Merchandising Manager, Global Apparel, Sport

Who We Are: Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the... world of tomorrow by taking bold action today. At New Balance, We Got Now. JOB MISSION: The Merchandising Manager, Global Apparel, Sport is responsible for delivering the art and science of merchandising from a global business unit perspective. They will define the global and regional marketplace capacities informed by data from business analysts and consumer insights research team and use this to inform and guide their line plan architecture. They will partner with the Global Business Unit (GBU) creation teams and global marketing leads to build a plan that achieves the commercial goals and satisfies the brand ambition. They will be the independent mediator between the GBU and regions; always striving for pragmatic solutions that find optimal ground between commercial, brand, and business goals. MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES: • Lead the merchandising efforts for the Field of Play Business Unit and be the conduit in and out of the regions for the GBU. • Deliver seasonal story led distribution plan direction & assortment with planned product mix and lifecycles. • Integrate consumer insights and regional feedback to inform the overall long-range plan for the Field of Play Categories. • Solicit, consolidate, and reconcile commercial regional input, (participate in the LPA and convergence processes). • Ensure GBU & brand plans are adopted at each milestone consistently in all markets. • Partner cross functionally to drive assortment in all critical channels at each milestone stage, ensure key stories and key sport & cultural moments are front and center for the season. • Ensure global consistency in adoption and lifecycle planning. • Set the GBU & category plans to align from a timing point of view to the incubate, launch & sustain lifecycle phases. • Maintain the integrity of key items through lifecycle management & product segmentation. • Facilitate go to market touch points and milestones with the markets, planning, and key commercial teams. • Serve as the cross functional team voice in mid to long term strategy planning. • Be the day to day go to for the regions within the Field of Play go to market process. • Work alongside the broader GTM team to ensure the GBU and merch vision comes to life each season. REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS: • Bachelor’s degree required, with 5+ years of industry experience preferably in apparel, footwear, sport merchandising. • Be comfortable with ambiguity, knowing the optimal solution will often be made up of multiple compromises. • Ability to balance and rationalize objective and subjective points of view and opinions. • Open to change and new ways of working. Capable of building new ways of working and processes / systems. • Have a strong background of analytics and product / marketplace & consumer knowledge, art & science, posses data and creative skills. • Knowledge of channel segmentation, range architecture, product assortments, concept drivers, and product flow. • Knowledge of relevant sport marketplace – understanding of key cultural and sport influences across baseball, hoops, tennis, global football and skate business. • Attend all major milestones including summit mtgs, product milestones, and Go-To-Market meetings. • Sophisticated communicator, able to clearly present and negotiate with multiple regions, cultures, and areas of expertise at all levels. • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills are essential. • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to create a presentation and present at an executive level • Excellent in Excel (Pivot tables, V-lookups, Formulas) • Proficient in PowerPoint • Attend where possible select market milestones to gain and maintain a strong global perspective. (budget and time dependent) • No more than 25% Travel required. Regular Associate Benefits Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks – opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs – that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You’ll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword – it’s part of our culture. Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount. Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount. Flexible Work Schedule For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced “Work from Anywhere” (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility. Equal Opportunity Employer New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates and takes affirmative action to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran