Category Merchandiser

24 Seven is partnering with a top global sportswear client to help them find a Category Merchandiser for this onsite position in Portland, OR. This is a contract opportunity starting ASAP and scheduled to go until the end of January 2026 with potential to extend working 4 days a week onsite. While on contract, you’d be eligible for benefits including medical, dental, vision, and more.

Ideal Candidate: will have bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) and at least four years of experience in footwear or apparel merchandising, buying, or product creation within a retail, multi-brand, or digital environment. They are highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and advanced formulas.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Our client is seeking a product-driven consumerist who thrives in the fast pace of retail. This role partners cross-functionally (Buying, Planning, Visual Merchandising, Store Ops, Marketing, and Global Merchants) to bring assortments to life that best serve consumers. Success requires strong business acumen, multitasking across seasons, and a deep understanding of trends, consumers, and the marketplace.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH
You’ll work closely with fellow merchants, buyers and cross-functional teams within the brand; in particular Digital and Stores Buying, Consumer Merchandising, Planning, Allocation, Visual Merchandising and Brand Marketing. You’ll also work with finance, operations and the insights/analytics teams; relying on business reporting which includes quantitative and qualitative metrics on sales, inventory and consumer behaviors.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

• Own the process of bringing the seasonal footwear assortment to life across Direct Value Stores (180 doors).

• Develop and execute seasonal assortment strategies that align with consumer demand and business objectives.

• Coordinate across genders, brands, and product collections to ensure cohesive assortments and marketplace alignment.

• Partner cross-functionally with planning, pricing, and allocation teams to ensure the right products reach the right stores at the right depths.

• Collaborate with pricing to optimize inventory flow, drive sell-through, and achieve retail KPIs.

• Participate in seasonal buy reviews and in-season trading to identify opportunities for growth and course correction.

• Leverage data and consumer insights to refine multi-season assortment plans that balance intuition and analytics.

• Maintain a deep understanding of the brand’s market position, competitive landscape, and evolving consumer preferences.

• Utilize advanced Excel skills to analyze assortment performance, track sales, and support strategic decision-making.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience and training
• 4 years experience in footwear or apparel buying and/or merchandising, product creation and/or retail in a vertical, multi-brand or digital environment
• Strong affinity for current market trends and how the brand’s apparel can continue to be a style leader in the marketplace
• Footwear, Apparel, Equipment or relevant consumer product buying and/or merchandising experience
• Understanding of common retail and/or digital profit-based metrics such as sell-through, turn, ASP, UPT and others Ability to contribute to and drive strategy into action
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas, etc.)