🔝 Reports to: RETAIL MARKETING MANAGER EUROPE

📑 type of contract : Permanent contract

📍 Geneva, CH

👩‍💻🏡 Office-based, Home office possible under conditions (If employee based in CH. A cross border employee living in France will not be able to work from home due to fiscal and social regulations). 20% travel requirement

📆 Start date : ASAP

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.

At Columbia, 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 30+ Columbia stores adorn major European outlet centers. Finally, the Sales and Trade Marketing teams are displayed in four different 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 TEAM

At our EMEA headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland, as well as different offices across Europe, our Marketing team is responsible for creating and implementing strategies that enhance the awareness and desirability of our brands. Ultimately, our goal is to drive omnichannel sales throughout the region.

The marketing department consists of approximately 20 individuals who are divided into Brand Marketing & Consumer Experience teams, including Retail and Trade Marketing.

This newly created position will reinforce the Retail Marketing team, which currently consists of 4 team members. The primary objective of this team is to ensure that we have the best in-store marketing displays and visual merchandising guidelines possible through our omnichannel organization.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This newly created role to support our growth in Europe will consist of building and harmonizing strategies across our diverse Wholesale channels for both Columbia and SOREL brands, including but not limited to shop-in-shops, franchises, partner stores, pop-up stores, concessions, and soft shops.

While not directly executing campaigns, your primary focus will be overseeing all retail marketing efforts across our diverse Wholesale channels, whether in a new or an existing Branded space.

You will provide guidance, support, and approval to local Marketing Managers in the planning of their executions while uniformizing processes, tools, vendors and mitigating costs. You will work very closely with our Sales team as well.

This is a unique opportunity to create a role from scratch and have a true impact across our Wholesale marketing platforms

HOW YOU’LL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Strategy development and alignment:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of current Wholesale retail marketing programs

• Engage with local Marketing Managers to understand existing processes, challenges, and requirements for Wholesale accounts.

• Collaborate with senior leadership to define overarching objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for Wholesale Retail Marketing and brand visibility.

• Design and implement a strategy to optimize and harmonize the work in Branded spaces, including vendor & costs rationalization.

• Be the priority point of contact for internal WHS / Retail partners (sales director, country managers, local marketing managers)

• Work together with the Brand team, retail team and Construction team to align on strategy and visibility.

Process development & Harmonization:

• Design and implement standardized processes for retail marketing in Wholesale channels, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and alignment with company objectives.

• Work closely with local teams to customize processes based on regional nuances while maintaining a cohesive approach.

• Develop comprehensive guidelines and rules for various retail marketing elements, including activations, in-store marketing, and visual merchandising, tailored to the unique needs of the wholesale channels.

Support and approve the (re)opening of Branded spaces.

• Own and nurture the construction & implementation of a joint tool for new Branded Spaces, including Contract Management, Target costs, Assortment, Concept, In-store marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Activations, together with Retail Concept team & Senior Leadership

• Collaborate with each market to support them in the installation of Branded Space corners so they reach targeted sales objectives.

• Be the primary point of contact for new openings: set expectations, challenge and approve projects.

• Optimize costs and profitability for new branded spaces, conducting analysis, and implementing cost-saving initiatives where applicable.

• Rationalize and cultivate strong relationships with vendors and suppliers for new branded spaces, negotiating favorable terms and conditions to support business objectives.

Campaign Planning Support:

·         Sell in:

o    Build seasonal showrooms guidelines for the Sales & Marketing team.

o    In collaboration with Visual Merchandising and Merchandising teams, set up apparel and footwear showrooms in Geneva as a Best Practice for the rest of Europe.

• Harmonize and approve the strategic planning of retail marketing campaigns by local Marketing managers.

• Provide insights and recommendations to align campaigns with wholesale and retail objectives, ensuring they meet company standards.

• Every season, in collaboration with Brand, create the SIS visuals master plan.

• Provide insights and recommendations for eventual POS material, in-store experiential material, etc… Mutualize efforts, manage costs and usage.

Best Practice Sharing :

• Facilitate the exchange of best practices and success stories among local Marketing Managers to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Lead regular meetings or forums to discuss and disseminate successful strategies in retail marketing.

Performance Analysis and Optimization:

• Utilize data analytics tools to monitor, analyze, and optimize the performance of retail marketing within Wholesale channels.

• Develop actionable insights and recommendations to enhance spaces & campaigns effectiveness, drive sales growth, and maximize return on investment (ROI).

YOU ARE

A trailblazer: Able to create a role from scratch, own a topic from the beginning, take initiative and work relatively independently.

A strategic thinker able to advocate for your vision.

Able to collaborate effectively and influence Senior leadership & cross-functional teams.

Ability to work to deadlines and to influence others (including vendors) to meet required deadlines.

Must demonstrate patience, diplomacy, and ability to work under pressure.

Able to evaluate and select the best vendors to establish long-term positive relationships.

Able to travel at least 20% of your time.

YOU HAVE

University-level degree in Marketing or business field or experience equivalent to a degree.

5-8 years of work experience within a marketing department, with at least 1 experience in Wholesale Marketing or Trade Marketing (Mandatory).

You have experience in in-store marketing (wholesale channel) or visual merchandising, preferably in a multicultural or multinational organisation.

Experience working in Sportswear/Outdoor/Travel Retail/Cosmetics would be a strong asset.

Excellent organisational and project management skills with attention to detail.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Experience working in a deadline/timeline-driven environment is essential.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, other languages preferred.

Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat).

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

3️⃣ Interview with the hiring manager (online or in-person interview)

4️⃣ Interview with the main stakeholders + case study presentation (if applicable)

5️⃣ Your unique strengths align perfectly with our team: we are thrilled to extend you an offer!

PERKS & BENEFITS

IMPORTANT INFORMATION : This is an office-based role. If you are living in Switzerland, you may be able to work from home by our work-from-home policy. However, if you are living in another country, you will not be eligible to work from home and will have to work fully in the office due to EU and CH fiscal and social regulations.

🎁 Significant discounts on Columbia and Sorel products

🌍 Soft mobility policy (Geneva office only)

👩‍⚕️ Health insurance allowance for employees in Switzerland

🧘‍♀️ 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