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VP of Product Merchandising

Cotopaxi
Full-time
Remote
United States
$150,000 - $170,000 USD yearly
Job Location: Eligible for remote work in California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington or Wyoming.

Job Compensation: $150-170k plus bonus potential.

About Cotopaxi:

Cotopaxi is a carbon neutral certified B Corporation that creates sustainably made outdoor gear designed to fight extreme poverty, inspire adventure, and move people to Do Good. Our Gear for GoodⓇ promise is to make gear that lasts and to have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact. By 2025, we’re committed to using repurposed, recycled, or responsible materials in all of our gear. We also allocate at least 1% of our annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which awards grants to nonprofit partners with proven track records of alleviating poverty. Through our Foundation to date, we have reached an estimated 3.5 million individuals living in extreme poverty.

Cotopaxi is a company that values people, innovation, and adventure and our work environment reflects just that. Whether you are working from one of our retail stores, our headquarters, your couch at home, or even your van in the woods, you’ll feel the camaraderie of our amazing team of visionaries, builders and go-getters. We are a team of adventurous, mission-driven people looking to prove that business CAN be a force for good.

Job Overview (What You’ll Do):

Cotopaxi is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking, collaborative VP of Product Merchandising to lead all of Cotopaxi’s product line (soft goods, packs and equipment), directly influencing the strategic development of our business. The VP will create, communicate and execute long-range strategies that meet and exceed both financial goals and consumer expectations. To be successful, the VP will need to be a champion for the Cotopaxi consumer and business. 

This role is for someone skilled at building and maintaining strong and effective relationships with the Cotopaxi senior leadership team, as well as with the leaders of other key functions such as MP&A, Design, Sourcing & Development, Product Ops, Brand, Marketing and Finance. They will need to inspire and motivate the team by presenting a compelling vision and direction for the holistic business. 

Our ideal candidate is someone who is a vocal and sustainable leader, a passionate problem solver, and role model and mentor, and a team organizer who can lead the organization through expanding and elevating product lines, analyzing and architecting lasting assortment framework, supporting omni-channel needs of the business and bringing product through go-to-market pipeline successfully.

Job Responsibilities (How You’ll Do It):
  • Own promotional calendars for DTC channels with an awareness on wholesale business needs.
  • Drive the product side of the go-to-market strategy to determine product launches and seasonal (weekly, monthly, etc) product focus.
  • Manage weekly product pricing and promotion actions where allowed to maximize revenue, margin, and manage inventory levels.
  • Own product line KPI’s across the company (productivity, efficiency, line size).
  • Determine the assortment strategy across each channel, retail store group, and international region.
  • Provide perspective on market opportunities and alignment with goals and/or internal strengths.
  • Think strategically, conceptually and creatively, and articulate a vision that is shared by all key stakeholders.
  • Ensure product strategies provide an exciting consumer store/ digital experience and support long-term brand and division goals.
  • Actively listen to all members of the cross-functional team to ensure that innovative ideas are surfaced and acted upon, and that the team is empowered to own the business.
  • Partner with the Cotopaxi Senior Leadership team to manage and react to business to ensure we are achieving sales and profit plans and meeting demand.
  • Lead and guide the team throughout milestone meetings, including Concept & Brief Phase, Go-To-Market Phases, Seasonal Product Reviews, Buy (Investment) Reviews, etc/
  • Provide clear leadership and direction regarding seasonal investments to ensure that smart risks are being taken in the appropriate categories and that financial targets are met.
  • Act as a positive and solution-oriented leader and role model. Create and maintain a learning environment where the development of employees is a priority.
  • Build strong and effective working relationships with key cross-functional partners.
  • Demonstrate agility in leadership style and flexibility of approach.
The Ideal Candidate (What You Need to Succeed):
  • 10+ years of product management experience.
  • Extensive experience in apparel product management as a business leader with major business driving functions (i.e. planning, merchandising, stores, etc.).
  • Deep outdoor and active industry knowledge, being able to act as the market expert for the business.
  • A relevant Bachelor’s Degree (preferred) or equivalent relevant experience.
  • A proven track record of leading teams through assortment architecture from concept/design through sell-in.
  • Must be consumer centric and able to lead the team to make decisions based on our consumers' wants.
  • A strong gut instinct and passion for product, blending art with science. Knowing how and when to be innovative and take smart risks.
  • Highly skilled collaborator who consistently finds the balance between shared purpose and healthy conflict; open-minded to and interested in others' opinions.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects, and meeting strict timelines in adherence to the product calendar.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, being able to converse with various levels of management and employees within the organization, as well as vendors and worldwide personnel.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe AI.
  • PLM software experience preferred.
  • Ability to travel to Salt Lake City, UT regularly for in-person meetings, determined by seasonal calendars.
  • Inspired by and committed to our company mission, vision and values.
Job Benefits (The Perks):

We deeply care about our employees and are proud of our commitment and investment in our team. We prioritize wages and benefits and always keep the employee experience in mind as we work to create a quality work-life balance for everyone.

The salary range for this position is $150-170k and will be based on the experience that you bring to the table. 

Here is a snapshot of the benefits we provide:
  • Medical, dental and vision benefits.
  • Company paid basic life insurance.
  • Company paid short-term disability coverage.
  • Company paid life assistance program, with the election of medical coverage.
  • Company paid mental health benefits.
  • Company paid volunteer time.
  • 401(k) plan with employer match.
  • Unlimited responsible PTO.
  • In The Wild Time: Dedicated paid time out of your work week to spend outdoors.
  • Remote work stipend (for remote employees only).
  • 60% off Cotopaxi products.
  • Additional outdoor/adventure/lifestyle brand discounts.
  • $1,000 stipend after 18 months for bucket list adventure.
  • $5,000 stipend after 5 years for bucket list adventure.
  • Annual company-wide outings and regular virtual/in-person celebrations.
  • A fun, people-first company culture!
As a mission-driven brand, Cotopaxi is not only hyper aware of but also deeply invested in putting people first and paving the way as a humanitarian brand. We welcome, embrace and celebrate all people regardless of gender, age, race, disability, nationality, ethnicity, faith, or sexual orientation. We believe in Doing Good, and how we’re involved with that has no limits.

No matter what experience you have within the outdoor industry we encourage you to apply. At Cotopaxi we believe that experience comes from a variety of places. We look for individuals who thrive on challenges, are passionate about doing good, and believe that collaboration and radical candor are necessary for success. Show us how your experiences have shaped you and how you can contribute to Cotopaxi in our mission to Do Good. We can’t wait for you to share with us your personal story!

This job is closed.