Sr. Footwear Merchant - International

Columbia Sportswear • Portland, OR

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Footwear Merchant - International Distributor Region will collaborate with key stakeholders and, partnering with the Footwear Merch Director, plays a key role in driving regional Merchandising strategies that deliver consumer‑right assortments, balance brand‑building initiatives with volume-driving product, and ultimately support long-term revenue growth for our International Distributor Region (IDR).

Requirements

• 5+ years of merchandising experience in sportswear, outdoor, or specialty retail categories.
• Strong business and product management skills with demonstrated financial acumen.
• Deep understanding of the consumer, retail landscape, and competitive marketplace.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite (PC or Mac).
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field, or equivalent experience in Merchandising or Sales.

Nice To Haves

• Having past International Regional experience is very helpful
• Footwear Merchandising / Product Creation experience preferred.
• A clear, confident communicator who can influence across functions and levels.
• A thought leader who thrives in detail-oriented execution.
• Skilled in persuasion, storytelling, and presenting complex ideas simply.
• Analytical, curious, and comfortable solving ambiguous problems.

Responsibilities

• Help build market and consumer-relevant seasonal assortments aligned to brand strategy, leveraging historical performance, trend insights, and financial risk/reward analysis.
• Implement regional merchandising strategies that balance brand heat with high-volume commercial drivers across the marketplace matrix.
• Focus on operational efficiencies and cross-functional communication to meet the tactical needs of the seasonal efforts.
• Analyzes business reports on regional circumstances to verify the market's performance in support of regional leadership decision making.
• Help identify market opportunities and influence future line direction by partnering with Product Creation teams to shape investment priorities that meet regional needs.
• Assist in End-in-Mind assortment planning, including channel segmentation, pricing strategy and merchandising classification excellence to ensure enough products that serve the marketplace and drive productivity.
• Help with the product handover to Sales, Planning and external partners ensuring teams are equipped with clear product stories, innovation highlights, and seasonal Brand priorities.
• Assist with the full seasonal adoption process—from concept through sales meeting—ensuring financial targets, SKU productivity, and style count goals are met.
• Own and Maintain accuracy and integrity of all merchandising systems and data, including adoption, pricing, forecasting, and catalog readiness.
• Own the SMU line and collaborate with Sales and Strategic Response Team (SRT) to ensure SMUs are consumer right for the International Markets.
• Build strong relationships with Sales to implement segmentation strategies that maximize revenue and profitability.
• Work closely with Sales and the Strategic Response Team (SRT) to ensure SMUs are efficient, profitable, and aligned with the regional vision.
• Help improve forecast accuracy, SKU efficiency, and overall product productivity each season.
• Use market insights, consumer data, and sales performance to influence product mix and ensure coverage of key price points.
• Own and Manage sample ordering and sample room organization to ensure easy access and visibility for cross-functional teams.
• Educate the sales force on product innovation, technologies, brand initiatives, assortments, and marketing support.
• Communicate clearly and effectively across small and large groups, ensuring alignment and clarity throughout the GTM cycle.
• Bring a positive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented mindset to daily work.

Benefits

• 401k plan plus a generous company match
• medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account
• an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services)
• EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services
• extensive wellness benefits
• employee discounts
• a generous time off program

What This Job Offers

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