Specialist, DTC Marketplace

The North Face is currently looking for an outstanding Specialist, DTC Marketplace to join our DTC team based in Stabio, Switzerland.

The North Face is the premier exploration company in the world. We spark curiosity. We dare to disrupt. We create communities. And we lead with integrity. We are a community of explorers and are constantly looking for new ideas, places and people to connect with. The North Face is a subsidiary of VF, the world’s largest apparel and footwear company.

Let’s Talk about the Role

As a Specialist, DTC Marketplace, your role is pivotal in managing our digital account partner program within the buying and trading domains.

You will be tasked with shaping the strategy, assortment and trading aspects of our DTC partner program models for our digital strategic accounts, with a sharp focus on enhancing our consumer experience on the platform.

The core responsibility in this role is to craft impactful and profitable assortments and trading strategy that align with the Brand Vision and partner program account’s strategy, contributing to the strategic expansion of the account, blending art & science.

Your primary objectives include expanding product categories, ensuring a constant stream of offerings and finding buying and trading opportunities, maintaining appropriate product variety to drive profitability for both DTC Channels and The North Face Brand.

The Specialist, DTC Marketplace will closely collaborate with various internal departments, particularly Key Account Managers and accounts stakeholders, to gain insights into consumer needs based on account’s capabilities. He or She will work closely with Product, Planning, Supply Chain and Marketing but primarily with team members in Wholesale sales team.

How You Will Make a Difference

We expect that our Specialist, DTC Marketplace will deliver unbeatable results whilst also fulfilling the following aspects of the role: 

Buying Activities:

• Being excited to use analysis, assumptions, market insights and trends to identify future areas of improvements in the accounts’ product assortment and working closely with product, sales and DTC Channel to scope, plan, forecast and execute future additions and changes to build the best consumer offer.
• Having the ability to work on analysis, sales trends and understanding of available total product assortment to build the best possible product proposition and present it to the marketplace merchandisers and sales members, mixing show and science. Working closely with the Account, KAM, Marketing, Product & Merchandising planning department.
• Assure seasonal plans are aligned with Financial and Strategical plans, allowing growth of market share within the account DTC Dropship model. Determine and execute on differentiation needs for the account and marketplace. Check and report of sales performance KPIs. Be part of developing a GTM process for the account that provides clarity for all involved across multiple seasons.

Trading Activities:

• Having the ability to trade using predefined KPI measures to evaluate actions that allows further improving performance towards the KPIs. Taking actions to maximize sales, inventory and margin KPIs. Working closely with Sales team, Marketing, Planning and Customer Service.
• Having the ability to create synergies across the digital marketplace managing the inventory level and the related KPIs to evaluate actions minimizing the risk and maximize seasonal opportunities. Working closely with DTC Team and other Marketplace team members.
• Be a market expert in terms of competitions’ product offer and trends of the account, focus on UK market. Be available and proactive for account meetings in market to build personal relationships allowing plans and execution being quick and seamless.

Skills for Success

• You have minimum 3 year of similar experience in merchandising, trading and/or merchandising support/analytics (e.g., Trading, buying activities) in the digital environment.
• You have knowledge of Sport performance markets and consumers
• You have preferably expertise in Apparel and Footwear
• You have a good level of merchandising, assortment planning and product acumen.
• You have demonstrated the ability to complete quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• You have a proven ability to conduct and/or analyse research related to product, classifications, market/competitors, consumers and channels of distribution.
• You have strategic problem-solving skills.
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• You have superior interpersonal skills and the ability to influence areas outside of direct control.
• You have leadership experience to align strategy, to mentor, inspire, and influence others within a work group.

About VF

VF is a global apparel company connecting people to the lifestyles they cherish through our family of iconic brands. At the heart of our journey lies our purpose: We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our purpose. It’s the reason we come to work every day. Our purpose unites us and leads us to pursue our goals, together. This is our calling. Learn more at vfc.com

What’s in it For You

We’re in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That’s why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we’re the total package.

• Be part of iconic lifestyle brands
• Join a multi brand and multi countries organization to drive you career forward
• International and challenging working culture
• On site gym offering health and well-being initiatives
• Discount card with 50% on all VF brands
• Subsidized canteen as well as break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity

As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

If you like what you have read and want to join our team then we would like to hear from you!