Nike announced a company-wide reduction of about 1,400 positions, saying most of the job losses will occur within its technology department. The measures are part of the company's "Win Now" turnaround plan, according to a memo from Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy.
In the memo, Alagirisamy said the workforce reductions are intended to reshape the technology team, modernize air manufacturing processes, shift some Converse Footwear jobs, and fold materials supply-chain responsibilities into the footwear and apparel supply-chain teams.
"Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in global operations, with the majority in technology," Alagirisamy wrote. He also acknowledged the human cost of the actions, adding: "These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too."
A company spokesperson framed the cuts as representing under 2% of Nike's total global workforce. The reductions will affect employees across North America, Asia, and Europe, the company said.
Alagirisamy described the steps as a continuation of work already in progress, writing that "this is not a new direction" but rather the "next phase of the work already underway." The company began notifying the impacted employees on Thursday.
The latest round of layoffs follows earlier job cuts at Nike in January, when the company eliminated 775 positions. Together, the two actions reflect a concentrated effort to reposition certain functions within the organization.
The announced changes cover multiple operational areas - from technology to manufacturing and supply chain - and the company cited specific objectives such as modernizing manufacturing of air products, moving select Converse Footwear operations, and integrating materials supply-chain work with footwear and apparel teams.
Company statements emphasize both the strategic intent to reorganize and the immediate human impact on affected staff and their colleagues. Nike has not provided additional operational details beyond the objectives described in the COO memo.