Reports to: Brett Sullivan, VP Merchandising Hardgoods
Location: Remote, USA (Mountain or Pacific Time Zone preferred)
About the Role:Backcountry's Bike category spans complete bikes, frames, and a deep components assortment across five banners - Bike Tires Direct, Backcountry, Competitive Cyclist, Steep & Cheap, and Marketplace. This role exists to drive the merchandising strategy and financial performance of the entire category, ensuring differentiated assortments and technically sound product for each banner's customer.
As
Merchandise Manager, Bike, 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. Success in the first 6-12 months means establishing strong vendor partnerships that deliver margin improvement, tightening assortment accuracy across banners, and building the cadence and KPI framework your team runs on.
This is a lean team. You will own a lot, move fast, and make decisions with full end-to-end responsibility.
What You'll Do:Category Management- Execute the merchandising and sourcing plan across complete bikes, frames, and components (drivetrains, wheels, brakes, suspension, cockpit, pedals) for each banner
- Drive sales, margin, and inventory turn goals across all channels and platforms
- Manage the open-to-buy budget for Bike across Bike Tires Direct, Backcountry, Competitive Cyclist, Steep & Cheap, and Marketplace
- Source and assess merchandise by evaluating market trends, cross-component and build-kit compatibility, and historical selling data
Vendor Management & Differentiation- Build and maintain relationships with bike brands and component manufacturers, negotiating pricing, terms, key buys, and promotional windows to maximize gross margin
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard new vendors to strengthen the supply chain and assortment
- Establish and enforce quality standards through supplier collaboration and regular product quality checks
Inventory & Analytics- Own SKU/PO worksheets and purchase orders - quantity, dollar, style allocation, size/color breakout - under tight deadlines
- Manage inventory flow by setting receipt plans, sell-through targets, and re-order or reduction edits; partner with Planning on exit strategies for slow movers
- Leverage sales data, customer insights, and analytics to forecast demand and refine procurement plans
- Monitor category KPIs, evaluate vendor performance, and recommend actions to hit profitability targets
Customer Experience & Cross-Functional Partnerships- Apply deep technical knowledge of bike systems to ensure assortment compatibility, spec accuracy, and informed support for vendors, planning, and customer-facing teams
- Uphold category content standards, visual merchandising, and taxonomy to improve conversion
- Partner with Planning on budgets, forecasting, and KPI reporting; collaborate with Marketing and Creative on promotions, campaigns, and selling strategy
Team Leadership- Guide and mentor the Bike buying team, supporting buyer development and fostering a collaborative work environment
Required Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree (Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred)
- 10+ years in retail buying or merchandising with a 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 the ability to evaluate cross-component and build-kit compatibility
- Deep understanding of the 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 (e.g., demand forecasting, assortment planning, trend analysis)
- Genuine passion for cycling and the products Backcountry offers
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed
Preferred Qualifications:- Direct experience in the bike industry, including relationships with major bike and component brands
- Experience managing or mentoring a buying team
- Familiarity with marketplace merchandising alongside owned-inventory channels
Why Join:The people who do best here are builders. They take ownership, move fast, and want to see the direct impact of their work.
- Team Impact: Build and lead a buying team with direct ownership of their outcomes, shaping how Backcountry shows up in one of its most important categories.
- Growth & Leadership Development: Sharpen your craft as a people leader while getting hands-on with AI-driven merchandising tools - from demand forecasting to assortment planning - building skills that set you apart.
- Category Ownership: Own end-to-end financial and assortment performance across five banners, with the autonomy to make vendor, pricing, and strategy decisions that directly move the business.
- Competitive Benefits: Paid time off policies, 401(k) match, medical/dental/vision and a variety of supplemental policies, and employee discounts across our portfolio of brands.
Interview Process:- Recruiter Screen - A 45-minute conversation with our recruiting team to align on the role, your background, and what you are looking for.
- Hiring Manager Interview - Conversation with the VP, Merchandising Hardgoods focused on your merchandising experience, vendor management approach, and technical bike knowledge.
- Take-Home Assignment - A short challenge so we can understand how you approach problems and execution.
- Panel Interview - Deep-dive interviews with Backcountry leadership focused on your experience, product mindset, and operational thinking.
- In-Person Interview - We'd like to meet you at our Cottonwood Heights office. Details and logistics will be arranged with your recruiter.
- Reference Checks - Conducted in parallel with the final stages where possible.
- Offer - We move quickly for the right candidate.
Interview process is subject to change. Any updates will be communicated promptly and clearly.
Please Note:- Part of our interview process is a mandatory in-person interview with someone on our team prior to an offer. Candidates that are unwilling or unable to meet for an in-person interview will be removed from consideration immediately.
