Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team
NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
This role is part of Nike Japan’s Sales organization and reports to the Senior Director of Sales. The Sportswear Specialty Director manages five direct reports and collaborates with Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, Sport Marketplace Directors, and APLA (Asia Pacific Latin America) teams to elevate specialty retail and drive sustainable growth.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike Japan seeks an experienced leader in Sales, Marketplace Strategy, and People Management to serve as Sportswear Specialty Director. The individual must have a deep understanding of Japan’s wholesale and sportswear marketplace, strong learning agility, and the ability to turn consumer, product, and brand strategies into profitable marketplace plans.
The ideal candidate demonstrates strategic account leadership, cross-functional influence, and disciplined execution. They will drive sustainable growth by unlocking new opportunities, optimizing existing business, shaping channel-level strategies, and maximizing profitability with strategic partners in a fast-paced, multi-brand retail environment.
Minimum 9–10 years of leadership experience in sales, account management, or marketplace roles within the athletic or consumer products industry, including field sales, merchandising, retail buying, and business planning
Bachelor’s degree or related field
Demonstrate deep knowledge of the sportswear industry, including product innovation, consumer insights, and marketplace trends
Possess the vision and capability to deliver 360-degree business solutions within a complex, multi-brand and omni-channel retail environment
Exhibit exceptional communication skills in English and Japanese, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across functions and levels, and build strong relationships in a dynamic business environment
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
You will lead Nike Japan's Sportswear Specialty business, driving growth through strategic account leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and disciplined execution. You will shape partner strategies, elevate retail concepts, and turn insights into sustainable, profitable growth.
Lead and develop a high-performing sales organization, driving accountability and results
Own strategic account and marketplace planning, influencing senior internal and external stakeholders
Partner cross-functionally to deliver seasonal plans, go-to-market execution, and retail elevation
Drive forecasting, scenario planning, and financial decision-making to maximize profitability
Translate consumer and marketplace insights into actionable strategies across specialty retail partners
Navigate complex, multi-brand retail environments to deliver 360ﾂｰ business solutions
Champion clear communication and problem-solving to move the business forward with speed and discipline
OUR HIRING GAME PLAN
01 Apply
Our teams are made up of diverse skillsets, knowledge bases, inputs, ideas and backgrounds. We want you to find your fit – review job descriptions, departments and teams to discover the role for you.
02 Meet a Recruiter or Take an Assessment
If selected for a corporate role, a recruiter will reach out to start your interview process and be your main contact throughout the process. For retail roles, you’ll complete an interactive assessment that includes a chat and quizzes and takes about 10-20 minutes to complete. No matter the role, we want to learn about you – the whole you – so don’t shy away from how you approach world-class service and what makes you unique.
03 Interview
Go into this stage confident by doing your research, understanding what we are looking for and being prepared for questions that are set up to learn more about you, and your background.
