Columbia Sportswear, Inc.:
Merchandiser Job in Burlington, VT

Driving the development process from the receipt of technical specifications (specs)s to commercialization for assigned products with an emphasis on quality product engineering and timely completion of all tasks, including sampling and buy ready in accordance with operational calendars. Driving analysis and validation of vendor cost information throughout the entire creation process. Ensure compliance to agreed standards. Negotiate with FGV as needed.

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS
At Columbia, were as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, were proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.
Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: Its perfect. Now make it better. As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.
We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.
And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Merchandizing Team, our role to focus on sourcing, costing and product development of CSC business in the SEA Region While building and sustaining the strong relationships with our supply base to achieve Profitability, On-time delivery, Quality and SMP goals of Columbia Sportswear Company.
The successful candidate will be responsible for merchandising activities of a product line.
Activities include sourcing, new program development and program management as directed by the Sourcing & Product Development Department
Style development
Price management
Sample management
Commercialize product to ready for Bulk production
Manage technical, testing requirements following the SOP
Pro-active acts risk assessments and cost savings
Dealing with multiple parties (Sourcing, PDs, LOs, suppliers and factories)
Carrying out market research to advise a manager of current market trends
Training the new hire

HOW YOULL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Collaborate closely with the various stakeholders in US headquarters and locally: Product Development, Sourcing, Design, Merchandising, Quality Assurance, vendors, Mills and others to drive the development, sampling, costing, etc. of assigned products.
Manage the feasibility, completeness and clarity of specs by liaising closely with upstream partners in HQ (product development, etc). Review the specs with vendors in the context of intended use of product, cost expectations, material specs, manufacturability etc, and give feedback to HQ as appropriate.
Lead the development process, ensuring that high quality prototypes are created which address desired function, aesthetics, cost and manufacturability, including checking for quality, measurement, fit and adherence to construction standards. Provide options and recommendations to make improvement in the sample process.
Review, analyze and independently validate vendor cost information throughout the entire creation process. Ensure compliance to agreed cost standards and timelines. Independently negotiate with vendors for the best product cost to achieve the highest cost margin. Providing advanced costing and development analysis to manager and home office
Ensure all development samples (prototypes, merchant samples, and sales samples) are produced accurately with good quality and are shipped on time
Work collaboratively with other LO functions Material development, Production, QA, Technician, and Corporate Responsibility to ensure an on time buy ready and commercialization performance
Drive effective problem solving and continuous improvement. Proactively identify potential problems and make the appropriate recommendation to the management. Ensure accurate and timely updates of data management systems (PDM, Cognos, Share Point) where applicable.
Understand company and department strategy and effectively communicate those to FGVs and others Providing guidance and training to other team members, including cross-functional internal and external partners. Include: FGV, QA, Product Creation Team, etc.


YOU ARE
An effective communicator with End-to-end mindset
A problem solver who is able to identify alternative solutions
Self-developing and people/result oriented
Responsible, careful, discipline, respected, willing to learn, flexible, proactive, team-work
Negotiation, influencing, time managements, presentation, efficiency

YOU HAVE
4+ years experience in Apparel developments (prefer working in outerwear products like light/heavy Jackets, quilting/down and complicated products)
Must have experiences working in cost breakdown, consumptions, material usages, labor cost, packaging cost
Experiences in Sample management (Protos, SMS, Confirmation samples, virtual sample)
Experiences in Commercialization. Must be familiar with garment construction methods and manufacturing, material testing methods and appropriate interaction of lab results as they pertain to products
Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Vietnamese. Proficiency in Microsoft excel, word, access, power point; visual acuity for analyzing cost, samples and color and related reports.
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
EEO/AA Employer/Vets/Disabled/Race/Ethnicity/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Age


Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.


This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.