Feb 12 (Reuters) - Nike-owned Converse is cutting corporate roles as it aligns its operating model with its sportswear giant parent, a source familiar with the development told Reuters on Thursday.
Reports from Monday said the brand's employees were instructed to work from home this week as Nike makes strategic changes to recapture sales growth, which included new roles and team moves for some staff.
"Some roles are being eliminated and many more will shift in scope and reporting structure," the source
said.
"Nearly everyone in corporate roles at Converse will experience some level of change," the source said on condition of anonymity because the matter is private.
Nike had laid off 775 employees in distribution roles in January, aiming to boost profits and accelerate its use of automation, following job cuts announced last year as part of its turnaround efforts.
Under CEO Elliott Hill, the company is trying to reestablish itself after losing market share to rivals. The Converse brand had previously cut jobs as part of its parent company's cost-saving plan in May 2024.
Converse will form cross-functional squads to cater to different sports similar to Nike's broader strategy, the source added, noting that the brand's squads include sportswear, basketball, energy and apparel.
(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru and Nicholas Brown in New York; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
