Lead Merchant, Nike Direct, Sportswear Footwear

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

Nike is seeking a Lead Merchandiser for Nike Digital Merchandising, Sportswear Footwear. This role is for an experienced merchandising professional who is passionate about product, deeply consumer-focused, and driven to elevate the Nike Digital experience through best-in-class merchandising.

Nike Digital Merchandising is part of the broader Nike Merchandising function. The team focuses on serving consumers by connecting strategy to execution across digital channels. The team leverages consumer, marketplace, competitive, and performance insights to drive both immediate results and long-term growth. Success depends on strong cross-functional collaboration.Key Cross-Functional Partnerships: Merchandising, Planning, Digital Platform Experience, and Digital Marketing teams.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate brings strong commercial acumen, a sharp eye for product, and the ability to translate consumer insights into impactful assortments. With proven merchandising or buying experience, this person understands how to build and deliver a clear digital assortment strategy thinking end in mind, to create the best expression of the brand online.

This role requires strong retail and financial acumen, with the ability to monitor performance, interpret KPIs, and take timely action to drive business results. The candidate operates with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset and contributes consistently to both daily and seasonal priorities.

The position operates in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The candidate is comfortable working across multiple seasons simultaneously, navigating shifting priorities, and managing ad-hoc requests. Strong prioritization skills, adaptability, and the ability to move between topics effectively are key to success.

Effective communication is essential. The candidate regularly presents insights, strategies, and performance updates to cross-functional stakeholders and is confident tailoring messages for different audiences.

Nike operates with a continuous improvement mindset, always putting the consumer at the center. The ideal candidate embraces change, adapts quickly, and is comfortable evolving ways of working. This person is proactive, collaborative, and motivated to solve problems and unlock new opportunities.

Requirements:

• Extensive experience in buying or merchandising within a retail or digital environment
• Ability to navigate and operate effectively within a complex, evolving business matrix
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to define and communicate a clear vision and assortment strategy for Sportswear Digital
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, with a test-and-learn approach to driving continuous improvement
• Ability to translate trends, data, and consumer insights into actionable seasonal strategies and assortments
• Strong retail and financial acumen, with the ability to analyze performance data and take decisive action to drive results
• Consumer-first mindset, with a deep understanding of consumer needs and trends; an affinity for sport as a core part of Nike’s DNA
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners to deliver aligned merchandising plans
• Strong influencing skills, with experience shaping assortment direction and aligning partners on product strategies and business priorities
• Track record of building strong partnerships and fostering an inclusive, team-oriented environment that values diverse perspectives
• Experience with merchandising visualization tools, databases, and analytical dashboards; proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with fluency in written and spoken English

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As part of Nike Digital Merchandising, you will build and manage seasonal assortments for Sportswear Footwear within Nike Digital while partnering closely with cross-functional teams to deliver compelling, consumer-led assortments that elevate the digital experience. From a day-to-day perspective, you will:

• Build assortments from seasonal strategy through execution, ensuring a curated approach and strong, consistent product flow
• Lead the seasonal merchandising process and engage stakeholders at key milestones
• Partner with merchandising counterparts to advance Nike Direct strategy and vision
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Brand, Platform Experience, and Planning, to execute seasonal plans
• Lead pre-season planning by providing clear assortment direction to Planning partners and co-creating a seasonal buy aligned with business priorities; present strategies at key milestones and handovers
• Drive in-season performance by analyzing data, partnering with cross-functional teams, and using available levers to optimize results; contribute to trade reviews and business recaps with clear, insight-driven actions
• Shape future seasons by sharing consumer insights and influencing line planning to better serve the Nike Digital consumer
• Own end-to-end seasonal merchandising deliverables and ensure alignment across cross-functional partners
• Partner closely with merchandising leadership and teams to integrate consumer insights into future strategies
• Contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team culture, building strong partnerships and supporting an environment that values diverse perspectives
• Provide guidance and mentorship to teammates, supporting both individual and team growth

The role is open for applications until 25th of June. Relocation is not offered for this position.