Footwear Merchandising Contractor

The Footwear Merchandising Contractor supports and develops a specific business category by helping drive category strategy, managing the product line’s look and feel, and delivering financial and efficiency targets. The role partners closely with Product Managers on organization, line planning, product strategy, development, and launch activities, while evaluating category performance and building deep product knowledge across current lines, upcoming launches, and the development pipeline.

• Responsible for managing a category – subject to review of the category lead
• Making decisions for the category subject to review and approval
• Developing footwear product line vision and strategy that integrates with the overall long-term vision for the ARIAT brand
• Taking primary responsibility for maintaining and updating all merchandising‑related documents utilized by the product manager
• Taking lead in managing product samples for the Product Manager
• Partnering with PM team with pricing, margin‑related initiatives and accuracy of all printed & online materials
• Handling packaging for the Product Manager
• Overseeing product assortment and support with marketing and tradeshow coordinators
• Gathering market data via selling reports, industry publications, events, and shows to help identify and expand on Ariat market opportunities
• Supporting the team in creating the strategy to present to product teams including: product boards, focus groups, event participation, competitive pricing analysis, and customer profiles
• Participating in product brainstorms and assisting in setting up project lists and briefs in support of project list
• Presenting product to various groups of company VPs and sales team members
• Performing market research of various brands both western and mainstream – keeping a pulse on western brand launches and brand sites
• Being the centric & SAP master‑support PM on all centric and SAP requirements
• Collaborating and helping articulate target consumer demographics, psychographics and how Ariat footwear will fulfill “unmet needs”

• Collaborating and helping create and manage seasonal merchandising plans and manage projects through the development process.
• Partnering with seasonal market research and brainstorming
• Partnering with seasonal merchandising plans
• Partnering with seasonal creative product briefs
• Partnering with the product management team on the management of line reviews, pre‑lines/market feedback, final line decisions and launch plans

• Responsible to deliver data for packaging, hangtags, catalog, web site, and B2B
• Coordinating with Product Manager to ensure product is correct and available for photo shoots requirements
• Partnering with Product Manager with prep for sales meetings, events, and customer visits.
• Managing requesting and accuracy of Product Sell Sheets.
• Contacting Sales Reps for follow‑up on product meetings
• Attending pre‑lines on an as needed basis

• Analyzing each season’s selling by style and color as well as channel distribution.
• Partnering with Product Manager to identify close out or phase out opportunities and plan life cycles of product
• Completing weekly and monthly analysis on bookings

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Adapts quickly to change and growth.
• Maintains a professional and collaborative work environment with others.
• Requires problem‑solving skills through gathering information and feedback from management and team members.
• Ability to multitask and adjust to shifting priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Possesses and executes exceptional organizational and communication skills.
• Exhibits exceptional writing skills.
• Works within a collaborative Team Environment.
• Maintains Exceptional Interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking and strategic planning needed to execute Principal Duties of position.
• Complies with company policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel.
• Knowledge of western industry is a plus, but not necessary.
• Interest in product merchandising and fashion preferred
• Detail‑oriented

Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian…