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 1. Season Range Planning & Assortment Support 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. 2. Product & Delivery Management Take 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. 3. Category Performance & Sell-Through Monitor and analyses category performance and sell-through on a periodic basis. Conduct in-depth analysis of performance at: Region level Store and store-grade level Category level Gender level Style level Size level Identify key performance trends, gaps, and opportunities and share relevant insights with the Buying & Merchandising team. Support achievement of agreed GM% and category performance deliverables . 4. EOSS Planning & Monitoring Support 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. 5. Marketing & Visual Merchandising Support Support 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. 6. Product Training & Knowledge Building Conduct 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. 7. Product Development & Channel Support Support 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 Building Sports Footwear / Footwear Category Knowledge Buying & Merchandising Sell-Through Management Category Performance Analysis Store-Level Performance Analysis EOSS Planning & Management Product & Size-Level Analysis GM% & Category Performance Management Product Knowledge & Training Merchandise Display Planning Cross-functional Coordination Analytical & Data Interpretation Skills Commercial Acumen Attention to Detail Key Success Measures Effective seasonal range and assortment planning Achievement of category sell-through and GM% targets Timely tracking and execution of seasonal deliveries Accuracy and quality of category/store-level performance analysis Effective EOSS planning and performance Successful execution of product training and seasonal product initiatives Contribution 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.

• Experience: 2+ years
• Seniority: Entry Level
• Education: Bachelor's degree preferred
• Languages: English