What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Merchandising position at On?
In short
As the Head of Merchandising (Footwear OR Apparel), reporting into the Director of Merchandising, Americas, you will be responsible for driving the strategic direction, product selection, and financial performance of our product assortments, delivering and omnichannel approach. This leadership role requires a highly analytical, creative, and customer-centric approach to ensure that our products meet market demands, achieve brand objectives, and deliver the On vision to our consumers. You will foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and empowerment within the merchandising team, maintaining a sharp focus on achieving KPIs and driving team performance.
Your mission
On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.
On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination. We are requesting that you provide sensitive demographic information such as gender identity and race/ethnicity to help us ensure that we are creating equitable and fair experiences for all potential future team members. You are not required to provide this demographic information and this information will in no way impact your eligibility for hire.
As the Head of Merchandising (Footwear OR Apparel), reporting into the Director of Merchandising, Americas, you will be responsible for driving the strategic direction, product selection, and financial performance of our product assortments, delivering and omnichannel approach. This leadership role requires a highly analytical, creative, and customer-centric approach to ensure that our products meet market demands, achieve brand objectives, and deliver the On vision to our consumers. You will foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and empowerment within the merchandising team, maintaining a sharp focus on achieving KPIs and driving team performance.
Your mission
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a growing merchandising team, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement; provide coaching and professional development opportunities for team members, supporting their growth in merchandising strategy, data analysis, and leadership skills
- Develop and execute a comprehensive merchandising strategy that aligns with the company's overall business objectives, global product strategy, brand vision, and customer expectations across both wholesale and DTC channels, ensuring forecast accuracy
- Lead the creation and optimization of seasonal product assortments, including product segmentation, account differentiation, lifecycle management, choice count optimization, product efficiency and growth targets for the product category
- Drive the go-to-market planning process by collaborating with global product teams and merchandising teams, regional sales leaders, demand planning, and marketing teams to ensure timely product launches, on-time deliveries, and alignment with sales forecasts
- Have a robust understanding of competitor product offerings, consumer trends, and market dynamics that you can use to identify new opportunities for the Americas region
- Work closely with the analytics team to create actionable insights from sales data, customer feedback, and market research to continuously improve product offerings and merchandising strategies
- 8 years of experience in merchandising, product management, or retail buying for a premium global retailer, preferably in sportswear or activewear
- 3 years of demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams, with an emphasis on empathetic leadership, employee development, and fostering a positive team culture
- Knowledge of key merchandising KPIs, including sales performance, product efficiency, margin management, inventory turnover, and assortment planning
- Experience working with both physical and digital sales platforms, with a solid understanding of omnichannel merchandising and a proven track record in both wholesale and DTC channels
- Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insights that drive decision-making and optimize performance
- Strong tool building and familiarity with product lifecycle management tools, inventory management software, and BI platforms
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and challenge cross-functional teams aligning towards meeting organizational goals
- Knowledge of sustainability practices in product development and supply chain management
On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.
On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination. We are requesting that you provide sensitive demographic information such as gender identity and race/ethnicity to help us ensure that we are creating equitable and fair experiences for all potential future team members. You are not required to provide this demographic information and this information will in no way impact your eligibility for hire.
