Amber Janse Van Rensburg

o Develop and execute channel strategy for the sporting goods category, acting as a true ambassador of the brand

o Analysis of POS data to ensure a healthy marketplace and use this information to make current and future decisions aligned with the company vision

o Know and serve consumers through deep understanding and connection to ensure the right product at the right time

o Analyze customer shopping behaviors through retail reports and regular store visits to gain a better understanding of the competition and marketplace dynamics (both physical & digital)

o Adapt quickly to an ever-changing retail environment while providing consultancy to drive strategic initiatives.

o Present quarterly to retailers on upcoming products and share the strategy for the season, driving forecast accuracy and encouraging authentic storytelling with a focus on the customer experience and digital.

o Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment and effective strategy execution with a "win as a team" mindset.

o Identify opportunities to enhance local brand presence in South Africa through product and messaging.

o Share best practices with retailers to encourage innovative thinking, with a focus on digital and customer experience.

o Encourage retailers to create a brand experience - consumer experience first approach

o Collaborate with marketing to ensure retailers generate brand heat and provide a hyper-local experience.

o Align closely with merchandising teams to ensure account-relevant assortments and appropriate product tiering

o Invest in key relationships i.e. Marketing, merchandising planning team, and marketing place development teams to ensure as team executes the best expression and vision throughout the sporting goods marketplace

o Collaborate with retail planning to deliver against key KPIs, markdown strategy, and future marketplace health

o Remain agile in my approach with a problem-solving mindset.

o Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers & planners to ensure successful collaboration and alignment, managing future and current buying periods.

o Championed the growth of sneaker culture in South Africa, igniting the entire marketplace by creating a pull effect.

o Provided strategic insight and guidance on product launches for Nike Sportswear, Jordan, and Nike Basketball, ensuring that consumers received the right products at the right moment.

o Collaborated closely with launch teams to tailor launch plans based on market capacity and consumer preferences across different categories

o Conducted monthly recaps, analyzing customer trends and monitoring competitors’ activities within the South African market.

o Prioritized serving female consumers, adopting a digital-first approach while also catering to their needs in brick-and-mortar stores.

o Prioritized serving female consumers, adopting a digital-first approach while also catering to their needs in brick-and-mortar stores.

o Forged partnerships with high-end sneaker stores to drive trends and cultivate sneaker culture throughout South Africa, resulting in brand aspiration and a mass-market impact.

o Ensured timely delivery and adherence to embargoes for high-demand products.

Collaborated with high-heat sneaker stores, maintaining an influencer mindset to stay one step ahead of consumers and generate excitement within the marketplace

· Collaborated closely with merchandising teams to identify gaps within the product assortment for each category, while developing effective pricing strategies to cater to customers across all tiers.

· Ensured customers made informed purchasing decisions by emphasizing storytelling in-store and guiding them towards the right quantities.

· Actively shared best practices on executing run, train, and live concepts.

· Conducted regular store visits, providing valuable feedback to enhance the retail space and elevate the brand.

· Implemented a strategic approach focused on depth, emphasizing fewer, bigger, and better product offerings.

· Analyzed point-of-sale (POS) data to maintain a healthy marketplace, enabling informed decisions to manage risk and capitalize on opportunities.

· Presented seasonal product lines to retailers, emphasizing key price points and compelling narratives.

· Demonstrated excellence in order book management, collaborating closely with the MPO team.

· Successfully facilitated the adoption of our new system (nike.net) by retailers within a tight timeframe of 6 months.

· Worked closely with the CSM team to improve forecast accuracy and address any gaps

• Managed key accounts for Ster-kinkeor Entertainment, overseeing product distribution for two major studios: Disney and Sony.
• Strategically grew revenue within my retail portfolio, which included Pick n Pay, Game, Makro, Toys R Us, C.N.A, and other independent accounts.
• Collaborated closely with studios to ensure optimal pricing, product positioning, and promotional strategies aligned with overall business goals.
• Compiled targeted deals based on market segmentation and skillfully negotiated pricing and advertising space.
• Assisted retailers with marketing initiatives and executed in-store promotions.
• Analyzed weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports to identify trends, manage returns, and optimize stock replenishment