Senior Merchandiser Sports

Role Summary

The Senior Merchandiser plays a key role in executing and optimizing the merchandising strategy for the Sports division taking ownership of complex product assortments stock productivity and category performance. The role combines commercial planning data-driven trading and inventory management to ensure the right products quantities and sizes are in the right locations to drive sales margin and sell-through. Working cross-functionally with Category Management Buying Planning Allocation Supply Chain and Store Operations the Senior Merchandiser acts as a subject-matter expert and coach for junior merchandising staff.

Role Responsibilities

• Translate category strategy and financial targets into seasonal merchandise plans including range architecture option counts depth and investment by channel country and store cluster

• Build pre-season assortment frameworks (good/better/best price ladders category mix) and provide Buying with clear quantitative and qualitative briefs

• Lead post-season and mid-season reviews identifying lessons learned and embedding them into future plans (assortment sizing grading launch phasing)

• Own merchandise KPIs at category and cluster level (sales margin sell-through WOS stock turn markdowns) tracking performance against plan and proposing corrective actions

• Work with Planning and the Category Manager on open-to-buy (OTB) usage intake phasing and stock exit strategies to protect both top line and profitability

• Define inventory targets and guardrails for Merchandisers and Allocators (e.g. min/max levels WOS bands priority doors) and monitor adherence

• Lead weekly and monthly trading meetings for assigned categories consolidating inputs from Merchandising Allocation and Stores into clear actions (rebuys cancellations rephasing promotions transfers)

• Use advanced analysis (rate-of-sale cohort performance store clusters size curves) to recommend targeted actions rather than blanket decisions

• Propose commercial actions such as markdown strategies promo mechanics focus and product re-positioning to unlock demand or clear non-performing stock

• Act as the senior point of contact for Merchandisers and Allocators on category priorities parameters and ways of working

• Provide direction on which products stores and channels to prioritize ensuring execution by Merchandisers and Allocators is aligned with category strategy

• Partner with the Category Manager Buying Supply Chain and Store Operations to drive end-to-end alignment from pre-buy through to exit

• Develop and maintain robust reporting packs for category performance synthesizing data from SAP Excel and BI tools into concise insights and scenarios for leadership

• Identify structural issues (e.g. grading size curves minimum order quantities) and work with the Category Manager and Planning to implement medium- to long-term fixes

• Champion process and system improvements within merchandising standardizing best practice across Merchandisers and Allocators

Technical / Functional Competencies

• Strong analytical skills leveraging advanced tools to monitor inventory levels sales performance and market trends

• Understanding of customer behavior and purchasing patterns to guide data-driven product selection and promotional strategies

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple product categories tasks and deadlines effectively

• Strong communication abilities ensuring clear and efficient collaboration with cross-functional internal teams and external partners including suppliers

• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred) and advanced Excel for reporting and analysis

• Sound decision-making abilities to respond to changing market demands and operational challenges

• Consistently upholds GMGs merchandising standards and contributes to the teams overall efficiency and success

Experience / Qualification

• Bachelors degree in Business; a degree in Retail Management is preferred

• Postgraduate qualification is advantageous

• 6 years of experience in merchandising roles

• Experience in the sports retail industry

• Experience in inventory management

• Certifications (advantageous): Certified Retail Merchandiser Advanced Excel Certificate SAP ERP Certification Data Analysis Certificate Project Management Certificate