Lead, Marketplace Merchant JD Group, WE - Converse

Become part of the Converse Team

Converse is a place to explore potential, break barriers and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Converse, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving world to make things better as a team.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

We are looking for a Lead Marketplace Merchant for the JD Group. This is a newly created position within our Merchandising Team in Western Europe, Converse. The role reports to the Director of Marketplace Merchandising, with a dotted line to the Director of JD Group Sales.

The role collaborates with stakeholders including the Western Europe Merchandising and Marketplace Merchandising team, Sales team, Planning team, Brand Marketing team, Enterprise Workflow & Gameplan team, North America MPM team and Global Product and Merchandising teams.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

At Converse we believe that those independent enough not to follow will move the world forward. We’re a place to explore potential, break barriers and push the edges. A company that’s inspired by what came before us but even more excited about what’s coming next and somewhere YOU get to write the next chapter of a 100+ year old story.

We look for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Our culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination with each person bringing their authentic selves to a challenging and constantly evolving world to push things forward.

Do you have experience in Marketplace, Merchandising, Sales, Product, and/or Buying, a passion for fashion, lifestyle, streetwear and sports retail across digital and physical formats, and an interest in youth culture? Then the great news is that we have the perfect role for you!

To excel in this role, as a Lead Marketplace Merchant for JD, you should bring:

• 7 years’ experience within a merchandising, sales, product and/or buying role
• Footwear industry and UK Marketplace experience are a must-have
• Account facing experience, managing partner relationship, negotiation skills and delivering commercial outcomes.
• Experience with JD, or other Athletic Specialty retailers is desired
• You need to bring solid marketplace knowledge such as a deep understanding of marketplace trends, competitors, and customer needs.
• Strategic thinking: experience translating consumer and competitor insights to inform the future line plan.
• Strong analytical skills, and an ability to analyze market trends, sales data, and consumer behavior. The capability to use data to inform business decision.
• A proven ability of building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective collaboration and communication in high profile matrix-oriented environment across various business functions
• Passion for the Converse brand and culture

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

The Lead Marketplace Merchant JD Group Western Europe – Converse is responsible for creating consumer-right assortments across all JD Group banners, including JD, Size? Foot patrol, HIP, Courir and Sprinter.

In this role, you will connect with and represent consumer insights, trends, and marketplace capacity to key partners within the GEO and Global Merchandising and Sales teams for the JD Group.

You will lead downstream product engagement moments and product meetings with sales teams and JD group buying teams. The position cascades marketplace assortment plans and VMLP’s for relevant banners, acting as the voice of the merchandising team by translating GEO-led assortment frameworks into consumer-focused account assortments.

The Lead Marketplace Merchant provides relevant consumer insights and product opportunities for future line planning, informs assortment capacity, and delivers on functional expectations within the Gameplan process from capacity to OED. The Lead Marketplace Merchant partners closely with sales, marketing, and planning teams throughout the Gameplan and account go-to-market processes, ensuring clear, consistent communication and inspirational storytelling.

Converse is more than a company; it’s a worldwide advocate for self-expression. This belief motivates our employees, permeates our working environment and inspires our products. No two of us look or think exactly alike. We are each one-of-a-kind. Individually and as a culture, we have the freedom to create and grow professionally. Generous benefits packages only sweeten the experience. From Boston to Shanghai, from Brand Design to Finance, Converse is a brand that celebrates the unique and creative people of the world. Together, we’re different.