Denise Swiegers
NIKE MERCHANDISER SOUTH AFRICA
Midstream
Summary
I consider myself a dedicated and analytical contributor with extensive experience in merchandising and retail-related functions. Known for creative problem-solving and a collaborative approach, I work towards achieving informed solutions through teamwork. A team contributor with strong organizational capabilities. Experienced in handling numerous projects at once while ensuring accuracy. Effective at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines. Committed to remaining teachable and adaptable, embracing new challenges and opportunities. My approach is to leverage knowledge in a practical, impactful way to influence, improve, and align efforts with organizational goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Merchandiser KIDS, Rugby, Tennis, Golf, NBA
NIKE SA
09.2024 - Current
- Driving KIDS business across performance and sportswear platforms, aligned to strategic Consumer Fields of Play (CFOP) focus and SA Kids strategy.
- Manage both Consumer and Partner Merch roles, delivering category specific assortments, through the lens of Lead/Play/Adopt and seasonal concept focused priorities, in alignment to channel specificity and diversity.
- Sell-ins to strategic key accounts. Competitor landscape comp shop and collaboration on allocation demand.
- Curate and manage NBA assortments on shorter seasonal timeline, with inline and market specialists accounts (NBA).
- Rugby coordinator with 3rd party supplier, Zelus. Share and review seasonal retail developments, final assortments, product set-up, forecast and pricing. In-house alignment with Sports Marketing on retail products and "KIT" sell-in road shows.
- Product lead to distributor Performance Brands (PB) for Golf and Tennis. Early seasonal handover and ongoing support to enable national sell-ins to specialty retailers. Facilitate Jordan investment across PB, Sports Marketing and NSP. Coordination of minimum exception buys, to create visibility of opportunity in the market place.
- Execute seasonal sample order process for the SA showroom, working with local Merch team, distributor PB, local showroom co-originator and EMEA sample order and shipping teams.
- Represent SA within my category portfolios at EMEA MPU (KIDS) meetings. Sharing insights of market needs, reverse seasonality challenges, sell-in and sell through performance. Maintain strong relationships with spatiality categories (Tennis, Golf, NBA), to maximize market exposure and expansion.
- QBR reporting in the absence of a Merch Lead.
Merchandiser M Performance, Rugby, Tennis, Golf
NIKE SA
01.2021 - 09.2024
- Drive strategic account plans relevant to Nike SA Men’s Performance business, through downstream account interaction and up-stream product selection.
- Deliver key account sell-ins and lead non-key-account executives on seasonal plans, strategic account discussions across all categories.
- Balance seasonal priorities, long term category view and critical business aspects. Distribution and scaling of product into the market.
- Planning of allocated FW. Using data analysis (Cube, Answers) as indicator of marketplace performance.
- Comp shops to attain marketplace positioning and competitor’s landscape.
- Accountable for all aspects of product, assortment, account positioning, growth opportunities, collaboration to overcome qty/seeding challenges. Influence pricing for healthier margins.
- Establsih a relationship with Rugby supplier Zelus, outside of Nike's set development processes and systems.
- Support NSP VM team on seasonal assortment view and key looks, to inform in-store product merchandising (opening new stores) and measure sku count to capacity plan in key,bigger doors (planogram tool).
- Be the voice to present men’s performance categories at bi-weekly EMEA MPU connects.
Nike Direct Lead NSP and NVS
NIKE SA
06.2017 - 06.2020
- NSP - Driving business strategy alignment to seasonal assortments, financial targets, visual merchandising, campaigns, team collaborations, and new business development as the NSP APP/EQT merchandiser, overseeing FW merchandiser.
- Cross functional partnerships both internal and external to establish and maximize “Long Term Consumer Concepts”, serving consumer, whilst driving Brand exposure and market share.
- Strong cross-category connect with EMEA teams, on local consumer needs and insights. Managing reverse seasonality and key innovation opportunities.
- NVS - Manage team that delivers key business KPI’s and long-term strategy, focused on the value conscious consumer. (2 direct reports).
- Facilitate the process that balances seasonal rebuy planning with inactive stock clearance, by: gender, silhouette, seasonal relevance, sku capacity and financial targets.
- Main liaison (dotted reporting line) between SA and GEO leads, sharing seasonal performance and ongoing challenges and successes. Art & Science planning.
