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Merchandiser - Tier0/Collabs/SMU (Timberland EMEA) - Job Opportunity at Timberland

Stabio, Switzerland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 4, 2025
On-site
CHF 65,000 - 85,000 annually based on Switzerland's high compensation standards, mid-level merchandising role requirements, and Timberland's position as a premium brand within VF Corporation's portfolio

Benefits

Comprehensive mental, physical and financial well-being support package providing holistic employee care that exceeds standard market offerings
Supportive feedback-based culture guided by respect and integrity, creating a psychologically safe work environment that promotes professional growth
Inclusive international environment celebrating diverse backgrounds and nationalities, offering valuable cross-cultural collaboration experience
Association with iconic lifestyle brand within multi-brand, multi-country organization providing extensive career development opportunities
On-site gym with health and well-being initiatives demonstrating commitment to employee wellness beyond basic healthcare
Generous 50% discount card across all VF brands offering significant personal savings and product access
Complimentary refreshment facilities in break areas enhancing daily work experience and team collaboration

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic market differentiation through deep consumer insights across EMEA's diverse marketplace segments from boutique to street fashion, directly impacting brand positioning and competitive advantage
Lead seasonal SMU line planning in partnership with senior leadership, creating revenue opportunities through targeted key account allocation and strategic collaboration initiatives
Optimize go-to-market processes and stakeholder communication across global and regional teams, ensuring seamless product commercialization and timeline adherence
Monitor and manage development pipelines for all SMU projects, maintaining accountability for timely product launches that directly impact market presence
Generate strategic trend intelligence reports that influence product direction, style additions, and exclusive drops, positioning the brand ahead of market movements
Execute margin optimization strategies for SMU/OMU programs and special projects, directly contributing to profitability targets and financial performance
Develop exclusive product offerings for Tier 0 accounts and e-commerce channels, creating market demand drivers and brand differentiation opportunities
Facilitate halo strategy implementation with cross-functional merchandising teams, maximizing commercial impact across product lines
Create compelling presentation materials and selling tools that enhance key account relationships and drive sales conversion
Analyze sales performance data to identify market opportunities and implement rapid response strategies, ensuring competitive market positioning

Requirements

Education

University Bachelor or Master's degree in business administration preferred but not required

Experience

2/3+ years of professional experience in Apparel or Footwear industry in a similar function

Required Skills

Deep understanding of the Timberland brand as well as the streetwear and fashion lifestyle business Advanced knowledge of MS Excel and other Windows applications (Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc) Fluent in English (both written and spoken) Strong knowledge of PLM systems and data management Proactively identifying potential issues, propose solutions for xfunctional process challenges, managing commercial teams expectations Very strong communication skills and crossfunctional partnership
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The outdoor lifestyle and streetwear convergence is accelerating, with brands like Timberland positioned at the intersection of functional outdoor gear and urban fashion, driving demand for merchandisers who understand both markets. This trend is particularly strong in EMEA where sustainability consciousness and outdoor lifestyle adoption continue growing. Special Make-Up (SMU) and collaboration strategies are becoming critical differentiators in the competitive footwear market, as brands seek to create exclusive offerings that command premium pricing and drive customer loyalty. The rise of limited drops and exclusive releases reflects changing consumer behavior toward scarcity-driven purchasing. Digital transformation in merchandising is reshaping how products are planned and brought to market, with PLM systems and data analytics becoming essential tools for managing complex product portfolios across multiple markets and channels simultaneously.

Role Significance

Typically manages cross-functional relationships rather than direct reports, working within a merchandising team of 5-8 professionals while coordinating with global teams, sales teams, and key account managers across multiple markets
This is a strategically important mid-level role with significant autonomy and direct impact on product portfolio performance. The position requires independent decision-making on pricing, margin targets, and product development direction, indicating substantial trust and responsibility within the organization.

