Category Manager; Special Projects & Partnerships

Welcome to Herschel Supply, where we make quality products for a lifetime of better journeys. Designed with timeless form and intuitive function in Vancouver, Canada, every piece is backed by our signature warranty for wherever you’re going next.

Since 2009, we’ve never stopped taking risks. We’re constantly innovating, growing our community and heading on new journeys. We’ve gotten lost in new cities, made lifelong friends all over the world, road tripped with no GPS, and explored a ton of creative pursuits along the way.

Putting yourself out there isn’t easy. It means stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new. It might be scary at first, but it also leads to the best parts of life. Inspiring others to take that leap is what we live for. Wherever you’re headed, we’re here to help you pack your future with possibilities.

So, come along for the ride, get inspired and Put Yourself Out There.

As the Category Manager (Special Projects & Partnerships) , you will play a key role in bringing some of our most exciting and strategic product initiatives to life. In this role, you will lead the execution and lifecycle management of all non-core product projects including collaborations, SMUs, and OMUs, sitting at the intersection of product, partnerships, and commercial strategy.

Reporting to the VP of Product Design & Innovation, you will transform creative partnership opportunities into commercially successful product assortments, ensuring every project is executed seamlessly from concept to launch. Acting as the bridge between external collaborators and internal teams, you will drive cross-functional alignment, operational excellence, and flawless execution while helping shape initiatives that strengthen the brand, excite our customers, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

At Herschel, we thrive on in-person collaboration and the creativity that comes from working closely together. This role is based at our Vancouver HQ, with an in-office schedule from Monday through Thursday.

Working closely with Product Design and Development, Marketing, Sales, and Sourcing, the Category Manager will be responsible for the following:

Partnership Merchandising & Execution

• Act as the primary category lead for assigned collaborations, ensuring that determined partner requirements are translated into a cohesive and commercially sound line architecture.
• Manage the  Special Project  product mix, ensuring that seasonal stories are accurately reflected in the line plan and meet regional distribution requirements.
• Own the operational setup and upload of partnership collections into appropriate partner portals, ensuring external collaborators have 100% accurate technical data and imagery.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to ensure the commercial positioning and pricing for limited-edition drops are synced across all global systems.

Operational Stewardship

• Own the end-to-end system lifecycle for all Special Projects within the PLM, including style creation, attribute mapping, and SKU-level hierarchy.
• Funnel all special requests (SMU/OMU) through standard system protocols to ensure they meet brand quality, cost, and data standards.
• Champion the use of project management tools () to provide the Product, Sales, and Planning teams with real-time visibility on partnership milestones and action items.
• Validate style header information specifically for partnership carry-overs and net-new collaborator SKUs (dimensions, care codes, and HS codes).

Lifecycle Management

• Partner with Sourcing and Development to track cost targets and royalty implications during the prototype phase of all special projects.
• Build and manage partnership-specific global price lists, executing system-wide uploads for exclusive launch windows and promotional periods.
• Lead the end-of-life strategy for seasonal collaborations, managing packaging requirements and inventory exit plans.
• Support the coordination of physical samples, print strike-offs, and development details specifically for partner reviews and Go-To-Market briefings.

• 100% accuracy in PLM setup, pricing uploads, and portal…