Category Merchandising

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce has a client located in Beaverton, Oregon that is looking for a Category Merchant for a leave coverage (2 months).

Duties:
* Analyzing trend forecasts, providing lifestyle-driven insights, and understands what the consumer wants
* Focused on trends in sportswear for kids' apparel and footwear
* Work closely with Sales teams to provide insight to specific city and style specialties
* Providing Sales teams with multiple season plans, capacity and tiering insight for the sports teams - how many shoes are needed in a channel
* Own the translation of North America product strategies into clear, channel and tier specific assortments, preserving consumer intent while reflecting capacity, door realities, and account needs; Serve as the single point of accountability for the final North America channel view
* Apply deep understanding of North America wholesale, and specialty channel dynamics to determine where product should live, how it should scale, and when to advocate for incremental opportunities-balancing growth, profitability, and brand consistency
* Partner closely with North America Sport Merchandising, Sales, SSDs, Planning, and Brand teams to synthesize inputs, clarify priorities, and influence strong channel outcomes through collaboration, clarity, and trust
* Lead complex, overlapping seasonal workflows from MAR through GTM, OED, and post GTM, ensuring clean handoffs, on time deliverables, and shared clarity on what is final versus in progress for channel partners

REQUIREMENTS:
* Bachelor's degree or higher, or a combination of relevant education, experience, and training
* 4+ years of experience in Footwear, Apparel, Equipment, or relevant consumer product merchandising, product creation, and/or retail within a vertical, multi brand, or digital environment
* Footwear experience is a must; Kids or apparel is a plus
* Experience in retail, Marketplace merchandising at similar companies, or a degree from University of Oregon, at a corporate retail partner
* Strong command of retail and digital metrics including sell through, margin, full price realization, weeks of supply, bookings, and inventory productivity
* Proven ability to translate consumer, sales, trend, and marketplace insights into in season actions and long term channel strategies
* Experience preparing seasonal, channel specific tools and storytelling that clearly articulate priorities to Sales and marketplace partners
* Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships across a matrixed North America organization
* Strong communication and influencing skills

Nice to Haves:
* Understands product for lifestyle and trend insights for consumers in major cities like Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, etc.
* Understanding of how sales work in a retail environment
* Enjoys a very fast paced and team oriented environment, very flexible and quick changes, wants to learn, okay with an ambiguous role

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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