Key Projects

Seasonal SMU line planning and execution for major retail partners Collaboration development and launch management with fashion and streetwear brands Exclusive product creation for Tier 0 accounts and premium retail channels Market trend analysis and product recommendation development Cross-regional product strategy alignment and implementation

Success Factors

Deep market intelligence and trend forecasting abilities are crucial for anticipating consumer preferences and creating relevant product offerings that resonate with diverse EMEA market segments. Success requires staying ahead of fashion cycles and understanding regional taste variations. Strong cross-functional collaboration skills are essential given the role's requirement to coordinate between global product teams, regional sales teams, and key account partners. The ability to manage expectations and facilitate communication across different organizational levels directly impacts project success. Commercial acumen and margin management expertise are critical for balancing creative product development with profitability requirements. Understanding the financial implications of merchandising decisions and optimizing pricing strategies directly affects business performance. Project management excellence is vital for managing multiple concurrent SMU projects, collaborations, and special initiatives while maintaining strict timeline adherence in a fast-paced fashion environment where delays can result in missed market opportunities.

Market Demand

High demand driven by the growing importance of strategic merchandising in competitive fashion markets and the specialized skill set required for managing SMU programs and collaborations

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced Excel and PLM system proficiency are fundamental for managing complex product portfolios, analyzing sales data, and coordinating development timelines across multiple stakeholders. These technical skills directly impact daily operational efficiency and project success. Cross-functional communication and partnership abilities are essential given the role's requirement to coordinate between global teams, regional sales forces, and key account partners. The ability to manage relationships and facilitate collaboration directly determines project outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction. Deep brand and market understanding specific to Timberland and streetwear culture is crucial for creating relevant product offerings and making informed merchandising decisions. This knowledge drives product relevance and commercial success in competitive markets.

Beneficial Skills

Photoshop and visual presentation skills enhance the ability to create compelling selling tools and communicate product concepts effectively to stakeholders and retail partners Project management methodologies and tools would strengthen the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and ensure timeline adherence in complex product development environments Financial modeling and margin analysis capabilities would enhance commercial decision-making and support more sophisticated pricing and profitability optimization strategies

Unique Aspects

The role combines traditional merchandising responsibilities with emerging collaboration and special project management, reflecting the evolving nature of fashion brand partnerships and exclusive product strategies in today's market.
Working within EMEA's diverse market landscape provides exposure to multiple consumer segments, regulatory environments, and retail channels, offering broader international business experience than single-market roles.
The position sits at the intersection of outdoor lifestyle heritage and contemporary streetwear trends, requiring unique market insight and product development skills that bridge functional and fashion-forward consumer needs.
Integration with VF Corporation's multi-brand portfolio provides access to extensive resources, best practices, and potential career mobility across iconic brands within the fashion and outdoor industry.

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 2-3 years given the strategic nature of the role and skill development opportunities within VF Corporation's multi-brand portfolio

Potential Next Roles

Senior Merchandising Manager with expanded regional or global responsibilities Head of Product Merchandising overseeing broader product categories or markets Brand Manager focusing on strategic brand development and positioning Regional Commercial Director combining merchandising expertise with broader business leadership

Company Overview

Timberland

Timberland operates as a key brand within VF Corporation, one of the world's largest apparel and footwear companies. Founded in 1973, Timberland has established itself as a premium outdoor lifestyle brand with strong heritage in functional footwear and expanding presence in fashion and streetwear markets. The brand maintains global operations with significant EMEA presence.

Timberland holds a strong position in the premium outdoor lifestyle segment, competing with brands like The North Face, Patagonia, and Dr. Martens. The brand benefits from VF Corporation's extensive resources, distribution network, and operational scale while maintaining distinct brand identity and market positioning.
The EMEA region represents a critical growth market for Timberland, with the Stabio, Switzerland location serving as a key operational hub for European market strategy and product development. This positioning indicates significant regional investment and strategic importance.
VF Corporation promotes a culture of inclusion, sustainability, and innovation, with emphasis on work-life balance and professional development. The company's focus on 'unleashing human potential' suggests a supportive environment for career growth and skill development within a large corporate structure.
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