Manager of Digital Merchandising

The Manager of Digital Merchandising for Foot Locker owns the business results, analysis, and merchandising for 2 sites supporting North America.  The Manager of Digital Merchandising is accountable for exceeding the merchandise plan for online sales and margin, while optimizing online traffic and conversion.  They will work closely with their GMM/DMM partners to develop the online strategy that aligns with the overall strategies and initiatives of the brand.  They will translate the in-store experience and overall eCommerce strategy and incorporate it into the online experience, including the content on the category pages and category-specific taxonomy, navigation, and search experience.  They will analyze and influence partners to drive the profitability of the digital business. 

This role will have a significant influence on the omni-channel business strategy, inclusive of Pricing, Promotions, and Assortment.  The Manager of Digital Merchandising will activate site promotions and develop creative, as well as partner across the total E-commerce team to plan and execute site-wide campaign experiences that deliver the strategy.  They will study customer needs and create differentiated online shopping experiences for unique athlete segments.  They will also assess the competitive landscape by examining merchandising strategies of key competitors and best-in-class online retailers to understand emerging online trends and recommend changes to the online strategy.  The Manager of Digital Merchandising is responsible for presenting these findings to cross-functional teams, including Merchandising, Marketing, and Technology, and influencing roadmaps to address any gaps. 

 
The Manager of Digital Merchandising will supervise and develop 2 Digital Merchandisers and provide guidance and vision on category merchandising plans (site creative, Pricing/promotions, product display, taxonomy/navigation, site pages).  They will drive a consistent visual representation of the brand across the website on all devices, develop the homepage strategy (e.g., which content and creative assets to use, space allocation across categories), email merchandising strategy, and ensure the site reinforces Foot Locker’s brand and key marketing initiatives (e.g., Omni, Holiday, or Clearance Events).  They will partner with the Omni Fulfillment team on emerging capabilities and site messaging to the customer (e.g., Buy Online Ship from Store/Buy Online Pick Up In Store) and formulate site-wide strategies to create differentiated online experiences that influence customers’ shopping or researching merchandise across all channels.

Success will be measured by achieving plans for sales/margin, conversion, OSAT ratings, and progress against key initiatives.  Additionally, they will be accountable for developing initiatives to drive profitable growth.

Optimizes the online merchandising strategy:

• Partners with GMM/DMM, eCommerce, Marketing Teams, and Store Operations to optimize digital strategy for growing sales while maximizing profitability
• Translates in-store category strategy and overall eCommerce strategy into online experience, including decisions that improve product page views and conversion rates and impact category & family pages (e.g., which products to highlight, creative to launch), product pages (e.g., which attributes must be listed), and online taxonomy, navigation, & sorting functions
• Formulates category strategies in creating differentiated omnichannel and website shopping experiences for key customer segments, leveraging a deep understanding of key customer needs
• Examines category merchandising strategies of key competitors and best-in-class online retailers to understand emerging online trends and web developments
• Recommends changes (e.g., promotions) to online category strategy based on customer and competitive insights, understanding of brand and vendor strategies, DSG company initiatives, etc.
• Provides input on the online assortment plan and online assortment strategy (vs. in-store)
• Customizes product attribution as necessary to enhance product pages and drive conversion

Drives cross-category strategy execution and brand consistency: 

·       Manage and develop 2 Digital Merchandisers to ensure cohesive execution of the integrated online strategy.  Informs the homepage strategy, which content and creative assets to use, how to allocate space across categories, and develops a consistent visual representation of the brand across the site

·       Collaborates with leadership in Merchandising & Marketing functions, to determine strategies as well as enable alignment of Direct Mail, Digital, Email, In-Store, and Online messaging

·       Creates guidelines for content regarding quality and quantity of copy, images, and product attribution to achieve a differentiated customer experience

·       Formulates strategy and assortment recommendations based on examination of overall merchandising strategies of key competitors and best-in-class online retailers

Manages performance metrics and Reporting Analysis:  

·       Analyze/reports on performance by managing website KPIs: page performance, category conversion, top Sellers, and internal search results

·       Assists buying and planning teams in managing category P&L's and merchandise sales plans, reporting on sales, margin, and EBT - makes recommendations on assortment, sales upside, or promotion/pricing needs to effectively manage the business. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Experience working in a collaborative or professional environment.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills that can be applied inter/intra departmentally to obtain critical information from other teams or individuals.
• Strong capacity for multitasking, organization, working independently, and time management. Candidates should be able to prioritize and maintain a high level of accuracy while doing multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Proactive personality.
• An appreciation for and understanding of the Foot Locker customer and aesthetic.
• A passion for retail and specifically e-commerce in today’s marketplace.
• In-depth computer literacy and internet proficiency.
• Must be comfortable working with technical systems and troubleshooting web issues.

Preferred Skills

• Competency with web-based product, content, or catalog management applications.
• Understanding of global e-commerce website experiences
• Technical expertise to answer questions about or troubleshoot problems with the website.
• Interest in utilizing data to make decisions.

At Foot Locker, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity in all that we do.  To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, during interviews and assessments.  To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please review the following guidelines:

• Cameras must be on for all virtual interviews.
• AI tools are strictly prohibited during interviews or assessments.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a transparent and equitable hiring experience.

The annual base salary range is $85,000-$105,000 This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary for this position. This role is also eligible to receive short term incentives that align with individual and company performance. Salary will be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Salary is one component of the Foot Locker, Inc. total compensation package, which includes the below.

Foot Locker Benefits:

• Employee Discount
• Paid Time Off
• Medical | Dental | Vision Coverage
• 401(k) | Roth 401(k)
• Stock Purchase Plan
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Opportunities for Advancement
• Tuition Reimbursement for Qualified Courses
• Strong Company Culture
• Employee Resource Groups