REI

Vice President, General Merchandise Manager (GMM) – Apparel and Footwear (Softgoods)

Posted 21 days ago

Job summary

  • Job post source

    This job is directly from REI

  • Job overview

    The Vice President, General Merchandise Manager (GMM) at REI leads the strategic direction and execution of apparel and footwear merchandising to drive sales growth, profitability, and market share in the outdoor specialty retail sector.

  • Responsibilities and impact

    The role involves creating multi-year and seasonal merchandising strategies, leading a merchant team managing vendor relations and product assortments, collaborating cross-functionally to execute omni-channel go-to-market plans, leveraging data insights for decision-making, and fostering a positive, accountable team environment.

  • Experience and skills

    Candidates need 12+ years of experience with at least 8 years in merchandising leadership, a bachelor's degree (master's preferred), strong strategic and data-driven leadership skills, knowledge of product lifecycle, vendor negotiations, financial KPIs, and experience in change management and team development.

  • Work environment and culture

    REI emphasizes a customer-focused, inclusive leadership style with commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering collaboration and a positive team-oriented environment.

  • Company information

    REI is an outdoor specialty retailer focused on omni-channel product strategy and sustainable growth in apparel and footwear categories.

  • Team overview

    The candidate will lead a robust merchant team responsible for $2B+ in revenue, working closely with senior leaders across marketing, commercial channels, planning, and supply chain.

  • Unique job features

    This role uniquely integrates strategic leadership with cross-functional collaboration and data-driven merchandising in a large-scale outdoor retail environment.

Company overview

REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is a specialty outdoor retailer that provides gear and apparel for activities such as camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, and paddling. The company operates on a co-op model, meaning it is owned by its members who pay a one-time fee to join and receive dividends on their purchases. Founded in 1938 by Lloyd and Mary Anderson in Seattle, REI has grown to become one of the largest consumer cooperatives in the United States, emphasizing sustainability, community engagement, and a commitment to the environment. They make money through retail sales, membership fees, and offering outdoor adventure classes and trips.

How to land this job

  • Position your resume to highlight your extensive leadership experience in merchandising strategy, especially in apparel and footwear within omni-channel retail environments, showcasing your ability to drive multi-year strategic plans and cross-functional collaboration.

  • Emphasize your skills in data-driven decision making, vendor management, product lifecycle oversight, and your proven track record in managing large teams and multi-billion dollar revenue categories.

  • Apply through multiple platforms including REI’s corporate careers page, LinkedIn, and relevant retail industry job boards to maximize visibility and application reach.

  • Connect on LinkedIn with REI merchandising leaders and senior executives in the Apparel and Footwear division; start conversations by referencing recent REI initiatives on omni-channel retail or expressing admiration for their commitment to DEI and customer-centric strategies.

  • Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'omni-channel product strategy,' 'vendor negotiations,' 'assortment planning,' 'data-driven merchandising,' 'cross-functional collaboration,' and 'strategic leadership' to ensure your resume ranks highly in automated screenings.

  • Utilize Jennie Johnson’s Power Apply feature to automate tailoring your resume for this role, identify all relevant application channels, and find LinkedIn connections to network with, allowing you to focus more effectively on preparing for interviews and strategic job search activities.

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