Nike Seeks Lead Assortment Planner for Global Football

BEAVERTON, OR – Nike is currently seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Lead, Global Football Assortment Planner for its APLA (Asia Pacific & Latin America) region. The role, based in Beaverton, Oregon, will be pivotal in shaping the seasonal assortments that drive revenue and meet consumer demand across a vast and dynamic marketplace. This isn’t simply about picking products; it’s about understanding the nuances of global football culture and translating that understanding into a commercially successful strategy.

A Collaborative Role at the Heart of Nike’s Football Strategy

Reporting directly to the Director of Sport Planning, APLA, the Lead Assortment Planner will operate as a key collaborator within a cross-functional team. Success in this position hinges on effective communication and partnership with Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Business, and Inventory Planning teams. The position requires a proactive individual capable of navigating complex processes and influencing stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. Essentially, this role is the connective tissue between market insights and product execution.

What the Role Entails: A Deep Dive into Responsibilities

The core function of the Lead Assortment Planner is to drive the creation and execution of seasonal assortments for Global Football within the APLA region. This involves a comprehensive process, beginning with building and managing seasonal assortment plans. A crucial aspect of the role is developing “bottom-up” forecasts – meaning projections built from granular data and market analysis, rather than top-down directives. Optimizing inventory to maximize brand revenue across diverse territories is also a key performance indicator.

Beyond forecasting, the planner will own critical planning tools and processes, ensuring timely and accurate submissions for seasonal “gates” and “code gate” milestones – internal Nike deadlines for key planning decisions. Leveraging advanced analytics and, crucially, a strong command of Microsoft Excel, the planner will monitor performance, identify potential risks and opportunities, and deliver actionable insights to stakeholders. This isn’t a purely analytical role, however; it demands the ability to translate data into compelling narratives and strategic recommendations.

The Ideal Candidate: Skills and Experience

Nike is looking for a candidate with at least six years of experience in business planning, assortment planning, or merchandise planning. A bachelor’s degree in business or a related field is required, though equivalent experience and training will also be considered. However, the qualifications extend beyond formal education and experience.

Strong retail planning expertise is paramount, including a deep understanding of assortment planning, inventory management, and key retail financial metrics. Technical proficiency in Excel is non-negotiable; the ideal candidate will be comfortable with pivot tables, complex formulas, and data modeling. Experience with planning systems like SAP, o9, or Workbench is preferred, but not essential.

Perhaps equally important is an “operational mindset” – the ability to manage complex seasonal calendars, code gates, and planning deliverables with precision. The role demands someone who can thrive in a fast-paced environment, proactively address challenges, and develop innovative solutions. A collaborative spirit and the ability to build positive relationships across the organization are also highly valued.

Key Responsibilities Broken Down

To further illustrate the scope of the role, Nike has outlined several key responsibilities:

• Seasonal Management: Building and managing seasonal assortment plans aligned with financial targets, consumer insights, and marketplace strategies.
• Retail Planning & Forecasting: Developing bottom-up forecasts and managing assortment plans to optimize inventory and brand revenue across multiple territories.
• Operational Excellence: Owning key planning tools and processes, ensuring timely submissions and accuracy for seasonal code gates and activation milestones.
• Data Analysis & Insights: Leveraging Excel and advanced analytics to track performance, identify risks and opportunities, and provide actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnering with Merchandising, Marketplace, and Global & Territory teams to align on assortment strategies and seasonal priorities.

This position isn’t simply about reacting to market trends; it’s about proactively shaping them. The Lead Assortment Planner will be expected to anticipate consumer needs, identify emerging opportunities, and drive innovation in Nike’s Global Football offerings.

Nike’s Commitment to Inclusion

Nike emphasizes its commitment to providing accommodations throughout the interview process. The company offers support including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible interview locations, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. Candidates requiring assistance are directed to a specific online form for requests.

This commitment to inclusivity extends beyond the hiring process, reflecting Nike’s broader values and its dedication to creating a diverse and equitable workplace.

Those interested in learning more about the Lead, Global Football Assortment Planner position, or applying directly, can find additional information on the Nike careers website. The role represents a significant opportunity to contribute to the success of one of the world’s most iconic sports brands and shape the future of football apparel and equipment.

Next Steps: The application window is currently open. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the Nike careers portal as soon as possible.