Packs & Equipment Merchandiser

Job Title: Packs & Equipment Merchandiser

Job Level: Mid-Senior Level

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Location: Cotopaxi HQ: Salt Lake City, Utah (Hybrid or Remote in MST or PST)

Job Compensation: $95-125k plus annual bonus potential

About Cotopaxi:
We make adventure travel gear to empower people to see the world and make it better. As a Certified B Corporation, our Gear for Good Ⓡ promise drives everything we do - from ethical and sustainable sourcing to products built to last and create lasting change. Through the Cotopaxi Foundation, we dedicate 1% of our revenue to nonprofits that fight poverty and support communities in need. So far, we’ve helped more than 4.25 million people experiencing extreme poverty - and we’re just getting started.

Our team is full of passionate, curious, and mission-driven people who love adventure and believe business can be a force for good. Whether you’re working from a retail shop, our Salt Lake City HQ, your home, or your van in the woods, you’ll find connection, collaboration, and a shared drive to make a difference.

Job Overview (What This Role Is All About):

Cotopaxi is looking for an experienced Packs & Equipment Merchandiser to own category strategy and execution as we enter the next phase of brand growth. This role drives both BTB sell-in and DTC business, sitting at the intersection of product, sales, marketing, and our EC team - requiring someone who is equally comfortable setting long-term category vision and rolling up their sleeves in the day-to-day.

We're intentionally open to a range of experience, from Manager to Associate Director. The scope of ownership and compensation will reflect what the right candidate brings. What matters most: deep expertise in the packs and/or equipment market, strong analytical instincts, and a genuine understanding of consumer behavior and product life cycle.

This role reports to the Chief Product Officer and sits within a merchandising team that's growing alongside the brand. If you're passionate about the packs and equipment space and want your work to fuel a global movement using business as a force for good, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Responsibilities (How You’ll Make An Impact):

• Own category sales and profitability, including in-season performance tracking, OTB management, and action-oriented responses to business trends.
• Build and drive seasonal product strategies grounded in marketplace analysis, internal analytics, and consumer trends - and gain cross-functional alignment across product, sales, marketing, and EC.
• Lead a 3-5 year assortment architecture roadmap, inclusive of full product life cycle planning and quarterly market share research presented at QBR meetings.
• Manage all aspects of line management from concept to commercialization, including line plan maintenance, product briefs, margin analysis, and retail assortment optimization across channels.
• Lead category presence at go-to-market meetings, trade shows, and sales meetings, including seasonal workbook creation, asset delivery, and cross-functional education on product features and benefits.
• Partner across design, development, and product functions to ensure execution aligns with category intent, profitability targets, and timelines.
• Manage special projects including SMU and Collaboration products, sample ordering strategy, and seasonal budget accountability.

The Ideal Candidate (What You’ll Bring to the Role):

• BA/BS in Business or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in product line management or as a buyer/merchandiser in the outdoor or lifestyle industry; packs and/or equipment experience required.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including OTB management and margin analysis.
• Experience leading go-to-market processes across BTB and DTC channels.
• Strong cross-functional project management skills with a track record of managing competing priorities and timelines.
• A category expert with genuine passion for the packs and equipment market.
• Strategic and analytical, with the ability to translate data and market insight into clear product decisions.
• A natural cross-functional leader who can align stakeholders and steer complex teams toward productive outcomes.
• Equally comfortable setting long-term vision and working in the details of execution.
• Entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented, and energized by a fast-moving environment.
• A humanitarian at heart - motivated by business as a force for good.

Job Benefits (Your Perks):

At Cotopaxi, we care deeply about our people. Our team is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to invest in their growth, well-being, and success. We prioritize fair wages, meaningful benefits, and an employee experience that supports balance, belonging, and purpose - inside and outside of work.

Here is a snapshot of the benefits we provide:

Health Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision benefits with HSA, FSA, and DCSA options.
• Company-paid basic life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Voluntary accident and critical illness insurance.
• Company-paid employee assistance program.

Wellness Benefits:

• Company-paid volunteer time.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Unlimited responsible PTO.
• In The Wild Time: Built-in time to recharge and give back, including Summer Fridays and Impact Days spent supporting our local communities.

Uniquely Us:

• Enjoy deep product discounts with 60% off Cotopaxi gear - perfect for living out your next adventure in style.
• Gear up for the outdoors with exclusive discounts from partner outdoor and lifestyle brands.
• Grow personally and professionally through thoughtfully curated learning and development opportunities.
• Stay connected and celebrate often with regular in-person and virtual events that bring our team together, no matter where you work.
• Be part of a vibrant, values-driven culture that champions people, innovation, and adventure in everything we do.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

We’re on a mission to Do Good - for people and the planet - and we know that starts with our team. Cotopaxi is proud to be a brand that celebrates every person for who they are and what they bring to the table. No matter your background, age, race, gender, ability, or faith - you belong here.

You don’t have to come from the outdoor industry to make an impact with us. We value curiosity, compassion, and the courage to collaborate openly. So tell us your story - how your journey has shaped you and how you’d like to help Cotopaxi Do Good. We can’t wait to meet you.

Cotopaxi participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.