share on
COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the reorganisation of teams and workflows is to simplify operations, improve speed, and better support athletes and business needs.
NIKE is set to reduce around 1,400 roles as part of changes to its Global Operations, according to a note shared with employees by Venkatesh Alagirisamy, EVP, Chief Operating Officer.
The move comes as the company enters the final phase of its "Win Now" action plan, which focuses on strengthening its foundation, sharpening competitiveness, and building a model for long-term profitable growth.
In the note, Alagirisamy said Global Operations plays a critical role in this effort, with ongoing work to better serve athletes and business needs with more speed, simplicity, and precision. He added that the changes mark the next phase of an existing strategy rather than a shift in direction.
Earlier in the year, the NIKE COO had outlined four key priorities across operations:
- optimising its supply chain footprint,
- accelerating technology deployment,
- investing in upskilling employees, and
- strengthening partner and supplier relationships.
The latest changes build on these areas. In the coming weeks, several adjustments will take effect across Global Operations, including changes to team structures, work locations, and headcount.
A significant focus is on technology modernisation. The company will reshape its Technology team to align more closely with business needs, streamline structures, and consolidate its footprint. Work will be concentrated in key hubs, including the Philip H. Knight Campus and the Nike India Technology Centre, with the aim of creating leaner teams and improving speed and focus.
NIKE is also looking to modernise its air manufacturing modernisation facilities in Beaverton, St. Louis, and Vietnam. This includes increasing resilience, streamlining processes, and adjusting staffing levels to better match demand, while supporting product quality and future innovation.
For Converse, some footwear manufacturing and engineering resources will be moved closer to factory partners to enable stronger real-time collaboration and better support operational needs.
In addition, the company is integrating its materials supply chain more closely with footwear and apparel teams. This is expected to improve coordination from raw materials through to finished products, enabling faster decision-making across its manufacturing network.
Overall, the changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles within Global Operations, with the majority of roles affected in the Technology function.
"These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too.
"Part of doing the right thing is being direct. Another part is making sure people are treated with care. Teammates whose roles are impacted will hear directly from their leaders and HR partners starting today, and we will work to make sure they have clear information and support through this transition," Alagirisamy said.
The affected staff will be informed directly by their leaders and HR partners, with support provided during the transition.
Alagirisamy said the changes are intended to "make the company less complex and more responsive", including through the use of more advanced automation and a stronger end-to-end operating foundation. He added that these efforts are expected to continue beyond the current action plan.
In closing, he noted: “The Operations team has played, is playing, and will play an important role in helping NIKE, Inc. strengthen its foundation and it will continue to play a critical role in the company’s comeback.”
ALSO READ: Microsoft to offer voluntary buyouts to eligible US employees under a one-time retirement programme
share on
