Columbia Sportswear, Inc.:
Sr. Merchandiser - Equipment Job in Burlington, VT

Manage 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. Effectively negotiate with vendors for the best product cost to achieve the highest cost margin. Work collaboratively with sourcing to ensure products are sourced at suitable vendors that meet corporate financial expectations. Providing guidance and training to other team members, including cross-functional internal and external partners.

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
Lead and direct a successful commercialization of Columbia Sportswear product categories from initial concept through product delivery. Liaise with Corporate Sourcing, Costing and Production sites to ensure timely execution from sample stage to production. Driving analysis and validation of vendor cost information throughout the entire creation process. Ensure compliance to agreed standards. Effectively negotiate with vendors for the best product cost to achieve the highest cost margin. Work collaboratively with sourcing to ensure products are sourced at suitable vendors that meet corporate financial expectations. Providing guidance and training to other team members, including cross-functional internal and external partners.
HOWYOULLMAKE A DIFFERENCE

Source Plan Management
Create and enter seasonal source plan and cap type into PDM.
Determine best vendor based on brief and design requirements along with vendor capacity and capabilities

Raw Material Sourcing and Development
New season innovation/concept sample collection
Work with RM and FG vendors to source and develop raw materials
RM cost validation and negotiation
RM quality testing
Arrange needed RM proto yardage and delivery
Material and Trim color approval

Product Development/ Fit Skills
PDM Spec Sheet creation and updates
To Ensure fit consistency across gender and seasons, by communicating across HQ and Vendor teams, reviewing, and translating patterns with noted fit issues, instructions, and proto review feedback.
To develop the proto samples according to the design and ship the samples on time for style review meeting
To ensure the development can meet Columbias quality requirement and prevent the potential quality problem in bulk production
To ensure material compatibility quality testing meets standards and product needs.
To work with vendors for the less expensive version of CMT during the development and still maintain the required quality
To create or update the spec package timely after each generation of development until the development is commercialized

Costing Skills
To Provide pre-proto cost estimates to determine design and target alignment
To work out the reasonable/sustainable prices among the vendors and increase the margin for the company
To be able to analyse the standard cost structure and negotiate prices with vendors
To provide the suggestions when cost with challenge

Allocation Skills
To finalize the in-line and SRT allocation with the Sourcing team
To work out the dual source within our partners in case capacity issue at initial vendor

Buy Ready Skills
To ensure Direct development commercialization, color approval, EMB/Print development & testing are ready, special workmanship approved before the Buy issued

Team Player Skills
Collaborate with Material, Production, QA depts. to ensure production meet companys requirement and hit required On Time delivery
Anticipate potential problems and support solutions with prepared answers.
#LI-CC1



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
At least 6-8 years experience in Headwear, Handwear, Bags, Tents and/or Sleeping Bags / Textile field
Comprehensive knowledge of Headwear, Handwear, Equipment (Bags, Tents & Sleeping Bags) manufacturing production process
Knowledge of materials regarding the color lab, fabric finishing and functions
Good written and verbal communication skills with the colleagues in Head office and other Liaison offices
Independent minded and pro-actively solve problem efficiently and effectively


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.