Assistant Manager - B&M (Sports Category - Footwear)

The Assistant Manager – Buying & Merchandising will support the Sports Footwear category in seasonal range planning, assortment building, product and category performance tracking, and End-of-Season Sale (EOSS) planning. The role will work closely with the Buying & Merchandising team, Marketing, Stores, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective range execution, product availability, sell-through, and category performance.

The role will also contribute to store-level performance analysis, product knowledge initiatives, merchandise presentation, and new product development for key channels and partners.

Particulars

Details

Job Title

Buying & Merchandising

Designation

Assistant Manager

Department

Category – Footwear (Sports)

Position Type

Permanent

Location

Mumbai

Reporting To

Senior Manager – Buying & Merchandising

No. of Reportees

Individual Contributor

Experience

2–5 Years

Education

Postgraduate qualification from FDDI or an equivalent qualification in Footwear, Fashion, Merchandising, Retail, or a related field.

Role Purpose

The Assistant Manager – Buying & Merchandising will support the Sports Footwear category in seasonal range planning, assortment building, product and category performance tracking, and End-of-Season Sale (EOSS) planning. The role will work closely with the Buying & Merchandising team, Marketing, Stores, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective range execution, product availability, sell-through, and category performance.

The role will also contribute to store-level performance analysis, product knowledge initiatives, merchandise presentation, and new product development for key channels and partners.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Season Range Planning & AssortmentSupport seasonal range planning and assortment building for the Sports Footwear category.Participate in and coordinate season product conferences.Support the development of category-wise product assortments aligned with business and category requirements.Create and maintain seasonal buy forms and product catalogues.Track and monitor seasonal product launches and ensure alignment with planned assortments. Product & Delivery ManagementTake ownership of tracking season deliveries for the respective category.Monitor product availability and highlight potential delivery or availability gaps to relevant stakeholders.Coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely execution of seasonal product plans. Category Performance & Sell-ThroughMonitor and analyses category performance and sell-through on a periodic basis.Conduct in-depth analysis of performance at:Region levelStore and store-grade levelCategory levelGender levelStyle levelSize levelIdentify key performance trends, gaps, and opportunities and share relevant insights with the Buying & Merchandising team.Support achievement of agreed GM% and category performance deliverables. EOSS Planning & MonitoringSupport the End-of-Season Sale (EOSS) planning in coordination with the Buying Manager.Analyse category and store-level performance to support EOSS decisions.Monitor EOSS performance and highlight key trends, opportunities, and concerns. Marketing & Visual Merchandising SupportSupport the Marketing calendar and key marketing initiatives for the season.Draft and support the implementation of merchandise display plans for new-season products.Coordinate with relevant teams to ensure appropriate product visibility and presentation across stores. Product Training & Knowledge BuildingConduct product training sessions for store teams.Build and strengthen product knowledge among store staff, particularly around key Sports Footwear products, features, benefits, and selling points.Support the dissemination of seasonal product information to relevant stakeholders. Product Development & Channel SupportSupport new product development initiatives for key channels and partners.Work with the Buying & Merchandising team to provide category and market inputs relevant to product development.Support evaluation of product and assortment opportunities based on category and channel requirements.

Role Specifications

Qualification

Graduate from FDDI (Footwear Design & Development Institute) preferred.Candidates with relevant educational qualifications in Footwear, Fashion, Retail, Merchandising, or related disciplines may also be considered.

Experience

Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in Buying & Merchandising, preferably within the Sports Footwear / Footwear / Retail industry.Prior experience in seasonal range planning, assortment building, category analysis, and sell-through management is preferred.

Key Competencies

Seasonal Range Planning & Assortment BuildingSports Footwear / Footwear Category KnowledgeBuying & MerchandisingSell-Through ManagementCategory Performance AnalysisStore-Level Performance AnalysisEOSS Planning & ManagementProduct & Size-Level AnalysisGM% & Category Performance ManagementProduct Knowledge & TrainingMerchandise Display PlanningCross-functional CoordinationAnalytical & Data Interpretation SkillsCommercial AcumenAttention to Detail

Key Success Measures

Effective seasonal range and assortment planningAchievement of category sell-through and GM% targetsTimely tracking and execution of seasonal deliveriesAccuracy and quality of category/store-level performance analysisEffective EOSS planning and performanceSuccessful execution of product training and seasonal product initiativesContribution to new product development and channel-specific assortment opportunities

About Skechers

Skechers, a global Fortune 500® company, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. Serving over 180 countries and territories, Skechers connects customers to products through department and specialty stores, e-commerce and digital stores, and through our more than 5,300 Skechers retail locations.