Vans: Associate Merchandiser, Wholesale

Vans • Costa Mesa, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Merchandiser, Wholesale helps shape Vans footwear assortments across wholesale partners throughout the Americas. As part of the Americas Regional Merchandising team, this entry-level role works with Global Merchandising, Regional Planning, Sales, Marketing, and Commercial teams to bring consumer-focused products to market. The position supports seasonal assortment execution, account reporting, sample coordination, and go-to-market readiness, and reports to the Director, Merchandising, Footwear & Wholesale.

The role supports strategic wholesale accounts including JD, Foot Locker, Journeys, Amazon, Pinnacle, and VCU. It is based on a hybrid schedule, with three days per week at the company’s headquarters in Costa Mesa, California. The hiring range is $58,960 to $73,700 annually. The position may also be eligible for additional compensation awards, such as an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential; eligibility details are provided during recruiting and interviewing.

Requirements

• 0–2 years of relevant experience through work, internships, coursework, or projects in merchandising, buying, planning, retail, footwear, or a related area.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Passion for footwear, product, brand storytelling, and the Vans consumer.
• Interest in footwear trends, marketplace dynamics, and consumer behavior.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to learn reporting, analytics, and product lifecycle management tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• A positive, authentic, and curious approach, with motivation to learn the business and contribute to team results.
• Hybrid schedule requiring three days per week at the Costa Mesa, California headquarters.

Nice To Haves

• A degree in merchandising, business, fashion, or a related field is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Prepare weekly and monthly reports on sales, inventory, and key performance indicators, and summarize insights to inform in-season actions and future-season decisions.
• Identify opportunities in product performance, pricing, inventory, and account behavior, and conduct ad hoc analysis to support seasonal assortment decisions.
• Monitor footwear trends, consumer demand, competitive activity, and wholesale marketplace shifts, and share relevant observations with the merchandising team.
• Support development and execution of seasonal footwear assortments for Vans wholesale accounts across the Americas.
• Prepare briefs for global merchandising addressing market needs, including seasonal and special make-up (SMU) briefs.
• Maintain assortment line plans, account-specific product tools, and order-entry information, ensuring product data is accurate, complete, and delivered on time.
• Support account assortment strategies, marketplace segmentation, product flow, and pricing within global and regional guidelines.
• Manage product samples and support showroom and sell-in preparation so Sales and wholesale partners have accurate, timely product information.
• Assist with seasonal milestones, including line reviews, go-to-market meetings, account presentations, and buy reviews, ensuring deliverables reflect marketplace and account needs.
• Work with merchandising, planning, sales, marketing, and commercial partners to support product launches, seasonal stories, forecasting, and product lifecycle execution.
• Collaborate across AMER Merchandising and Wholesale teams to represent wholesale business needs in regional assortment, product, and commercial strategies.
• Support key strategic accounts including JD, Foot Locker, Journeys, Amazon, Pinnacle, and VCU.

Benefits

• Eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential.
• VF provides employee benefit programs; detailed benefit information is provided during the hiring process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed