Lead Merchant GPM

Become part of the Converse Team

Converse is a place to explore potential, break barriers and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Converse, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving world to make things better as a team.

Be a Product of Rad Society

We’ve got the goods. We just need the people who believe in the goods. That’s you. You see the product in the space. And you get how to make it leave the space. In someone’s bag, on someone’s feet. You’re a trendwatcher. A callmaker. Maybe even a visionary. You throw Product and Retail into a blender and make it come out as smooth delicious Success.

Lead Merchant- Global Partners
GLOBAL PARTNERS (LOCATION BOSTON MA)

ABOUT CONVERSE

Are you interested in working for the most iconic and well-loved sneaker brand in the world? Born in sports and made for the street, Converse is a place to explore your potential, obliterate boundaries, and push out the edges of what can be. We seek people who can lead, grow, think, dream, and create. Our culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. Converse seeks achievers, leaders, and visionaries. At Converse, it’s about each person bringing their authentic self, skills, and passion to serve the daring spirit of youth.

ABOUT OUR TEAM

The Global Partners team is responsible for servicing 27 licensee and distribution partners throughout the globe. As a geography, we are proud to provide our partners with top-tier guidance regarding Merchandising, Planning & Analytics, Marketing, and Strategy as they navigate the Converse business in their regions!

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Lead Merchant to join the Global Partners Merchandising team.  This role will help define and drive the merchandising vision across the integrated marketplace while owning and communicating consumer insights to drive growth within each territory. 

We are seeking someone with a deep understanding of the footwear industry and the competitive landscape. They will also possess merchandising experience operating in a complex multi-geo global function developing seasonal footwear, apparel, and accessories strategies to maximize business growth. (understanding of consumer and trends, regional nuances, and needs across hemispheres).

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

As the Lead Merchant, you are responsible for partnering with the Geo Marketplace Merchandising teams in driving integrated, profitable, relevant assortments in each region that reflect the brand vision and product strategy across key marketplace channels. You will also help to communicate and share a consolidated vision of that strategy within the Global Partners Merchandising team and across key cross-functional partners.

This role plays an integral part in building consumer-right assortments and collecting insights across the marketplace.  You will be responsible for connecting the consumer with the territory product strategy and crafting assortments based on our global product line offering.  You will support ensuring that in-season and future executions, geo nuances, and financial targets are met within each geography.

You will be responsible for:

• Partner with marketplace merchants to create and drive distinct, profitable, and brand-elevating assortments for our consumers through merchandising strategy, data analysis, and close collaboration with geography cross-functional teams based on territory opportunities and nuances.
• Product consumer journey planning based on marketplace distribution channels
• Translate consumer and marketplace insights into actionable plans and business outcomes for current and future business opportunities.
• Assortment planning and pricing
• Product lifecycle planning/Line planning acumen
• Presenting product merchandising strategies at key brand gameplan gates
• Act as a role model fostering a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and optimism.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

In this role, your key partners will be:

• Geo Brand Merchandising
• Marketplace Merchandising
• Licensing and Distribution Partners
• Regional Brand Marketing
• Marketplace Planning

WHAT YOU BRING

• Requires a minimum of 6-10 years of directly relevant merchandising experience; footwear or apparel experience required with a data-driven mindset. Global merchandising experience preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of product development, marketing, and merchandising product commercialization
• Understanding of retail key performance indicators and profit-based metrics
• Requires strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (data manipulation and analysis), PowerPoint, and Keynote
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work and influence cross-functionally
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams
• Ability to travel 30% of the time
• Speak a second language a plus

Converse is more than a company; it’s a worldwide advocate for self-expression. This belief motivates our employees, permeates our working environment and inspires our products. No two of us look or think exactly alike. We are each one-of-a-kind. Individually and as a culture, we have the freedom to create and grow professionally. Generous benefits packages only sweeten the experience. From Boston to Shanghai, from Brand Design to Finance, Converse is a brand that celebrates the unique and creative people of the world. Together, we’re different.