Senior Flagship Apparel Merchandising Manager

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.

JOB MISSION:

The Senior Flagship Apparel Merchandising Manager is responsible for the art and science of merchandising the NB Flagship store format from a global business unit (GBU) perspective. This will also encompass our Global Ecommerce Merchandising for Apparel through premium digital channels. You will partner with the global and regional GBU, VM and DTC teams to build bespoke flagship assortments informed by brand ambition, data, store capacities and consumer insights. This role will build assortments into a plan that achieves the commercial goals, through brand and category stories as a pinnacle expression of the NB brand.

Be the independent mediator between GBU and regions, always strive for pragmatic solutions that find optimal positions between commercial, brand and business goals.

Work cross functionally with partners in all categories to deliver a cross category representation that will include performance and lifestyle propositions across footwear, apparel and accessories.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead the apparel merchandising effortsfor the Business Unitand be the conduit in and out of the regions for the GBU teams at flagship retail. ( Boston, London, Tokyo, NYC )
• Partner with team members and functions to deliver aligned collaborative solutions to represent the desired brand goals and values
• Deliver a seasonal Apparel Flagship plan & assortment, story led, with planned product mix and lifecycles
• Cross merchandise with multiple categories & functions to deliver world class product showcases,
• Integrate consumer insights and regional feedback to shape the overall long range plan for the flagship businesses
• Have a strong knowledge of performance, lifestyle and kids Apparel, including multiple sport categories including running, soccer, tennis, baseball, skate
• Solicit, consolidate and reconcile commercial regional input to validate current and prior seasonal performance, to inform future assortment planning
• Ensure GBU & brand plans are adopted in alignment to the Flagship plan at each milestone consistently in all markets
• Drive the Flagship apparel brand assortment at each milestone stage, ensure key stories and game plan are front and center for the season. Ensure consistency in adoption and lifecycle planning with broader brand plans and strategy
• Build flagship assortments and plans alongside other DTC formats and wholesale accounts, deliver strategic alignment and of the overall business plan
• Build assortments to pre planned zones delivering against, share and mix targets established in the LRP and LPA for the season.
• Maintain the integrity of key styles through lifecycle management & product segmentation
• Facilitate key touch points and milestones with the markets, planning, GTM milestones and certain commercial touchpoints
• Serve as the cross functional team voice in mid to long term strategy planning for DTC flagship (physical retail and ecommerce) apparel
• Be the day to day go to for the regional DTC teams managing the flagship process in region

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• 10+ years of industry experience in apparel / footwearand/or 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
• 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
• Have the ability to attend physically or virtually all major milestones including, summit mtgs, product milestones, currently VLR, GTM etc.
• 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
• Attend where possible select market milestones in order to gain and maintain a strong global perspective. ( budget and time dependent )
• 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.