With the customer at the center of our vision and aligned with the newly implemented “Lace up plan” strategic plan, the Associate Assortment Planner GEO (AAPG) plays a crucial role in fostering a deeper, more relevant connection with our customers.
The primary objective of the AAPG is to develop, deliver, and continuously manage a profitable and effective clustered assortment aimed at strengthening our relationship with consumers. Based on local market insights, stakeholder input, and data analysis, the AAPG provides recommendations on store assortments for 6-12 months to the Central Assortment Planning team at EHQ. The role also involves enhancing the customer experience in-store and increasing NPS, while maximizing sales, margin, and liquidation.
Through market visits and data analysis, the AAPG responds to trend shifts and sell-through performance, sharing recommendations to adjust distribution plans to seize emerging opportunities or manage SKU counts in-store. The AAPG communicates weekly and quarterly trade insights with key stakeholders including the Assortment Planning and Allocation team at EHQ and the Store Experience team. Additionally, the role involves assessing store assortments against planning tools, supporting VM initiatives, and contributing to local events and campaigns.
Success in this role requires commercial awareness, excellent communication skills, understanding of local product trends, and strong stakeholder partnership abilities.
Responsibilities
* Recommend market-specific pre-season assortment plans aligned with the merchandise strategy.
* Conduct in-season trading through analysis of assortment productivity, identifying trends and opportunities.
* Review and adapt product distribution plans before intake, responding to trend shifts and new opportunities.
* Share weekly and quarterly trade recaps with leadership, assortment planning, and allocation teams.
* Support assortment planning and VM teams for new store openings, relocations, and remodels.
* Identify regional opportunities such as sizing adjustments and transfers.
* Participate in weekly Go-To-Market (GTM) meetings and monthly VM meetings to stay aligned with marketing campaigns.
* Collaborate with Allocation, Buying, GTM, and VM teams to ensure proper door and distribution alignment.
* Assist VM and Marketing teams with local events and campaigns.
* Support GTM processes and initiatives.
* Represent Planning in bi-weekly Store Experience – Allocation trade meetings and weekly GEO trade meetings.
* Assist with SKU count and inventory strategies during the season, including SKU lifecycle management.
* Promote best business practices across merchandising by collaborating with all Assortment Planners, your director, and subject matter experts.
* Encourage a test-and-learn environment by managing initiatives and recognizing scalable solutions.
* Travel approximately 50% of the time to stores within the GEO market.
Qualifications
* University or College degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.
* Fluency in both the local language and English.
* Ability to identify business needs and propose strategic solutions.
* Innovative approach to business practices and continuous improvement.
* Comprehensive understanding of business areas, requirements, and challenges.
* Experience in a trend-driven, high-volume company for at least 2 years.
* Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
* Understanding regional differences and the European consumer.
* Business mathematical skills.
* Ability to work under pressure and independently.
* Commercial awareness, entrepreneurial spirit, and effectiveness focus.
* Enthusiastic, goal-oriented team player with a passion for sneaker culture.
* Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence across diverse organizational levels.
* Proactive communicator who exudes confidence, energy, and trustworthiness.
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