Adidas DIRECTOR FRANCHISE BUYING KIDS 

China, Shanghai, Yangpu District 

463662509

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION:

This role requires a deep understanding of the kids' market, current trends in sportswear, and consumer preferences. The ideal candidate will lead a team to create compelling product assortments that resonate with young athletes and their parents, driving sales and enhancing brand loyalty.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assortment Planning & Merchandising Strategy

• Develop and manage assortment plans tailored to franchise store clusters, ensuring alignment with company targets and customer demand.
• Participate in the Go-To-Market (GTM) process, representing the franchise perspective and providing insights on product selection, range optimization, and market trends.
• Collaborate with BU, and Sales teams to ensure cohesive product strategies.
• Implement new product/category introductions with a structured rollout plan.

Order & Inventory Management

• Execute just-in-time purchasing for pre-selected products, optimizing stock levels to meet sales forecasts.
• Develop and manage purchase plans that align with Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets and company financial goals.
• Monitor and improve stock turnover rates while minimizing excess inventory.
• Track order fulfillment and follow up to ensure timely product availability.

Sales & Performance Analysis

• Analyze sell-through rates for key products, identifying trends and recommending actions to improve performance.
• Prepare sales forecasts and translate insights into actionable strategies for franchise stores.
• Conduct regular business reviews to assess product performance and adjust merchandising strategies accordingly.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Franchise Operations and Visual Merchandising teams to ensure smooth product launches and in-store execution.
• Serve as the key liaison between BU and Sales teams to align on product strategies.

Team Development & Leadership

• Identify training needs and contribute to the development of team members.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching to enhance team effectiveness.

Success Metrics:

• Increased ATV (Average Transaction Value), UPT (Units Per Transaction), and conversion rates.
• Improved inventory turnover and reduced excess stock.
• Effective implementation of new product/category strategies.
• High accuracy in sales forecasting and demand planning.

Key Relationships:

• GCA local management team
• BU, CCS
• Brand Marketing Kids Team
• Franchise Operations Team
• Account Sales

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Leadership & Business Management

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to manage processes, projects, and drive operational efficiency.
• Results-driven mindset, with a focus on achieving key performance targets.
• Financial literacy, including budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis.
• Capability to develop long-term strategies that align with business objectives and respond to market changes

People & Performance Management

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and coach teams to high performance.
• Strong organizational and people management skills, with experience in setting performance frameworks.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to mentor and develop team members, enhancing their skills and fostering professional growth within the company.

Analytical & Decision-Making Skills

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities to interpret sales data and optimize merchandising strategies.
• Strong decision-making skills, balancing data insights with business priorities.
• Ability to identify trends and translate them into actionable business strategies.

Communication & Collaboration

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and Mandarin.
• Ability to present complex data clearly and influence key stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years of experience in retail merchandising, buying, or sales, with at least 3 years in a supervisory/leadership role.
• University degree (Business, Retail Management, Fashion Merchandising, or related field).
• Strong fashion sensibility and understanding of consumer trends.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) for data analysis and reporting.
• Bilingual fluency in English & Mandarin (written and spoken).