Job Description

VP, General Merchandise Manager (GMM) – Apparel and Footwear Join to apply for the VP, General Merchandise Manager (GMM) – Apparel and Footwear role at REI Overview As the Vice President, General Merchandise Manager (GMM), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and success of our omni-channel product strategy for apparel and footwear. The VP, GMM is responsible for creating and executing multi-year, annual, and seasonal merchandising strategies that align with the Co-op’s goals and deliver results. This role is key in delivering consumer-centric product assortments across multiple categories and vendors within Apparel and Footwear, driving sales growth, sustainable profitability, and increased market share in the outdoor retail sector. You will ensure REI remains relevant by understanding and forecasting market trends, emerging brands, and consumer behaviors to inform inventory, store space, marketing, and internal resources. The role involves leading a merchant team managing vendor relationships, product assortment, pricing, promotions, and vendor terms for over $2B in revenue. Collaboration with senior leaders across marketing, planning, supply chain, and other teams is essential to develop a compelling omni-channel go-to-market plan and build a robust assortment planning process. Leading the Way Create a compelling, customer-focused strategic vision and mobilize cross-functional teams to execute it effectively, supporting company growth priorities. Drive accountability for strategies into actionable plans and ensure successful delivery across teams and partners. Support implementation of company programs, processes, and practices that promote a consumer-focused strategy with compelling marketing and branding. Collaborate with Allocation, Assortment, Marketing, Digital, Store Operations, Finance, and Data teams to ensure alignment and execution of strategies. Leverage data insights to inform strategic decisions and optimize product assortments and allocations. Inspire and challenge the team to achieve business results, holding them accountable. Provide coaching and leadership to achieve division, company, and customer goals. Monitor operational metrics, report trends, and address variances and issues. Foster a positive, team-oriented environment aligned with REI’s values. Demonstrate a passion for REDI and DEI initiatives. Build high-performing teams that learn, solve problems, and drive results. Your Planning & Navigating Requirements Develop and communicate a clear merchandising vision, strategy, and 3-year roadmap aligned with business objectives. Identify, develop, and implement new strategies, initiatives, and product lines. Drive initiatives to enhance customer experience, increase market share, and meet financial targets. Define assortment architecture, category expansion, pricing strategies, and activity positioning. Mentor teams to execute strategies through the GTM calendar, expectations, and goals. Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape to inform product strategies. Partner with Data teams to analyze sales and market data for informed decision-making. Work with the Allocation team to ensure optimal product distribution and inventory management. Collaborate with marketing and visual merchandising to support product presentation strategies. Provide strategic leadership to meet financial and transformation goals. Responsibilities And Qualifications 12+ years of experience, including 8+ years leading teams in merchandising and strategy in retail or brands. Bachelor’s degree in business or related field; master’s preferred. Strong industry knowledge, brand awareness, and trend understanding. Proven change agent with experience evolving merchandising teams through people, process, and technology. Data-driven leader with expertise in consumer trends and growth areas. Understanding of product lifecycle, vendor negotiations, and KPIs. Successful track record in executing strategic initiatives from concept to implementation. Ability to assess risks proactively and collaborate on mitigation strategies. Knowledge of product development, sourcing, and manufacturing processes. Experience with demand and supply planning, forecasting, and analytics. Results-oriented with conflict resolution, prioritization, and change management skills. Inclusive leadership style capable of engaging all organizational levels. People management skills including coaching, relationship management, and team development. Excellent communication skills and ability to inspire trust and collaboration. Closing At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We value diversity and seek employees who foster a culture of respect, belonging, and continuous learning. Pay Transparency We promote pay equity and transparency, providing a salary range based on location and experience. Factors influencing pay include skills, experience, and geographic location. REI offers benefits including employee discounts, health benefits, retirement plans, and paid time off. For details, see our benefits overview. Pay Range 275,000 - 325,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr REI

Job Tags

Similar Jobs