Dr. Martens plc
Head of Global Footwear
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Head of Global Footwear
Head of Global Footwear
At Dr. Martens, we are more than just a brand—we are a global icon with over 60 years of attitude, heritage, and cultural impact. Powered by diverse thinkers and bold doers, we turn passion into progress through our core values: Be Yourself, Act Courageously, Show You Care. If you’re ready to make your mark, you’re in the right place.
Where You Sit
This role sits within the Brand team, reporting to the Global Mech & Product Director, working closely with brilliant teams across the business. Here, you’ll drive globally fast-moving projects that shape how we stand for our consumers—today and tomorrow.
Where You Contribute
As the Head of Global Footwear, you will lead the strategic direction, commercial performance, and long-term health of the global footwear portfolio, encompassing Boots, Shoes, Sandals, and emerging growth categories.
You’ll:
- Define the global footwear strategy, ensuring it’s consumer-led, commercially grounded, and aligned with long-term brand ambitions.
- Guide the product direction, portfolio balance, and category performance to drive revenue, margin, productivity, and brand distinctiveness.
- Partner closely with Product Development, Design, GSC (Global Sourcing & Commercial), and Merchandising to ensure data-driven, targeted, globally consistent product decisions.
- Optimise key commercial metrics, including:
- Category growth
- SKU efficiency
- Portfolio productivity
- Lifecycle performance
- Margin mix
Core Accountabilities
In this role, you will be responsible for:
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- Leading end-to-end global footwear strategy, including:
- Defining category direction, segmentation, pricing architecture, and growth priorities.
- Aligning product decisions with brand and commercial goals.
- Directing global product creation and assortment planning, ensuring:
- Balanced seasonal briefs
- Balanced lifecycle flow
- SKU efficiency
- Integrating consumer insights, cultural trends, and competitive intelligence to:
- Drive innovation
- Fuel franchise growth
- Expand market reach
- Providing cross-functional leadership across:
- Merchandising
- Design
- Product Development
- Brand Ensuring strategic creativity is supported by commercial discipline and governance.
- Leading and developing the global footwear merchandising team, while partnering with Go-to-Market teams to:
- Communicate strategy effectively
- Strengthen team capabilities
- Enable consistent regional execution
Key Skills & Capabilities
What we seek in candidates:
- Deep expertise in:
- Global footwear product creation
- Strategy and assortment planning
- ** Construction, materials, lifecycle considerations**
- Consumer fit analysis
- Strong strategic and commercial acumen to:
- Translate brand ambitions and consumer insights into data-driven, profitable product strategies
- Expertise in:
- Cultural trends
- Market dynamics
- Evolving consumer expectations
- Identifying long-term innovation opportunities
- Proven leadership skills, including:
- Inspiring teams
- Influencing senior stakeholders
- Building cross-functional partnerships with:
- Product Development
- Design
- Planning
- Retail
- Digital
- Marketing
- Operational excellence, balancing:
- Creative integrity
- Commercial outcomes
- Continuous improvement
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What’s In It For You?
At Dr. Martens, we put people first with an amazing benefits package:
- Hybrid working
- Welcome free pair of Docs
- ‘Buy as You Earn’ Share Scheme
- 65% off all Dr. Martens products
- 50% off Accessories
- Pension scheme through Aviva
- Life Assurance
- 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
- Private healthcare
- 2 paid volunteer days per year
Psst—Apply Before It’s Gone!
If you’re ready to: ✔ Own your impact ✔ Shape an iconic brand’s future ✔ Grow your career in a values-driven environment that celebrates individuality
Then this is the role for you!
Application closing date: Friday, 12th June 2026
Diversity & Inclusion at Dr. Martens
We are fully committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and bring their authentic self to work. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds—regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
Diversity fuels our creativity. Together, we speak authentically to our consumers, because the best ideas come from embracing difference.
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