Hoka Lead Buyer, HOKA DTC - 12 month FTC
Hoka Lead Buyer, HOKA DTC - 12 month FTC

Hoka Lead Buyer, HOKA DTC - 12 month FTC

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Hoka

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead merchandising strategy for HOKA across e‑Comm and Retail, ensuring alignment with brand goals.
  • Company: Join Deckers Brands, a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your authentic self.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, flexible working, discounts, and growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in the sports industry while developing your merchandising career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, preferably in sports; strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Other info: Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a dynamic and innovative environment.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us.

The Role: As the Lead Buyer DTC for HOKA, you will lead the merchandising and assortment strategy across e‑Comm and Retail, ensuring product selections, range architecture, and seasonal assortments align with our category and commercial strategy. You’ll play a key role in building cohesive product ranges that support HOKA’s EMEA growth objectives, collaborating with cross‑functional teams and operating with an omni‑channel mindset.

The ideal candidate will have experience in merchandising within a running, sports, or retail environment—ideally with exposure to both digital and physical channels—and will understand consumer behaviour, market dynamics, and competitive landscapes across EMEA to identify opportunities and maximise commercial performance. A key part of the role will be building and nurturing relationships with stakeholders across Retail, e‑Comm, Planning, Marketing, and Global teams. The ability to collaborate, influence, and operate with an omni‑channel mindset is essential for success in this role.

Your Impact:

  • Create and present seasonal merchandising assortments aligned with brand strategy and commercial plans for e‑Comm, Retail stores, and Events
  • Maintain range plans that support overall merchandising and category strategy
  • Collaborate with Planning to provide SKU‑level forecasting and channel planning based on consumer insights, business intelligence, historic performance, and marketing plans
  • Lead the seasonal merchandising process in partnership with Planning teams
  • Ensure range efficiency and SKU optimization targets are met across e‑Comm and Retail seasonal assortments
  • Build strong cross‑functional relationships, acting as the key category representative connecting multiple regional teams to product
  • Monitor incoming deliveries and stock levels with Planning and highlight risks or issues that may impact launch readiness or range performance
  • Run weekly and seasonal trade reports, sharing analysis on bestsellers, performance trends, and key insights with stakeholders
  • Identify sales, trade, consumer, and market trends to highlight emerging risks and opportunities across e‑Comm and Retail channels
  • Liaise with Demand Planning and the e‑Commerce Trading team on weekly trade, product priorities, and key commercial moments to maximize opportunities and support a best‑in‑class customer experience
  • Lead projects to develop localized product assortments, working closely with Global teams to execute and manage the critical path
  • Partner with the e‑Comm Trading team to support and enable strong execution of the brand and product strategy online
  • Support Retail, e‑Comm, and Marketing teams with product information to enable impactful storytelling and effective merchandising execution
  • Support exclusive product strategies within the category team and in alignment with the broader omni‑channel merchandising strategy

COME AS YOU ARE We celebrate diversity–of your background, your experiences, and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Who You Are:

  • Self‑motivated and proactive
  • Flexible and adaptable to change
  • Dynamic, energetic, and forward thinking
  • Well organized and innovative, with a creative approach to challenges

We would Love to Hear from People with:

  • Experience in a Merchandising role, preferably in the sports industry
  • Fluent in English; additional European languages are an advantage
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm for Merchandising and a desire to continue progressing in their merchandising career
  • Proficient in Microsoft applications, especially Excel and PowerPoint, and Adobe (editor/photoshop)
  • Strong numerate and problem‑solving skills
  • Good understanding of omni‑channel management

What We Will Give You:

  • 27 Days Holidays + Bank Holidays & some time away from work - on top of generous holiday allowance, we can generally take advantage of half day Fridays providing our work is finished for the week.
  • Extras, discounts, perks & volunteering opportunities - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community‑based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras.
  • Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development including Global Mentorship Programme
  • Hybrid & Flexible Working Environment

Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants embracing their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all of the other beautiful parts of your identity.

Hoka Lead Buyer, HOKA DTC - 12 month FTC employer: Hoka

At Deckers Brands, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment where every employee can thrive as their authentic self. As a Lead Buyer for HOKA, you will not only play a pivotal role in shaping our product strategy but also benefit from extensive growth opportunities, a flexible working culture, and a commitment to community engagement. With generous holiday allowances, discounts, and a focus on personal development, Deckers Brands is an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the sports retail industry.
Hoka

Contact Detail:

Hoka Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Hoka Lead Buyer, HOKA DTC - 12 month FTC

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at Deckers Brands or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching HOKA and its products. Understand their brand values and how they align with your own. This will help you show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in merchandising and understanding of consumer behaviour can contribute to HOKA’s growth objectives. Keep it concise and impactful.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to take that next step in your career.

We think you need these skills to ace Hoka Lead Buyer, HOKA DTC - 12 month FTC

Merchandising
Assortment Strategy
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Consumer Behaviour Analysis
Market Dynamics Understanding
Stakeholder Relationship Management
SKU-Level Forecasting
Range Efficiency Management
Trade Reporting
Sales Trend Analysis
Omni-Channel Management
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Adobe Photoshop
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Merchandising: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for merchandising shine through! Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed product assortments or collaborated with teams in the past. We want to see that you’re not just ticking boxes but genuinely excited about the role.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the job description. Highlight your experience in both digital and physical retail environments, and don’t forget to mention any relevant skills like forecasting or market analysis. This shows us you understand what we’re looking for!

Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. Share your unique experiences and perspectives that make you a great fit for our team. Remember, we want to know the real you, not just your qualifications!

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Hoka

✨Know Your Merchandising Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your merchandising knowledge, especially in the sports industry. Be ready to discuss how you would create seasonal assortments and align them with brand strategy. Show that you understand consumer behaviour and market dynamics across EMEA.

✨Show Off Your Collaboration Skills

This role is all about building relationships with cross-functional teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight your ability to influence and connect with different stakeholders, as this will be key to your success.

✨Be Data-Driven

Familiarise yourself with data analysis and forecasting. Be prepared to discuss how you would use consumer insights and historical performance to inform your merchandising decisions. Mention any experience you have with trade reports and how you've used data to identify trends.

✨Embrace Flexibility and Innovation

Deckers Brands values adaptability and creativity. Think of examples where you've had to be flexible in your approach or come up with innovative solutions to challenges. This will show that you're dynamic and forward-thinking, which is exactly what they're looking for.

Hoka Lead Buyer, HOKA DTC - 12 month FTC
Hoka

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