Merchandise Manager, Bike

CSC Generation • Cottonwood Heights, UT

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Backcountry is hiring a Merchandise Manager, Bike, to lead the merchandising strategy and financial performance of its Bike category, which includes complete bikes, frames, and components across five banners: Bike Tires Direct, Backcountry, Competitive Cyclist, Steep & Cheap, and Marketplace. The role owns the open-to-buy budget, vendor relationships, and day-to-day buying decisions while mentoring buyers and junior merchants. The position has end-to-end responsibility in a lean, fast-moving team. The stated early priorities are to build strong vendor partnerships that improve margin, increase assortment accuracy across banners, and establish the team’s operating cadence and KPI framework.

The Merchandise Manager executes the merchandising and sourcing plan, drives sales, margin, and inventory-turn goals, and evaluates merchandise using market trends, technical compatibility, and historical sales data. The role also manages purchasing and inventory plans, forecasts demand, monitors category and vendor performance, ensures product and content accuracy, and partners with Planning, Marketing, Creative, vendors, and customer-facing teams. The position guides and mentors the Bike buying team.

The role is based in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, with a hybrid schedule requiring three days per week in the office. Travel may be required as needed.

Requirements

• 10+ years in retail buying or merchandising, with a proven track record in strategic sourcing, vendor management, and e-commerce.
• Hands-on technical knowledge of bikes, frames, and components, including drivetrains, groupsets, brake systems, wheel/tire standards, suspension, cockpit/contact points, frame geometry, and materials; ability to evaluate cross-component and build-kit compatibility.
• Deep understanding of the cycling and outdoor retail market, customer preferences, and industry dynamics.
• Proven experience in inventory management, demand forecasting, and procurement optimization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated negotiation ability.
• Firm understanding of retail math and merchandising fundamentals.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate across functions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, advanced Excel skills, and experience with purchasing software and systems.
• Working knowledge of AI tools and their practical application in merchandising workflows, such as demand forecasting, assortment planning, and trend analysis.
• Genuine passion for cycling and Backcountry products.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Direct experience in the bike industry, including relationships with major bike and component brands.
• Experience managing or mentoring a buying team.
• Familiarity with marketplace merchandising alongside owned-inventory channels.

Responsibilities

• Execute the merchandising and sourcing plan for complete bikes, frames, and components across each banner.
• Drive sales, margin, and inventory-turn goals across all channels and platforms.
• Manage the Bike open-to-buy budget across Bike Tires Direct, Backcountry, Competitive Cyclist, Steep & Cheap, and Marketplace.
• Source and assess merchandise using market trends, cross-component and build-kit compatibility, and historical selling data.
• Build and maintain relationships with bike brands and component manufacturers; negotiate pricing, terms, key buys, and promotional windows to maximize gross margin.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new vendors to strengthen the supply chain and assortment.
• Establish and enforce quality standards with suppliers through collaboration and regular product quality checks.
• Own SKU/PO worksheets and purchase orders, including quantity, dollar, style allocation, and size/color breakout, under tight deadlines.
• Manage inventory flow by setting receipt plans and sell-through targets and making reorder or reduction edits; partner with Planning on exit strategies for slow movers.
• Use sales data, customer insights, and analytics to forecast demand and refine procurement plans.
• Monitor category KPIs, evaluate vendor performance, and recommend actions to meet profitability targets.
• Use technical bike knowledge to ensure assortment compatibility and specification accuracy, and to support vendors, Planning, and customer-facing teams.
• Uphold category content standards, visual merchandising, and taxonomy to improve conversion.
• Partner with Planning on budgets, forecasting, and KPI reporting, and collaborate with Marketing and Creative on promotions, campaigns, and selling strategy.
• Guide and mentor the Bike buying team, supporting buyer development and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

• Paid time off policies.
• 401(k) match.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• A variety of supplemental policies.
• Employee discounts across the company’s portfolio of brands. The introductory description also mentions exclusive outdoor perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager