Jansport: Associate Merchandise Manager

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

At JanSport, we believe our brand embodies the spirit of self-expression and discovery.  Our packs reflect us as people – rugged, ready, and inspired.  We’re built to pursue daily adventure and help you discover your world.

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 express ourselves with the bags we carry and the positive movements we support, JanSport just may be the place for you.  

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit JanSport Careers or www.jansport.com.

Jansport: Associate Merchandise Manager

What will you do?

A day in the life of an Associate Merchant at JanSport looks a little like this.

VF Packs Organization is looking for a fun and energetic Merchandising associate to support the planning and execution of the seasonal product line for the global JanSport brands.  This role provides the critical link between product creation, marketing, sales, and supply chain.  Partnering with these cross functional teams, the Associate Merchandise Manager assists in defining the consumer, creating a differentiated brand vision for the business segment, and driving that point of view into the marketplace.  From stores to online, the top candidate will be a storytelling enthusiast who will support commercialization of key product strategies.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Support the merchandising team for the product planning process and Go-To-Market milestone meetings, with a focus on supporting organizational strategic goals.
• Provide analysis and integration of global data sets (sell-in, sell-through, marketplace data, etc.) to build a foundation for seasonal line architecture and drive actionable business recommendations and tactics.
• Assist in the creation of consumer centric seasonal product briefs, merchandise strategies, and assortment plans for assigned consumer segment to deliver revenue and margin targets.
• Partner with design and development teams to deliver on seasonal briefs, track progress, and troubleshoot roadblocks for consumer segment.
• Ensure clear and consistent communication with cross-functional teams to drive a holistic and successful GTM launch
• Deliver inspirational product and sales meeting presentations that communicate a clear brand and consumer segment point of view.
• Maintain line plan and ensure accuracy throughout the season.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day.  For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel.  Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 2+ years of experience and professional achievements

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Prior experience in buying, merchandising, and/or product management in the apparel/equipment industry
• Project management experience including the ability to assist implementation of strategy
• Relationship building and collaboration skills; ability to be influential and build strong cross-functional partnerships
• Analytical proficiency; retail math, sales trends, and marketplace insights
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Organized and detailed oriented
• Understanding of product development calendar, timelines, and deliverables
• Advanced Microsoft Office expertise; Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Intellectual curiosity, a solutions-oriented mindset, and a desire to seek out creative opportunities

• Location requirement: Denver, CO; 3 Days a Week in Office

There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred.

• Bachelor’s Degree, Retail Merchandising or Business administration preferred
• Experience working in the apparel/equipment industry
• Experience with backpacks/bags a plus

What do we offer you?

At JanSport, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you.  That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people.  We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life.  We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on re