Procurement and Supply Chain Manager
NIKE SA
10.2010 - 2014
- Sourcing and managing the parallel supply chain from local vendors, servicing Wholesale with keen volumr driving entry pricepoints and Nike Value Stores to acheve margins >65%.
- Manage team, responsible for product development communication, sample and quality control, Global production approval, order planning, price confirmation, manufacturing timelines and delivery to DC or direct to retailers.
- Supplier contracts, rules of conducting business (Code of Conduct).
- Organize factory compliance assessments and audits, aligned to Global sourcing office requirements, based in Turkey.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration & Management (NQF 8 – Honors Degree equivalent)
Henley Business School SA
Johannesburg01.2025
Youth Mentorship Program -
SAYes Mentoring
Online01.2022
Diploma - Online Retail
Circus Street
Online01.2019
Diploma - Project Management
Varsity College
Cape Town01.2003
Diploma - Business Management
Varsity College
Cape Town01.1999
Diploma - Fashion Design
Dee’s WORKSHOP
Cape Town01.1990
Matriculated -
Paarl Girl’s High School
Paarl01.1989
Skills
- Employee Engagement
- Performance Management
- Time Management
- Leadership & Coaching
- Multi-tasking
Decision-making
Sales techniques
HARD SKILLS
- Analytical and Problem-solving
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Process Improvement
- Budget Management
- Data Analysis and Reporting
Accomplishments
- Securing the Golf corporate assortment through effective linking the local retail opportunity, to co-adoption of exclusive product driven by Sports Direct, through established relationship with EMEA product merchandiser and account executive (SP26).
- Initiation of early Kids FTBL and inline forecasts from retailers, to inform and improve forecast accuracy (FA/HO26).
- Through engagement and networking, landed Lego for NSP SA (FA26).
- Managed to complete a post graduate diploma, whist meeting all merchandising responsibilities and transitioning to a new role (2024-2025). As team leader, our cohort project shared top class position.
- Participated and finished top of class in the first ever Nike SA Mentorship program (SaYes).
- Supervised team of 3 members during my Nike Direct (NSP/NVS) merchandising position. Supervised a team of 5 members as a Procurement and Supply Chain Manager. Currently collaborating and leading a cross functional team of 4, that focuses on the Kids Strategy, driving improvements to grow market share and maintain market health.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Internal Employee networks Women of Africa 2023 – 2025 International Women’s Day and “16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse”.
- New Crew / Vibe Tribe 2023 – 2025 Managing employee events and engagements.
- SaYes and Nike partnership Mentorship program 2022 Mentorship program with external youth candidates, formulating social change. Weekly one-on-one sessions that were documented and monitored.
Personal Information
- ID Number: 7110260247085
- Driving License: Code 08
References
- Claire, Richter, Social & Community Lead, +27 83 288 6170, ex Nike SA
- Nayan, Kalidas, Vimal Enterprise (owner & supplier to Nike) – Apparel supplier to Nike SA, +27 82 603 0611
- Hugo, Snyman, Rock n Roll Clothing (ex owner), +27 81 421 4363
- Renaud, Snyman, Rock n Roll Clothing (ex co-owner), +27 82 466 5287
- Amber, Ralph, Nike SA Account Executive – Totalsports & Sportsmans Warehouse, +27 984 0031
- Eugen, Dohm, Sockit (owner and ex Nike supplier), +27 83 658 4321
- Harriet, MaClare, Nike SA NVS Merchandiser & buyer, +27 82 850 3890
Timeline
Merchandiser KIDS, Rugby, Tennis, Golf, NBA
NIKE SA
09.2024 - Current
Merchandiser M Performance, Rugby, Tennis, Golf
NIKE SA
01.2021 - 09.2024
Nike Direct Lead NSP and NVS
NIKE SA
06.2017 - 06.2020
Procurement and Supply Chain Manager
NIKE SA
10.2010 - 2014
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration & Management (NQF 8 – Honors Degree equivalent)
Henley Business School SA
Youth Mentorship Program -
SAYes Mentoring
Diploma - Online Retail
Circus Street
Diploma - Project Management
Varsity College
Diploma - Business Management
Varsity College
Diploma - Fashion Design
Dee’s WORKSHOP
Matriculated -
Paarl Girl’s High School