KEEN · 2 weeks ago
Director, Merchandising, Utility
Portland, OR
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$170K/yr - $188K/yr
8+ years expKEEN is an independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, on a mission to create original and versatile products that inspire outside adventure. The Director of Merchandising for Utility oversees the merchandising strategy and commercial performance for the work boot product category, ensuring alignment with brand vision and market opportunities.
ApparelE-CommerceFashion
Responsibilities
Leads the end-to-end merchandising strategy for the Utility product line, ensuring alignment with brand vision, long-term business objectives, and market opportunities. Owns the seasonal line architecture and multi-year roadmap, driving a profitable and consumer-right assortment across categories, channels, and regions
Defines and optimizes the product portfolio through data-driven insights, managing lifecycle planning, SKU efficiency, margin performance, and segmentation strategies. Partners with Product, Sales, and Insights teams to translate market and consumer feedback into commercially viable opportunities—identifying whitespace, guiding franchise management, and informing new product initiatives
Oversees comprehensive market, competitor, and consumer analyses to inform product positioning, price architecture, and assortment decisions. Synthesizes insights to guide revenue planning, margin optimization, and strategic forecasting for divisional and enterprise-level planning
Directs the GTM process, ensuring seasonal strategies, launch timelines, and cross-functional alignment across Merchandising, Product, Sales, and Marketing. Leads the development of merchandising tools and selling assets (line plans, merch guides, price architecture, sell-in/sell-through tools) that clearly communicate product strategy and value
Serves as a key merchandising voice in pre-line, line review, and key account presentations. Provides strategic guidance to cross-functional partners to ensure assortments meet consumer needs, support revenue goals, and respond to competitive dynamics
Owns pricing frameworks, ensuring alignment with financial targets and market dynamics. Partners closely with Planning and Sales to ensure channel-right assortments, margin health, and profitable market penetration
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Merchandising, Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Retail Management, or related field required
Minimum eight (8) years of relevant experience in merchandising, category management, product strategy, or a related field with experience in a senior or strategic merchandising role, with direct experience leading assortment planning, pricing architecture, and go-to-market execution
Deep understanding of product lifecycle management, SKU rationalization, pricing architecture, and segmentation strategies
Strong grasp of consumer behavior, buying trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscape analysis
Experience with budgeting, forecasting, margin optimization, and sales performance analysis
Expertise in aligning merchandising strategy with marketing and sales initiatives for successful product launches
Knowledge of wholesale, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies
Ability to develop long-term merchandising plans that align with corporate growth objectives
Proficiency in evaluating sales data, market trends, and performance metrics to drive informed merchandising decisions
Strong ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and deliverables across teams
Skilled in partnering with Product, Sales, Marketing, and Finance to drive business success
Ability to present data-driven insights and strategies to leadership, sales teams, and key accounts
Experience with merchandising tools such as PLM software (e.g., Centric), ERP systems, and Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
Ability to pivot strategies based on market shifts, sales trends, and business needs
Ensures merchandising plans are executed with precision, aligning with brand and revenue goals
Stays ahead of emerging industry trends, technologies, and consumer expectations
Ability to support and lead merch focused long range plan for Keen Utility
Strong people management experience, leadership skillset
Benefits
Numerous benefits and perks
Specific health and welfare benefits
Company
KEEN
KEEN is a values led, outdoor footwear brand with a mission to responsibly create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Allison Lauchlan Endres
Partner Service Representative
Jake Rickrode
Pure Play Partners Sales Director North America
Recent News
2025-11-07
2025-08-22
Company data provided by crunchbase