Purpose & Overall Relevance for The Organisation
The Manager, Buying plays a critical role in driving commercial success by leading end-to-end product planning, assortment strategy, and inventory management across Retail and Franchise channels. Working closely with cross-functional teams locally and across APAC, the Manager, Buying translates strategic priorities into actionable plans, while continuously optimizing in-season performance through data-driven insights and agile decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Season Planning
- Validate opportunities and challenges to inform product planning strategies and maximize profitability.
- Implement key strategic priorities across Retail and Franchise channels, aligned with SEA DTC Product Planning frameworks.
- Build seasonal DTC assortments by channel to ensure targeted yet cohesive product ranges.
- Lead business segment and product division planning for monobrand stores to achieve category and channel ambitions.
- Collaborate with Retail & Franchise Lead to plan Open-To-Buy (OTB) budgets, ensuring alignment with historical full-price sales performance.
- Own and steer forecasts across channels, including sales and margin projections.
- Ensure effective budget investment through optimized range planning.
- Define and monitor benchmarks and KPIs on productivity and sell-through performance.
- Conduct buy reviews and implement category-level buying strategies.
- Oversee merchandise flow, ensuring timely product and marketing launches.
- Define methodologies and support implementation of assortment options across channels.
- Drive continuous improvement of product planning systems and tools.
- Implement reporting frameworks to evaluate business performance and inform strategy.
- Provide fact-based insights and feedback to internal and external stakeholders (pre- and post-season).
- Review size ratios and take corrective actions prior to order placement.
In-Season Management
- Conduct regular analysis and deliver comprehensive reports to stakeholders across pre-, in-, and post-season phases.
- Analyze sales performance and take corrective actions to optimize results.
- Monitor inventory through monthly OTB tracking and adjust plans accordingly.
- Ensure optimal product availability across Retail and Franchise channels.
- Manage end-of-season stock flow and lifecycle (PLC), including sell-through optimization.
- Ensure timely execution of product and marketing launches.
- Support and monitor in-season chase models (e.g., SPEED, ISC, PR) to enhance responsiveness.
- Analyze product performance, pricing, and consumer feedback to inform decisions.
Leadership & Team Management
- Evaluate the competencies of subordinates on a regular basis and provides prompt and feedback and guidance to drive high performance.
- Takes ownership for Talent Management processes to grow, develop and retain talents.
- Promote a high performance culture by setting clear expectations and individual goals.
- Translate the company goals into team specific actions and business plans.
- Control and monitor performance and results.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Full Price Sell-Through (ST) and Full Price Net Sales Mix
- Category, Division, Concept, and Gender Contribution to Sales and Margin
- Terminal Stock and Pull-Out Levels
- Cost of Reductions (Markdowns)
- Inventory Health (Days, Stock Turns, Months on Hand - MOH)
Key Relationships
- APAC Product Planning & Inventory Teams
- General Manager (GM)
- In-Country DTC Lead
- In-Country Marketing & Commercial Teams
Required Experience & Qualifications
- 68 years of experience in buying, merchandising, or product planning in retail
- Minimum 23 years of experience in a leadership role, managing or mentoring a team.
- Demonstrated experience in end-to-end merchandise planning, including assortment strategy, OTB management, and demand forecasting.
- Strong track record of managing sales, margin, and inventory KPIs, with tangible business impact.
- Advanced capability in data analysis and reporting (Excel required; experience with planning tools/systems preferred).
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable commercial strategies.
- Experience working in a multi-channel environment (e.g., Retail, Franchise, eCommerce), with an understanding of channel-specific dynamics.
- Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management, including cross-functional and regional collaboration (e.g., APAC exposure is a plus).
- Solid understanding of category management, product lifecycle, and market trends.
- Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of consumer trends, category performance, and product lifecycle management.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.
