Senior Buyer - Branded & Partner Store Channel

🔝 Reports to: Omnichannel Buying Manager

📑 Permanent contract

📍 EU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland

👩‍💻🏡 Hybrid mode (2 days/week home-office)

📆 Start date: at the earliest convenience

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.

At Columbia Sportswear, we’re as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.

Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving

Discover a world of diversity within our team of 700+ across 13 European countries, united by the common goal of elevating Columbia to the pinnacle of outdoor brands in Europe. Our omnichannel approach seamlessly integrates Columbia and Sorel brands' engaging in-store and online experiences.

Nestled at the heart of the Alps in Geneva, Switzerland, our European headquarters hosts the Executive Committee, go-to-market functions, and Planning and Logistics teams. In Schiltigheim, near Strasbourg, our shared services center thrives with over 100 professionals managing Finance and Operations/Customer Service. Our distribution center in Cambrai ensures swift delivery to customers, while our 35+ Columbia stores adorn major European outlet centers. Finally, the Sales and Trade Marketing teams are displayed in 3 regions across Europe, close to their customers and markets.

We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.

And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Columbia Sportswear is expanding its Retail network – Branded and Partner Store - across Europe. These stores are operated by independent partners who run the stores locally while selling Columbia products directly to consumers.

In this model, partners purchase Columbia assortments and operate the stores, while Columbia supports them with product expertise, brand guidance and merchandising direction.

To support the development of this growing channel, we are looking for a Senior Buyer – Partner Stores to join our European Headquarters in Geneva.

You will be part of the Buying team (6 people) and report to the Omni Channel Buying Manager, working closely with Sales Representatives and cross-functional leaders across Europe.

The Partner Store network is currently developing across several European markets, including France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland and Ireland, with additional growth planned in the coming years.

The mission of this role is to bring structure and scalability to how assortments are built across the Retail full price channel.

You will define a common assortment framework for Branded and Partner Stores, while allowing local adjustments based on store profile, location and consumer needs. Your objective is to move from a case-by-case approach to a scalable buying structure that supports the long-term growth of the channel.

Because this role supports a partner-operated channel, it combines merchandising expertise with the ability to guide partners toward the best buying decisions for their stores.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Build the assortment structure for Retail Full Price channel (Owned & Partner Stores)

One of your first priorities will be to structure how assortments are defined across the Partner Store network.

You will:

• Cluster Stores based on size, location and consumer profile
• Define a core assortment structure shared across the network
• Develop complementary assortment modules to adapt to different store types

Lead the Buy and monitor the Performance of Branded Stores:

• Build and manage strategic assortments to achieve financial KPI goals: Net revenue, Margin and inventory management
• be responsible for all facets of buying, including the financial investments of each item, sell out analysis, in-season price and inventory management

Guide partners in building the right volume and product Mix.

Working closely with Sales Representatives who manage partner relationships, you will provide product expertise and assortment guidance.

You will:

• Propose assortment recommendations aligned with Columbia’s product strategy
• Support partners in building their seasonal unit projections based on their Business plan and store Open-To Buy
• Balance brand priorities with local market realities. Ensure alignment between Columbia’s product strategy and store-level execution

Help structure a growing channel

As the Retail Full Price network expands, you will contribute to building the processes and tools needed to scale the channel.

You will help:

• Move from case-by-case assortment decisions to a structured buying framework
• Improve clarity and consistency in how assortments are defined across markets
• Support the long-term development of the Partner Store business across Europe

YOU ARE

• A product-driven merchandising professional who enjoys working at the intersection of product strategy and retail realities.
• You are comfortable navigating environments where structures are still evolving and enjoy helping build new frameworks that can scale.
• You combine strong product understanding, business thinking and the ability to influence stakeholders, including external partners.
• Collaborative and pragmatic, you know how to balance brand vision with local market needs.

YOU HAVE

Experience that allows you to connect product strategy with real retail environments.

What good looks like in this role:

• Around 8–10 years of experience in buying, merchandising or assortment planning within the apparel, footwear or sportswear industry
• Strong understanding of assortment architecture and category management
• Experience working with non-integrated retail networks such as franchise stores, wholesale partners or multi-brand retailers
• The ability to structure assortments that work across multiple store types and markets
• Experience collaborating with commercial teams and external partners
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel 
• Advanced understanding of retail industry and specific metrics used 
• Strong analytical thinking combined with a pragmatic approach to decision making

Experience in sportswear, outdoor or active lifestyle brands would be a strong advantage

PERKS & BENEFITS

🎁 Significant discounts on Columbia and Sorel products

🌍 Soft mobility policy (Geneva office only)

🧘‍♀️ Pilates and yoga classes on our premises, and running groups or sports activities

📚 Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning

📖 A monthly Learning Hour for training, discovery and learning

👩‍🏫 Unlock your potential: access to in-house training courses (feedback, leadership, Insights®...)

🌈DEI initiatives to exchange and strengthen our involvement around these themes

ABOUT THE CULTURE

• At Columbia Sportswear, we value an inclusive and open culture that emphasizes the absence of barriers between team members. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging by encouraging personal connections at all levels, which creates a cohesive and supportive work environment.
• Team members serve as ambassadors for our brand, finding motivation in being part of an organization dedicated to activities they are passionate about. This dedication reflects our commitment to building a team that takes pride in our products and values.
• We offer the opportunity to work for a US-based company within a multicultural environment, where your job has an impact across different countries.
• Our "Always Be Learning" culture of continuous learning enables our employees to identify and develop skills that will enable them to continue to grow within the company.
• "Unlock Your Potential" is the spirit that characterizes our vision of employees' development: to offer them opportunities to grow, in their job, in their team or even to change jobs completely. We grow our people to grow our business.

To learn more about us and our culture, visit our page on Welcome To The Jungle: https://bit.ly/49bl1i5

ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS

1️⃣ Ready to unlock your potential at Columbia Sportswear Company? Apply now to help us connect active people with their passion! The hiring team will review your application in the following weeks.

2️⃣ If your application is selected: a 30-45mn introductory interview with our Talent Acquisition Team to talk about yourself, your motivations and the role

3️⃣ Interview with the hiring manager

4️⃣ Case study presentation

5️⃣ Final interview with the main stakeholders

6️⃣ Your unique strengths align perfectly with our team: we are thrilled to extend you an offer!

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.