’re all working together as the best versions of ourselves, we can feel empowered both individually and as a community. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people driven to discover more about ourselves and the world around us, Altra just may be the place for you. To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Altra Careers or www.altrarunning.com. What will you do? A day in the life of a Senior Footwear and Apparel Merchant Special Projects mat Altra looks a little like this. This role's main responsibilities will be to support the Director of Merchandising end-to-end process for the Global Footwear and Apparel Performance Category to create best-in-class assortments with focus on special projects across footwear and apparel: Collaborations, SMUs/ Product Packs, Speed Lane Projects and Elite Apparel Kits. The position bridges strategic planning with execution, requiring cross-functional collaboration with design, sales, and marketing to deliver consumer-right products that align with brand DNA. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more Support the merchandising team by assisting with the development and execution of special projects – own process from brief to commercialization to distribution plan. Define best practices for process and managing these projects with the inclusion of the right cross functional partners at the right time. Own and conduct end-to-end market and competitive research for special projects; set the research agenda, synthesize retail, fashion, sport and consumer trend insights, and identify and quantify growth opportunities by region (AMER, CASA, EMEA, APAC), translating findings into actionable product growth recommendations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, production, brand/ marketing, and sales, to ensure cohesive and strategic product strategy for special projects. Assist in the creation and maintenance of product line plans, including product pricing, inventory management, and product lifecycle, specifically to special projects. Participate in the product development process, including: SMU/ Collab briefing, sample review, and driving sales forecasts / order allocations. Partnership management with (sales/ distributor or special project partner) and supporting distribution alignment is important. Provide mentorship across the merchandising and product team Merchandising, Special Projects Brief and Partner with Global Team to develop the right special products (Collabs, SMU/ Packs, Speed Lane Projects) for AMER, CASA, EMEA, and APAC markets to ensure we are meeting demands of consumer / retailer and achieving regional financial goals. Partake in key account sell in/ pre-line meetings with top accounts where applicable for special projects. Directing a comprehensive sell through analysis end of season to inform product creation teams of successes and opportunities for special projects. Plan Special Project Product & Color Lifecycle for the key Franchises. Plan appropriate Product Journeys for each franchise for multiple seasons – packs, smus, collaborations etc. Support creation of Elite Athlete Kit apparel program Marketplace Identify special project opportunities based on the strategic choices, consumer profiles, and customer needs- grounded in Altra Brand DNA. Continuously monitor and report on product performance and make recommendations for improvement. Know the distribution, from Specialty to Tier 0 and Key Accounts for global regions: AMER, CASA, EMEA, APAC Know the competitive landscape for special projects (innovations, materials, features / benefits, pricing architecture, best sellers, franchise management). Trends. Know where the market is heading next (reference brands, products, materials, features / benefits, price) and how they fit into the Brand priorities. Gather and filter feedback (sales, consumer, retailer) and input to for the current or future seasons build out for special projects. Build consumer right assortments from this. Lead and deliver upon the strategy: right product, right time, right place in the right quantities for special projects (collaborations, SMUS/ packs, speed lane projects) Communication Drive cross-functional partnerships with sales, retail and brand/ marketing and operations during the Go-to-Market process. Participate and provide feedback during Global meetings, present at sales meetings and account meetings as needed. Partner across functions to create a strong ‘1 Team’ culture of support, visibility and sharing. Focus on managing special project timelines and improving processes for special project/ speed lanes as it relates to merchandising function

Requirements

8 years of experience in a Footwear Merchandising or buying role.
Running Footwear experience / background is preferred.
Experience of working with Strategic Accounts is preferred.
Able to solve complex problems and takes a broad perspective to identify solutions.
‘Can do’ attitude.
Good communicator in English.
Team oriented.

Responsibilities

Support the merchandising team by assisting with the development and execution of special projects – own process from brief to commercialization to distribution plan.
Define best practices for process and managing these projects with the inclusion of the right cross functional partners at the right time.
Own and conduct end-to-end market and competitive research for special projects; set the research agenda, synthesize retail, fashion, sport and consumer trend insights, and identify and quantify growth opportunities by region (AMER, CASA, EMEA, APAC), translating findings into actionable product growth recommendations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, production, brand/ marketing, and sales, to ensure cohesive and strategic product strategy for special projects.
Assist in the creation and maintenance of product line plans, including product pricing, inventory management, and product lifecycle, specifically to special projects.
Participate in the product development process, including: SMU/ Collab briefing, sample review, and driving sales forecasts / order allocations.
Partnership management with (sales/ distributor or special project partner) and supporting distribution alignment is important.
Provide mentorship across the merchandising and product team.
Brief and Partner with Global Team to develop the right special products (Collabs, SMU/ Packs, Speed Lane Projects) for AMER, CASA, EMEA, and APAC markets to ensure we are meeting demands of consumer / retailer and achieving regional financial goals.
Partake in key account sell in/ pre-line meetings with top accounts where applicable for special projects.
Direct a comprehensive sell through analysis end of season to inform product creation teams of successes and opportunities for special projects.
Plan Special Project Product & Color Lifecycle for the key Franchises.
Plan appropriate Product Journeys for each franchise for multiple seasons – packs, smus, collaborations etc.
Support creation of Elite Athlete Kit apparel program.
Identify special project opportunities based on the strategic choices, consumer profiles, and customer needs- grounded in Altra Brand DNA.
Continuously monitor and report on product performance and make recommendations for improvement.
Know the distribution, from Specialty to Tier 0 and Key Accounts for global regions: AMER, CASA, EMEA, APAC.
Know the competitive landscape for special projects (innovations, materials, features / benefits, pricing architecture, best sellers, franchise management).
Know where the market is heading next (reference brands, products, materials, features / benefits, price) and how they fit into the Brand priorities.
Gather and filter feedback (sales, consumer, retailer) and input to for the current or future seasons build out for special projects.
Build consumer right assortments from this.
Lead and deliver upon the strategy: right product, right time, right place in the right quantities for special projects (collaborations, SMUS/ packs, speed lane projects).
Drive cross-functional partnerships with sales, retail and brand/ marketing and operations during the Go-to-Market process.
Participate and provide feedback during Global meetings, present at sales meetings and account meetings as needed.
Partner across functions to create a strong ‘1 Team’ culture of support, visibility and sharing.
Focus on managing special project timelines and improving processes for special project/ speed lanes as it relates to merchandising function.