Senior Merchandiser, Licensing

VF Corporation • Costa Mesa, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you. To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or www.vans.com . What will you do? A day in the life of a Senior Merchandiser, Footwear, SMU and Customs at Vans looks a little like this. As a Senior Merchandiser for Footwear, you will work within the Global Apparel Merchandising team, focusing on our most elevated product categories and high-profile collaborations. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to deliver consumer-right assortments that reflect Vans’ brand vision and cultural leadership. You will report directly to the Senior Manager of Merchandising. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. Own and lead seasonal merchandising strategy and line architecture for SMU and custom footwear, making key decisions that ensure alignment with Vans’ brand vision, consumer expectations, and financial objectives. Develop and present global merchandising briefs, synthesizing financial data, competitor analysis, line plans, and regional insights to influence product direction and secure leadership buy-in. Rank and curate assortments with authority, leveraging historical and current performance to eliminate redundancies, identify growth opportunities, and drive strategic decisions for SMU and custom categories. Lead trend and competitor research initiatives to shape seasonal concepts and uncover new consumer-driven opportunities for customization and special make-up products. Partner with Design and Product Development as a key decision-maker, guiding material sourcing and construction choices; attend fittings and review product details to uphold design integrity and quality standards. Maintain and refine line plans throughout the season, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to key calendar milestones while directing adjustments as needed. Prepare and deliver compelling presentations for line reviews and milestone meetings, influencing global and regional teams and driving alignment across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Product Development, Business Administration, or equivalent experience in apparel merchandising that demonstrates strong product and market understanding.
• Proven expertise in merchandising strategy, with a deep understanding of industry trends, consumer behavior, and cultural influences that drive product decisions—strong preference for experience in SMU and custom footwear.
• Ability to interpret complex financial data and lead line planning, ensuring accuracy and consistency across multiple seasonal milestones.
• Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams globally.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines and adhering to calendar processes.
• Proven ability to foster collaboration and guide decision-making with Design, Development, Planning, and Regional Merchandising teams to achieve shared goals.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and PLM systems; familiarity with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead seasonal merchandising strategy and line architecture for SMU and custom footwear, making key decisions that ensure alignment with Vans’ brand vision, consumer expectations, and financial objectives.
• Develop and present global merchandising briefs, synthesizing financial data, competitor analysis, line plans, and regional insights to influence product direction and secure leadership buy-in.
• Rank and curate assortments with authority, leveraging historical and current performance to eliminate redundancies, identify growth opportunities, and drive strategic decisions for SMU and custom categories.
• Lead trend and competitor research initiatives to shape seasonal concepts and uncover new consumer-driven opportunities for customization and special make-up products.
• Partner with Design and Product Development as a key decision-maker, guiding material sourcing and construction choices; attend fittings and review product details to uphold design integrity and quality standards.
• Maintain and refine line plans throughout the season, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to key calendar milestones while directing adjustments as needed.
• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations for line reviews and milestone meetings, influencing global and regional teams and driving alignment across the organization.

Benefits

• extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions
• a competitive compensation package
• a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)

What This Job Offers

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