James Gideon Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Greater Toronto Area, Canada

Responsible for leading both the Roots Merchandising and Buying team as well as the Planning and Allocations team, uniting a comprehensive go to market strategy and process. Focused on building powerful cross functional alignment between Merchandising, Finance, Retail operations, Sourcing, Marketing and Ecommerce by leading product assortment planning, global category and buying strategy, while collaborating on establishing targets and go to market plan and execution. Using analytical skills in business performance and market research, while executing and delivering real outcomes that drive revenue and brand love. As a business minded, inspirational leader with an authentic passion for product, a key voice in fostering relations with key stakeholders to execute the product vision from concept to consumer.

Develop and steer the Go-to Market plan for Canada in accordance with global guidelines and drive business vertically. Contribute to the development of the global Go-to-market plan lead and support the merchandising organization by driving transformation, process, execution aligned with Global strategies. Owned Product Merchandising P&L completing year end at or below budget.Fostered a culture of empowerment and inclusiveness, coached and mentored colleagues in career development opportunities building a strong succession pipeline of future leaders who were later promoted to senior positions at adidas and externally.

Toronto, Canada Area

Lead for the Country in definition of local short and medium-term objectives for all categories within Badge of Sport, Core and Originals. Executed NAM category strategies in a locally relevant way. Managed merchandising activities with the GTM process.Executed the range selection process in key areas of product selection, positioning, segmentation, pricing, and margin planning. Partnered with Commercial teams and key accounts across the country to deliver a best in class Go-to-market experience.Cooperated with Finance to drive adidas Omni-Channel Brand Sales Business Planning process for Canada to drive alignment between financial targets and GTM strategies. Ensured the Canadian market assorted and procured the correct amount of product by category to fulfill 2020 and 2021 net sales and margin targets.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Accountable for the Concept to Consumer (CTC) and Category marketing operational processes and implementation of global processes to drive efficiency. Responsible for driving operations, logistics, reporting and calendar management for CTC and Category teams within the Brand Marketing Organization.Created and led seasonal teardowns session that inspire continuous improvement with the Go-to-market process. Implemented digital tools that allowed teams to leverage during sales meetings which enabled adidas to sell-in to more accounts in a shorter “sell in window”.Brand Lead for adidas Canada E2E workstream, built process’ for more effective and efficient supply forecasting model. Implemented a digital forecasting tool creating confidence with forecast and real-time visibility with costs which allowed the category team to react with MSRP updates.

Set Licensed (NHL, MLS, CFL) category business direction and strategic vision in Canada. Collaborated with U.S to drive product creation to create consumer focused product concepts.Launched the inaugural adidas x NHL product merchandising category strategy for Canadian market exceeding all financial targets in 2017. Continued to meet the licensed category target though to 2019.Built an NHL all star program that set net sales records by implementing an exclusive strategy which was subsequently used for the entire North American business.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba

Post Graduate Certificate, Sports And Event Marketing

Creating A Culture Of Inclusion

Inclusion In The Workplace

Education record