Merchandiser (Temp Contractor)

Cotopaxi•Salt Lake City, UT

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cotopaxi is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Merchandiser for a temporary role supporting two parental leave coverages between October 2026 and April 2027. The role will begin by providing Assistant Merchant-level coverage across Apparel and Packs, then transition into coverage for the Associate Director of Merchandising – Apparel, with responsibilities expanding as the role progresses. Phase 1 will focus on day-to-day merchandising support, including maintaining product data and PLM records, supporting seasonal assortments and line sheets, tracking category performance, and coordinating product and go-to-market timelines. Experience with Centric or a comparable PLM system will be important, as this role will work closely with product records, style information, and other product data throughout the product lifecycle. Phase 2 will provide coverage for the Associate Director of Merchandising – Apparel, with expanded responsibilities across category strategy, go-to-market execution, and in-season business management. Throughout both phases, you’ll partner closely with Product Merchandising, Design, Planning, Sourcing, and other cross-functional teams. This is an ideal opportunity for a motivated, curious, and organized merchant who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, working cross-functionally, and balancing strategic thinking with detailed execution.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in merchandising, product merchandising, or a related role, ideally within apparel, outdoor, or consumer products.
Strong hands-on experience with Centric or a comparable PLM system, with the ability to manage detailed product data accurately and efficiently.
Highly analytical and strategic, with strong attention to detail and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, cross-functional initiatives, and timelines simultaneously.
A creative, entrepreneurial thinker who enjoys solving problems, challenging the status quo, and finding thoughtful solutions.
Comfortable rolling up your sleeves and working in the details while also understanding the bigger picture.
Collaborative and clear communicator who works effectively across Product Merchandising, Design, Planning, Sourcing, Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
Passionate about Cotopaxi’s mission and motivated by the opportunity to use business as a force for good.

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate, up-to-date product records in Centric and other internal systems, including style information, pricing, product details, and line sheets.
Support seasonal line planning, assortment documentation, item setup, and product lifecycle updates.
Track competitive samples and prepare materials for line reviews, merchant presentations, and other key meetings.
Support sales tools, product specifications, and go-to-market materials as needed.
Compile sales reports and product performance recaps to support business insights and decision-making.
Serve as a point of contact for Customer Experience (CX) and product-related questions, ensuring timely and clear communication.
Coordinate calendars, meetings, and cross-functional touchpoints across Product Merchandising, Design, Planning, and Sourcing.
Communicate clearly, proactively, and effectively across teams and functions.
Maintain and execute the established seasonal Apparel category strategy and assortment architecture, including line plan updates, product briefs, margin analysis, SMUs, and special projects.
Lead execution of Apparel go-to-market strategy, partnering with Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, Design, and Operations and presenting category concepts and styles at seasonal GTM and sales meetings.
Track in-season sales against budget, support OTB management, translate selling patterns into assortment and inventory recommendations, and contribute to forecasting at key business milestones.