Head of Collection Merchandising, Shoes category

About LOEWE

Created in Spain in 1846, LOEWE approaches 180 years as one of the world's major luxury houses. Now under the Creative Direction of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the brand presents itself to the world as a house focused on craft and culture, evidenced through an intellectual yet playful approach to fashion, bold and vibrant Spanish lifestyle, and unmatched expertise with leather.

LOEWE has a rich legacy of craftsmanship dating back to its beginnings as a collective workshop and has long valued artisanal techniques in its approach to design and manufacture. These core values are reflected in the brand's belief in the importance of craft in today's culture, its modern interpretations of historical artistic achievements and its commitment to supporting contemporary art, craft and culture around the world.

At LOEWE, we value the uniqueness of our clients and our teams, whoever and wherever they are. We are committed to a culture that welcomes all genders, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities, including people with disabilities of all types. Our aim is for everyone to feel valued, included and empowered to contribute their best.

Position:
Head of Collection Merchandising, Shoes category

Location:
Paris

Permanent contract

Scope:
Men's and Women's Collections, Special Collaborations and Capsules

Job Description:

Overview: we are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic individual to join our team. This role is pivotal in driving the success of our Shoe collections, including special collaborations. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a proven ability to empower and develop a high-performing team, extensive merchandising experience, and a passion for fostering promising talents. An exceptional aptitude for calendar management and an organized approach to workflow are crucial for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Collection Merchandising:

• Lead the end-to-end merchandising process for all Men's and Women's shoe collections and special collaborations, with a strong and proficient relationship with design team and Markets, ensuring a deep understanding of the shoes category from both product and commercial perspectives.
• Collaborate closely with peers in the category and other key departments such as Product Development, Visual Merchandising (VM) and Marketing, to ensure cohesive and successful collections.
• Analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and sales data to inform collection planning and strategy.
• Develop and execute merchandising strategies that align with the brand's vision and business objectives, leveraging a strong understanding of luxury distribution and retail strategies specific to the shoes category, encompassing selling ceremonies and best practices for in-store Visual Merchandising (VM).
• Improve Margins through a correct Collection planning and follow up during the development phase until the editing moment with all relevant departments, demonstrating impeccable calendar awareness and management throughout the process.
• Close collaboration with Retail merchandising for all forecast and assortment related activities.
• Agile mindset, able to elaborate and implement quick changes effectively to boost business.

2. Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead, mentor, and empower a Senior Collection Merchandiser and a Junior Merchandiser, providing guidance and support to ensure their professional growth and development
• Identify clear development paths for team members and follow up on their progress through regular touch base meetings.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, encouraging open communication and continuous improvement.

3. Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with the Shoes Business Unit Director to align on business goals and strategies
• Effectively cascade the relevant information to the key stakeholders based on strategic inputs, giving clear directions to implement the strategy according to the right process
• Maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of merchandising plans.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels to ensure alignment and transparency.

4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Business savvy, the right candidate will monitor and analyse the performance of collections, using data to make informed decisions and adjustments as needed.
• Prepare and present regular reports on collection performance, market trends, and competitive analysis
• Able to autonomously present a steering strategy where needed, to discuss and agree with the BU director

5. Innovation and Trend Analysis:

• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape to identify new opportunities for the brand.
• Drive innovation in merchandising practices to enhance the brand's market position and appeal.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in merchandising, with a clear and demonstrable focus on the shoes category, showcasing a strong knowledge of product and commercial aspects.
• Proven experience in successfully managing and developing a team, with an agile mindset.
• Fluent in Italian (spoken and written).
• In-depth knowledge of luxury distribution and retail strategies within the shoes category, including selling ceremonies and Visual Merchandising best practices.
• Proven success in developing healthy and balanced relationship with design team.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret sales data and market trends translating them into a balanced product offer.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to deal with ambiguity and to effectively onboard all stakeholders to deliver on the business growth ambition through the right product offer.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities, with exceptional calendar management skills and a highly organized approach.
• o Proficiency in merchandising software and tools (PLM systems, Excel, Power point and BI platforms).

Profile

• Passionate about fashion and footwear.
• Strong leadership and motivational skills.
• Detail-oriented with a strategic mindset.
• Highly organized with a systematic approach to work and an unwavering commitment to deadlines.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Proactive and solution-oriented.
• Demonstrate the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, navigating challenges of a growing, young category.
• Show adaptability and resourcefulness in the face of uncertainty and incomplete information.
• Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate and resolve ambiguous situations effectively.

Encouraging diversity in all its forms, LOEWE is committed to employing people with disabilities. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and supporting an inclusive environment for all