Lifestyle Category Manager, EMEA

About Brooks

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

• Runner First We act in the best interest of the runner.
• Word is Bond We do what we say we’ll do.
• Champion Heart We give our all in everything we do.
• There is no “I” in Run We stay generous with our humanity.
• Keep Moving We find ways to move every day because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

Role Overview

Your Job:

In 2025 Brooks launched its first Lifestyle footwear collection with key sneaker & lifestyle retailers. The Lifestyle Category Manager will be responsible for growing this emerging channel, taking ownership of merchandising, sales, and marketing execution, and building strong brand partnerships for lifestyle footwear across the EMEA region. The ideal candidate brings deep merchandising expertise, an ability to influence and align cross-functional teams, and a passion for products that seamlessly integrate performance and style. You have a proven track record of growing a product category from early concept to wide-scale market adoption. This is an excellent opportunity for a results-oriented individual to make a significant impact within a dynamic and evolving brand.

Lifestyle Strategy Execution

• Reporting to the EMEA Merchandising Director you will be responsible for the execution of the lifestyle footwear strategy within the EMEA region.
• Collaborate with EMEA Merchandising Director & EMEA Sales Director to ensure sustainable long-term growth of lifestyle footwear in-line with the wider EMEA strategy.

Merchandising

• Collaborate with the global lifestyle product- and merchandising teams to communicate the regional needs to win in EMEA.
• Execute the lifestyle GTM process for the EMEA region (product feedback meetings, sales meetings).
• Drive the merchandising mix for EMEA with regards to key stories, SKU counts, product flow and pricing.
• Be the expert on the sneaker and streetwear market and share insights into consumer trends, competitors, and marketplace activities with the global teams.

Sales Execution

• Responsible for the seasonal and yearly revenue targets for the lifestyle account portfolio.
• Work with your accounts to forecast, develop and implement yearly plans for their footwear needs in order to establish Brooks in this newly opened channel.

Marketing Execution & Collaboration

• Build and manage existing partnerships and establish new points of distribution across premium sneaker and lifestyle stores within key cities and markets across EMEA.
• Partner with selected retailers and the EMEA marketing team to plan and activate marketing plans within the allocated budget, with a focus of driving full priced sell-out across EMEA.
• Identify & propose brand building collaborations with key partners within EMEA to global team.
• Travel is required to tradeshows, retailer events, bi-annual sales meetings, etc.

Your Qualifications

• BA degree in Sales, Business Management, Marketing, or related field preferred but not a must. Experience and connections within industry are a pre-requisite.
• 5+ years’ footwear and/or apparel experience within streetwear/sneaker industry.
• Live & breath sneaker culture
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; second language (German/French/Italian) an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust resulting in effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks, while keeping sight of the bigger picture and understanding how the different aspects of the business fit together and affect one another.
• Entrepreneurial flair with clear demonstration of innovation and initiative – you’re a self-starter who is always looking to improve products and processes and support the business wherever necessary.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products – Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to listen and understand customer needs.
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!
• 30% travel is required.

Brooks Sports, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to maintain employment practices that conform to the intent and letter of the laws regarding equal employment opportunity. Brooks is committed to affording equal employment opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual preference, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This commitment applies to all phases of the recruitment process including hiring, selection, promotions, transfers, demotions, compensation, benefits, or training. Brooks will endeavor to make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with known disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue business hardship or a direct threat to the health or safety of any individual.