Merchandising Manager

The Category Merchandise Manager provides leadership for the Sourcing, Costing, and Product Development functions for the assigned Categories within the Regional Liaison Office. Manages Vendor relationships to deliver the Profitability, On-time Execution, Quality and SMP goals for the assigned Category (ies) and that of Columbia Sportswear Company.

Provide leadership and training to Merchandising team in order to achieve set goals for CSC products shipping to the multiple global markets in which we conduct business.

Advocate as ambassador for the Brands’ visions and category strategies within the region.

• →Strategic/Source Base: Collaborate with Regional Merchandise Manager to execute seasonal and long-term sourcing strategy for apparel from the Regional Source Base. Develop and maintain the product source base plan for the Liaison Office, based upon the Regional/Brand/Channel needs and aligned with the CSC global source strategy.

• →Drive Commercialization Excellence: Lead the delivery of Brand promise from the region by driving product excellence for the assigned categories. Deliver Accuracy, Completeness and Timeliness in Product Development and Commercialization Process for all assigned categories. Facilitate direct development opportunities with key Suppliers and Home Office Teams. Develop, standardize, and continually improve processes related to commercialization.

• →Exemplify Brand Ambassadorship and Consumer Focus: act as the brand/category advocate in every interaction, proactively communicating the Category’s needs & reinforcing overall Columbia Sportswear Company’s expectations with vendors and internal partners. Build strong foundations with our partners to ensure beneficial long-term relationships.

• →Seasonal/Yearly Vendor Reporting: Working with cross-functional management, ensure accuracy of performance “scorecards” data of each vendor to support Category Sourcing Managers in placing product with the right factories. Work closely with Vendor Base to identify opportunities and constraints – as it relates to achieving CSC and Category targets. Obtain, maintain and circulate Vendor’s seasonal capacity and capability data to internal

Job involves a high degree of complexity or difficulty in performing work situations which frequently vary from the norm. Requires the ability to react to both short term problems and long term goals. Work is generally reviewed on a project basis over extended periods of time. Errors in judgment can have significant negative impacts on the profitability, quality and timely delivery of Columbia Sportswear Company’s product and may result in decreased sales and/or profits, and/or a negative impact to the Company’s reputation.

Contacts are normally made with others inside and outside the organization. Internal contacts include other department members and multiple functional areas. External contacts are primarily with suppliers and distribution representatives. Interactions focus on information exchange, problem solving and negotiation. Contacts usually contain confidential/sensitive information necessitating discretion at all times. Information may include financial information, strategic planning information and confidential personnel information. Incumbent usually initiates contacts with 50% being by phone/fax/e-mail and the remainder via face-to-face interaction.

Requires a well-developed ability to read, write, and speak English, in relation to understanding and communicating highly complex or technical topics.

Mental agility and emotional intelligence required to conduct complex business operations, manage interpersonal interactions of a complex and critical nature, develop and cultivate personal and professional relationships within and outside the company. Ability to work well with individuals of different countries and cultures.

Work and thrive within a fast -paced and decision-critical environment to achieve job requirements with efficiency and effectiveness. Also must be able to trouble shoot and solve problems of an unusual and complex nature and make decisions and operate independently with discretion.

Must be physically able sit for extended periods of time, operate computer hardware/software including a keyboard.

Well-developed understanding of the commercialization process, product sourcing and costing, and negotiation skills and tactics.

Domestic and International travel is required to visit vendors and suppliers throughout the Region.

•Integrity and Trust

•Process & Project Management

•Customer Focus

•Business Acumen

• Functional/Technical

•Drive for Results

• Managing Vision & Purpose

•Communication Skills

•Developing Direct Reports

•Time Management

•Motivating Others

• Interpersonal Savviness
• Negotiation skills
• Influence skills
• Conflict management skills
• Conceptual thinking
• Forward Thinking

• University degree in Manufacturing, Business, or related field.
• 10-12 years relevant experience in production, merchandising, development or a manufacturing environment, preferably in the garment industry or related soft goods industry.
• Work experience related to the management of people and the sourcing and costing processes.
• Knowledge of the Apparel Manufacturing and its associated upstream and downstream business processes.
• Requires a well-developed ability to read, write, and speak English, in relation to topics of a highly complex or technical nature.
• Ability to lead in ambiguous situations and able to prioritize, organize, provide focus and direction to staff

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.