Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization
At adidas, we have a clear purpose: “Through sport, we have the power to change lives.” The Manager Trader drives in-season business performance by leading trading strategy, managing Open-To-Buy execution, and optimizing inventory across Retail, Franchise, and Ecom.
This role balances strategic foresight and operational control, ensuring each product, price, and promotion delivers against financial targets and consumer expectations. The Manager Trader partners closely with Buying, Demand Planning, and Omnichannel Teams to anticipate demand, react to trends, and maximize sell-through, profitability, and inventory health.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement seasonal trading strategy aligned with business targets and brand priorities.
- Lead cross-channel inventory and allocation performance, including store allocation and replenishment fill-rate strategies.
- Monitor and optimize commercial performance by analyzing sell-out, inventory, and consumer trends.
- Manage markdown and pricing strategy across channels while balancing profitability, competitiveness, and brand equity.
- Drive inventory efficiency and stock flow management across distribution centers, stores, and ship-from-store operations.
- Lead in-season governance and collaboration forums with Direct to Consumer, Brand, Merchandising, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams.
- Coach and develop trading team capabilities in analytics, inventory management, in-season decision-making, commercial agility, and collaboration.
Key Relationships
Concept to Consumer, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, Retail Operations, Brand, Omnichannel, Ecom, and Distribution Center teams, as well as external Retail and Franchise partners.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong analytical and commercial acumen with proven ability to optimize sales and profitability.
- Advanced understanding of sell-out, Open-To-Buy, inventory performance metrics, markdowns, allocations, and replenishment.
- Ability to manage multiple markets and react quickly to consumer trends.
- Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
- Deep understanding of replenishment systems, allocation logic, and markdown optimization.
- Fluent English and Spanish verbal and written communication skills.
Requisite Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Merchandising, or a related field.
- 5 years of experience in Retail, Trading, Buying, or Merchandising, preferably in sporting goods, fashion, or FMCG.
- Experience with in-season trading, merchandising, or category management in a multi-channel retail environment.
- Experience with Excel, Business Intelligence tools, and allocation/replenishment systems.
Culture and Inclusion
adidas fosters an athlete’s mindset through courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, and respect. The company is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to creating a culture where employees feel a sense of belonging.