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Backcountry is seeking a Merchandise Manager for its Bike category, which spans complete bikes, frames, and components across five banners: Bike Tires Direct, Backcountry, Competitive Cyclist, Steep & Cheap, and Marketplace. You will own the open-to-buy budget, vendor relationships, and day-to-day buying decisions while mentoring a team of buyers and junior merchants.
In your first 6–12 months, success means establishing strong vendor partnerships that deliver margin improvement, tightening assortment accuracy across banners, and building the cadence and KPI framework your team operates on. This is a lean team where you will own a lot, move fast, and make decisions with full end-to-end responsibility.
Key responsibilities include executing the merchandising and sourcing plan across complete bikes, frames, and components (drivetrains, wheels, brakes, suspension, cockpit, pedals) for each banner; driving sales, margin, and inventory turn goals across all channels and platforms; and managing the open-to-buy budget. You will source and assess merchandise by evaluating market trends, cross-component and build-kit compatibility, and historical selling data.
Vendor management is critical: you will build and maintain relationships with bike brands and component manufacturers, negotiate pricing, terms, key buys, and promotional windows to maximize gross margin, and identify and onboard new vendors to strengthen the supply chain. You will establish and enforce quality standards through supplier collaboration and regular product quality checks.
On the inventory and analytics side, you will own SKU/PO worksheets and purchase orders under tight deadlines, manage inventory flow by setting receipt plans and sell-through targets, and leverage sales data and analytics to forecast demand and refine procurement plans. You will monitor category KPIs, evaluate vendor performance, and recommend actions to hit profitability targets.
You will apply deep technical knowledge of bike systems to ensure assortment compatibility and spec accuracy, uphold category content standards and visual merchandising, and partner with Planning on budgets and forecasting. You will also guide and mentor the Bike buying team, supporting buyer development and fostering a collaborative work environment.
The interview process includes a recruiter screen, hiring manager interview, take-home assignment, panel interview with leadership, and a mandatory in-person interview at the Cottonwood Heights office.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree (Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred)
- 10+ years in retail buying or merchandising with proven track record in strategic sourcing, vendor management, and e-commerce
- Hands-on technical knowledge of bikes, frames, and components (drivetrains, groupsets, brake systems, wheel/tire standards, suspension, cockpit/contact points, frame geometry and materials) with ability to evaluate cross-component and build-kit compatibility
- Deep understanding of cycling and outdoor retail market, customer preferences, and industry dynamics
- Proven experience in inventory management, demand forecasting, and procurement optimization
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated negotiation ability
- Firm understanding of retail math and merchandising fundamentals
- Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and time management
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; strong collaborator across functions
- Proficient in Microsoft Office with advanced Excel skills; experience with purchasing software and systems
- Working knowledge of AI tools and their practical application in merchandising workflows (demand forecasting, assortment planning, trend analysis)
- Genuine passion for cycling and Backcountry's products
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed
PREFERRED:
- Direct experience in the bike industry with relationships to major bike and component brands
- Experience managing or mentoring a buying team
- Familiarity with marketplace merchandising alongside owned-inventory channels
