Merchandise Manager, Bike

Jobgether; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Employee discounts

Professional development & AI tools

Autonomy and ownership of category

Job summary

Jobgether is seeking a Merchandise Manager, Bike, to lead the category strategy and financial performance for a broad cycling assortment across multiple retail banners. You will own the open-to-buy, drive sales and margins, and build differentiated product offerings through strong supplier partnerships.

The role requires hands-on buying, sourcing, and inventory management with end-to-end accountability. You will mentor buyers, collaborate with Planning, Marketing, and Creative teams, and travel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related discipline preferred.
• 10+ years in retail buying/merchandising with strategic sourcing and vendor management.
• Experience with inventory management, demand forecasting, procurement optimization, and category financial performance.
• Direct cycling industry experience with established brand relationships preferred.
• Experience mentoring buying teams preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead merchandising and sourcing strategies across bikes, frames, and components.
• Own the open-to-buy budget and day-to-day buying decisions across banners.
• Drive category sales, gross margin, inventory turnover, and profitability targets.
• Evaluate market trends and customer preferences to build differentiated assortments.
• Build and maintain relationships with brands and manufacturers, negotiate terms.
• Identify new suppliers and onboarding opportunities to expand assortment.
• Forecast demand using sales data and analytics to refine procurement plans.
• Monitor KPIs and vendor performance to meet financial targets.
• Mentor buyers and junior merchants; lead cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Merchandising

Category leadership

Vendor management

Sourcing

Forecasting

Negotiation

Data analytics

Team leadership

Travel willingness

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Supply Chain / related

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Merchandising systems

Purchasing software

AI tools in merchandising

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Merchandise Manager, Bike based in the United States. The Merchandise Manager, Bike will lead the merchandising strategy and financial performance of a broad cycling category spanning complete bikes, frames, and components across five retail banners. This role combines strategic category ownership with hands-on buying, sourcing, vendor negotiations, and inventory management. You will oversee open-to-buy budgets, drive sales and margin performance, and ensure each banner delivers a differentiated, technically accurate assortment. Working within a lean, fast-moving team, you will have significant autonomy and end-to-end accountability for category decisions. You will also mentor buyers and junior merchants while building strong supplier partnerships and improving operational processes. The position is ideal for an experienced cycling retail professional who brings deep product expertise, commercial judgment, and a passion for developing people and growing a category.

Accountabilities

Category Strategy and Financial Performance:

• Execute merchandising and sourcing strategies across complete bikes, frames, and components, including drivetrains, wheels, brakes, suspension, cockpit, and pedals.
• Own the open-to-buy budget and day-to-day buying decisions across five retail banners and multiple sales channels.
• Drive category sales, gross margin, inventory turnover, and profitability targets.
• Evaluate market trends, historical sales performance, customer preferences, and product compatibility to build differentiated assortments.

Vendor Management and Sourcing:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with bicycle brands and component manufacturers.
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, key buys, and promotional opportunities to improve gross margin and category performance.
• Identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers to strengthen the vendor network and expand assortment opportunities.
• Work with suppliers to establish product quality standards and conduct regular quality checks.

Buying, Inventory, and Analytics:

• Manage SKU and purchase order worksheets, including order quantities, financial allocations, product styles, and size and color breakdowns.
• Oversee inventory flow through receipt planning, sell-through targets, replenishment decisions, and inventory reduction strategies.
• Partner with Planning to develop exit strategies for slow-moving products and optimize inventory levels.
• Use sales data, customer insights, and analytical tools to forecast demand and refine procurement plans.
• Monitor category KPIs and vendor performance, identifying opportunities and corrective actions to meet financial targets.

Product Accuracy and Customer Experience:

• Apply technical cycling knowledge to ensure product specifications, component compatibility, and build-kit configurations are accurate.
• Support vendors, planning partners, and customer-facing teams with informed product guidance.
• Maintain category content standards, visual merchandising, and product taxonomy to improve the customer experience and conversion.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Creative teams on promotions, campaigns, and category selling strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Team Leadership:

• Work closely with Planning on budgets, forecasting, inventory management, and KPI reporting.
• Lead, guide, and mentor buyers and junior merchants, supporting their professional development and performance.
• Establish effective team routines, processes, and performance frameworks that support accountability and continuous improvement.
• Foster a collaborative, ownership-driven environment while maintaining pace and execution quality.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in retail buying or merchandising, with a strong track record in strategic sourcing, vendor management, and e-commerce.
• Demonstrated experience in inventory management, demand forecasting, procurement optimization, and category financial performance.
• Direct experience in the cycling industry, including established relationships with major bicycle and component brands, is preferred.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring a buying team is preferred.

Technical Cycling Expertise:

• Hands-on knowledge of bicycles, frames, and components, including drivetrains and groupsets, braking systems, wheel and tire standards, suspension, cockpit and contact points, frame geometry, and frame materials.
• Ability to assess cross-component compatibility and evaluate complete bike and build-kit configurations.
• Strong understanding of the cycling and outdoor retail markets, customer preferences, and industry trends.

Merchandising and Commercial Skills:

• Strong understanding of retail mathematics, merchandising fundamentals, assortment planning, and buying processes.
• Proven negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret sales trends, evaluate vendor performance, and make data-informed commercial decisions.
• Familiarity with marketplace merchandising alongside traditional owned-inventory retail channels is preferred.

Tools and Technology:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly advanced Excel.
• Experience using purchasing software and merchandising systems.
• Working knowledge of AI tools and their practical application in merchandising workflows, including demand forecasting, assortment planning, and trend analysis.

Communication and Leadership:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management, including the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Ability to lead and develop team members while taking ownership of decisions and outcomes.
• Genuine passion for cycling and outdoor products.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.

Location and Interview Requirements:

• Remote position based in the United States, with candidates in the Mountain or Pacific time zones preferred.
• A mandatory in-person interview at the company's Cottonwood Heights office is required before an offer can be made. Candidates must be willing and able to attend.

Benefits

• Paid time off policies.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• A variety of supplemental insurance policies.
• Employee discounts across the company's portfolio of brands.
• Opportunities to build and lead a buying team with direct ownership of category outcomes.
• Professional and leadership development, including hands-on exposure to AI-driven merchandising tools.
• Significant autonomy and end-to-end responsibility for category strategy, vendor relationships, and financial performance.