International Merchandising Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced International Merchandising Manager to join our dynamic Merchandising team. As the International Merchandising Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing our merchandising strategies and assortment on a global scale for Denim, Apparel and Footwear, as well as maintaining consistent positioning of the brand and our product stories across all regions. Initially, the focus will be on the emerging markets of Mexico, Central & South America, expanding scope into additional markets in future years.

This role requires a strategic thinker, a strong collaborator, and a creative problem-solver with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences. The extremely broad scope and dynamic nature of this role require a strong ability to focus, prioritize and then be able to pivot and flex these priorities as the demands of the business shift.

You’ll Make a Difference By

Strategy:

• Developing and executing comprehensive merchandising strategies in partnership with Market Leads that align with the company's overall business objectives


• Analyzing market trends, customer preferences, and competitor activities in cooperation with Ariat’s local/regional international partners to identify opportunities and potential risks


• Analyzing market data and providing valuable insights in cooperation with Ariat’s local/regional international partners to help make informed decisions regarding product pricing, positioning, and market entry strategies


• Creating and implementing plans to position products effectively in international markets while considering cultural and regional differences.

Product Selection, Assortment Planning and Pricing: 

• Collaborating with Denim, Apparel and Footwear Product Merchandising teams to curate diverse and compelling product assortment for each international market based on their market strategies. 


• Researching and evaluating market-specific product needs and new product requests to maximize brand impact and broadest market potential.


• Conducting regular product performance analysis to determine which items to promote, retain, or discontinue based on sales data, customer feedback, and market trends.


• Actively engaging in rolling 3-year forward-looking business forecast process with Planning, Merchandising, Finance and Market Leads to ensure global alignment, and monitoring and adjusting projections based on changes in market conditions and evolving product, sales, or marketing strategies.


• Working closely with Market Leads to determine competitive pricing strategies that maximize profitability while remaining attractive to customers in different regions.

Go-to-Market Process/Marketing:

• Collaborating with Marketing, Market Leads and Distributors to align messaging and promotions with product launches and seasonal events.


• Working with cross-functional teams to develop and implement product launch strategies tailored to each target market.


• Coordinating with regional teams to understand market-specific challenges and opportunities, providing necessary support to achieve sales targets.


• Assisting with other responsibilities based on business needs.

About You

• This is an in-office position, expected to work in-person collaboratively with the teams located in Ariat’s San Leandro, California office, as well with remote partners via Zoom.


• Bachelor’s degree


• Proven experience in Merchandising or buying (curating assortments for specific markets or channels), ideally in International Merchandising 


• Footwear/Apparel/Denim/Accessories experience preferred.


• Strong understanding of Brand positioning and creating a consistent brand experience globally.


• Learning mindset, eager to understand global markets, cultural nuances, and regional consumer preferences.


• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and draw actionable insights.


• Demonstrated experience in developing successful merchandising strategies that drive revenue and customer engagement.


• Proficient in using merchandising tools and analytics software.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and cultures.


• Strong leadership and influencing capabilities.


• Results-driven, with a commitment to achieving and exceeding targets.


• Willingness to travel internationally to key markets to build strong relationships and gain a better understanding of local markets.


• Bi-lingual in English/Spanish desirable

About Ariat

Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors, and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.  

The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $115,000 per year.

The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data for geographic locations. Ariat in good faith believes that this posted compensation range is accurate for this role at this location at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

Ariat’s holistic benefits package for full-time team members includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options


• Expanded wellness and mental health benefits


• Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid volunteer days


• 401(k) with company match


• Bonus incentive plans


• Team member discount on Ariat merchandise

Note: Availability of benefits may be subject to location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. Ariat reserves the right to alter these benefits in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Ariat will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws. Ariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local law. Ariat is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process, email [email protected].

Please see our Employment Candidate Privacy Policy at www.ariat.com/careers to learn more about how we collect, use, retain and disclose Personal Information.

Please note that Ariat does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agreement, Ariat will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter/agency placement fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed Agreement, Ariat explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted directly to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Ariat.