The Eastpak and JanSport team is looking for an exceptional Product Merchandising Manager who will join our Product & Design team based in Antwerp, Belgium .

At Eastpak , we’re Built to Resist whatever life throws at us, as we express ourselves as individuals and inspire positive resistance. Since we started our journey half a century ago, we’ve refined our classic bag designs and continue to innovate and collaborate with some of the world’s leading creatives. We’re committed to making durable designs that stand the test of time, as we foster a more sustainable way of living. Our Eastpak culture is defined by Empowerment, Responsibility, Creativity, Collaboration and Positive Resistance.

Eastpak is Built to Resist , are you?

Let’s Talk about the Role

As merchandising manager, you will play a strategic role in driving the merchandising strategy for Eastpak and JanSport brands in EMEA aligned with our brand objectives. This includes fostering collaboration across teams and driving overall brand growth. You will optimize assortments with an omnichannel approach and stay attuned to consumer trends and product performance. You will report into the Global Product & Merchandising director and manage a team of merchandisers.

How You Will Make a Difference

You will achieve this by:

• Creating consumer centric assortments:

• Develop impactful profitable assortments that align with the Brand Vision and resonate with the consumer.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of consumer trends, market insights, and competitor pricing strategies to drive relevant assortments.

• Driving the global assortment strategy for Eastpak:

• Implement a strong assortment strategy for the Eastpak segmentation model, including Digital and Key Strategic partners, ensuring right brand position and sales turnover

• Develop a unified global assortment while addressing local nuances and growth opportunities in different regions.

• Ensure line efficiency through detailed productivity analyses.

• Driving the EMEA assortment strategy for Jansport:

• Serve as the Interface between Europe and the Global brand team for Jansport, ensuring the EMEA product range aligns with market needs, long term strategy and growth plans.

• Monitoring performance:

• Track the performance and sell out rates of assortments, making data driven adjustments if needed.

• Collaborating with design and development team:

• Drive line development by providing clear collection briefings that align with the seasonal directions.

• Team management

• Drive assortments in line with the investment priorities aligned on with finance and planning.

• Foster close collaboration with Planning on seasonal investment and partnering with Digital/Marketing to leverage the right seasonal content in their tools.

• This role will partner closely with Sales, Marketing DTC, Product & Design, Supply Chain, Finance and requires strong team management.

• Effectively manage and develop a team of merchandisers, fostering a high-performance team environment.

• Work closely with the Product Director to ensure seamless execution of the GTM strategy

• Presenting merchandising highlights and seasonal direction to the sales force during various steps of the go-to-market process (GTM process meetings), in coordination with the wider product team and marketing.

Skills for Success

• Passion for Eastpak and the lifestyle it represents.

• 8+ years’ experience in Merchandising and Product Management ideally in global brand organizations (of which 4 years in a management role)

• Be able to think strategically and execute tactically with an analytical mindset.

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Has a passion for the product and is consumer obsessed.

• Being a true team player that champions new way of workings.

• Demonstrates flexibility and initiative in tackling challenges and finding innovative solutions.

• Strong communication skills – includes strong presentation, influencing and negotiation skills

• Fluent English, both written and spoken

What’s in it For You

We’re in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That’s why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we’re the total package.

• A supportive feedback-based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do

• An inclusive international environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together

• Be part of an iconic lifestyle brand in a multi brand, multi countries organization

• On site gym offering health and well-being initiatives

• A discount card with 50% on all VF brands

• Break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks

VF is a global apparel company connecting people to the lifestyles they cherish through our family of iconic brands. At the heart of our journey lies our purpose: We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our purpose. It’s the reason we come to work every day. Our purpose unites us and leads us to pursue our goals, together. This is our calling. Learn more at vfc.com

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity

As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day. As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, VF is committed to support disadvantaged groups whilst providing equal opportunities for both VF associates and applicants alike.

If you like what you have read and want to join our team then we would like to hear from you! Apply, visit vfc.com , Eastpak.com or follow us on our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/eastpak-corp/?originalSubdomain=it) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/eastpak/?hl=en) pages, see you there!

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VF Diversity Vision Statement VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world.VF is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.