Altra: Senior Footwear and Apparel Merchant - Special Projects

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

 

What do you need to succeed? 

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 8 years of experience in a Footwear Merchandising or buying role.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are: 

• 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

Now WE have a question for YOU.  

Are you in? 

Hiring Range:

$116,640.00 USD - $145,800.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.