Footwear Product and Planning Manager

Role based at LC Waikiki HQ, Istanbul

Job Description

• Partner with internal stakeholders (Buying Management, Store Merchandising, Market Research) to collect inputs and build the initial footwear assortment matrix and demand plan in line with overall financial objectives.
• Manage seasonal sales, gross margin and inventory plans for the Footwear category; ensure the plan supports profitability and stock health targets.
• Take ownership of store stock build-up (store replenishment/stocking) within assigned responsibility area, ensuring it meets company standards.
• Continuously observe, research and identify customer expectations, needs, preferences, style and purchase motivations in Footwear; understand different “typical customer” segments and translate insights into actions for collection building and supply planning.
• Select and combine products from LC Waikiki Global Footwear assortment for the Russian market based on persona, occasions, and local climate/seasonality; clearly justify decisions with data and experience.
• Adapt the global commercial calendar to local market specifics, considering Russia’s seasonal timing, weather sensitivity and trend dynamics in footwear.
• Evaluate global trends, key items, silhouettes, materials, colors and price points; explain which are not suitable for Russian customers and why (fit, climate, comfort expectations, value perception, cultural specifics), supported by experience-based data.
• Track and analyze bestsellers on key marketplaces and leading brands’ websites (footwear focus); explain convincingly why they sell well (design, comfort, materials, construction, pricing, promo mechanics, reviews).
• Conduct constant competitor monitoring: assortment, pricing, promotions, marketing messages; adjust footwear product and pricing strategy when needed.
• Support development of business cases / business plans for key footwear initiatives (new subcategories, capsules, entry price points, seasonal pushes) and contribute to commercial terms where relevant.
• Apply strong understanding of pricing formation (including market dynamics and local specifics) to recommend price architecture and promo depth for footwear.
• Contribute to planning and execution of promotional campaigns in footwear: align product readiness, pricing, timing and store/online needs.
• Maintain effective business communication and stakeholder management (incl. written and verbal communication; professional negotiation etiquette) with HQ teams and relevant parties.
• Ensure high-quality documentation and follow-up in line with basic business administration / workflow discipline (meeting notes, briefs, calendars, action tracking).

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in product and planning processes with strong understanding of assortment/range planning in the fashion industry (footwear category experience required).
• Experience in a customer-experience-led / fast fashion, fast-paced environment.
• High quality and detail-oriented, stress resilient, dedicated.
• Strong ability to respond to and interpret sales, stock, and profit data.
• High curiosity and willingness to learn; continuous research mindset.
• Strong communication skills, empathy, teamwork, and humility.
• Russian speaker and advanced English is a must.
• Willing to relocate to Istanbul.
• No obstacle to business travel.