Job Description
Position: Product Manager / Merchant
Reports to: Director of Merchandising
Are you a strategic and customer-focused merchandising professional with a passion for equestrian products? We're looking for a Product Manager / Merchant to drive growth, maximize margins, and curate a compelling product assortment that meets the needs of riders and horse owners. In this role, you'll play a key part in product selection, vendor management, and business strategy while working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure success.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape product offerings, introduce innovative solutions, and enhance the customer experience in the equestrian industry. If you have deep knowledge of equestrian products, strong analytical skills, and a talent for negotiation, we'd love to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
1. Merchandising Strategy & Product Assortment
Develop and execute product strategies to meet the needs of English disciplines, stable products, and other designated categories.
Identify market trends and introduce new, high-performing products that enhance rider and horse experience.
Optimize product selection, pricing, and sourcing strategies to maximize profitability and customer satisfaction.
Lead seasonal planning, including new product development, line reviews, product launches, and in-season performance analysis.
Ensure new products have a strong market position, clear features, and compelling benefits.
Address product-related challenges with a customer-centric, strategic, and financial focus.
2. Vendor & Supplier Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors to negotiate pricing and secure exclusive products.
Lead the development of private label lines while managing national brand assortments.
Ensure competitive pricing and high-quality standards across all products.
3. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Align merchandising, purchasing, and sales teams to drive demand, margin, and profitability goals.
Collaborate with marketing, inventory planning, product development, and digital merchandising to execute successful product launches and sales initiatives.
Stay informed on industry trends and customer feedback to position the company as a leader in the category.
4. Financial Planning & Performance Analysis
Analyze sales, margins, and competitive data to identify growth opportunities.
Develop and refine pricing strategies to balance competitiveness with profitability.
Plan seasonal assortments and collaborate with inventory teams to maintain optimal stock levels.
5. Customer-Centric Innovation
Identify and address customer pain points by developing innovative product solutions across rider apparel, tack, stable equipment, and horse care.
Maintain a deep understanding of equestrian needs to offer products that enhance safety, quality, and performance.
6. Digital Merchandising & E-commerce Optimization
Optimize online product presentation with accurate descriptions, high-quality images, and compelling selling points.
Work with marketing and digital merchandising teams to develop engaging digital strategies that drive sales and customer engagement.
7. Performance Tracking & Reporting
Monitor key performance metrics, including demand, margin performance, item productivity, and stock levels.
Conduct seasonal performance reviews and develop action plans for continuous improvement.
Ensure consistent in-season monitoring to optimize product performance.
Success Metrics:
Demand Growth: Achieve and surpass sales targets.
Margin Optimization: Drive profitability through strategic pricing and sourcing.
New Product Success: Measure launch effectiveness based on demand and customer feedback.
Stock Management: Maintain optimal inventory levels for key products.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in business, retail merchandising, or a related field, or 7-10 years of relevant experience.
Deep knowledge of English riding disciplines and equestrian stable products.
Strong leadership, negotiation, and collaboration skills.
Proven ability to analyze product performance and drive sales growth.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Passion for equestrian products and a strong understanding of customer needs.
Experience leading teams, effective communication skills, and the ability to gain buy-in across departments.
Location & Travel:
This is a remote position with occasional domestic and international travel required. Candidates must reside in one of the following states: AL, AZ, GA, IA, IN, MA, MI, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TX, VA, WI, and be available to work Eastern time zone hours.
If you're ready to make an impact in the equestrian industry and thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment, apply today!
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 75,000.00 200,000.00 Per Year
Job Tags
Full time, Seasonal work, Remote job,