Alberta Boot Company has spent nearly 50 years crafting Western boots in Canada and serving customers nationally. As we grow our ecommerce business, strengthen our retail presence, and expand into new markets, we're building the team that will support the next stage of our growth.
The Merchandising Manager is the analytical engine behind inventory for Alberta Boot Company and Cody & Sioux. Working hand-in-hand with the Buyer/CMO, this individual turns sales, inventory, and open-to-buy data into clear decisions; what to buy, when to buy it, where it goes, and when to move it - across our retail stores, ecommerce, and events in both Canada and the United States.
What You’ll Lead:
- Merchandise financial planning. Partner with the Buyer/CMO on seasonal and annual sales, receipts, inventory, and margin plans by category, channel, and market (Canada and USA); work directly with Finance on budgeting, in-season planning, and forecasting.
- Open-to-buy and business insights. Own and report weekly OTB, flag over- and under-bought positions, and recommend buying adjustments. Deliver weekly and monthly sales, margin, sell-through, inventory, and OTB reporting with actionable recommendations for the Buyer/CMO and leadership.
- Inventory health and margin. Monitor sell-through, weeks of supply, stock-to-sales, and inventory turn; act on slow-moving and aged stock before markdowns are needed. Support pricing and markdown strategy through initial markup, promotional performance, and markdown cadence analysis to protect gross margin.
- Allocation and peak readiness. Lead allocation and replenishment across stores, ecommerce, and events. Position inventory for the Calgary Stampede and holiday peaks, with clear in-season chase, cut, and transfer recommendations.
- Cross-border and cross-functional coordination. Plan Canadian and US inventory around lead times, duties, currency, and channel differences. Align buying, ecommerce, marketing, store operations, and the warehouse on product launches, promotions, and floor sets.
- Planning tools and team growth. Improve planning tools, reports, and processes; maintain accurate data across Shopify, the inventory/ERP system, and planning files. Hire, train, and lead the Allocation Specialist and Merchandise Analyst as these roles are added.
What You Bring:
- Relevant retail experience. 5+ years in merchandise planning, allocation, or buying; apparel, footwear, accessories, or Western-wear strongly preferred. Experience managing inventory across stores and ecommerce; Canadian and US market experience is a strong asset.
- Planning and analytical strength. Proven OTB and merchandise financial planning experience, with results improving sell-through, turn, and margin. Strong retail math across markup, margin, sell-through, weeks of supply, stock-to-sales, GMROI, and inventory turn.
- Tools and systems proficiency. Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and modelling; experience with Shopify / Shopify POS and an inventory or ERP system. BI tools such as Power BI or Looker are an asset.
- Leadership and communication. People leadership experience or clear readiness to lead, with mentoring analysts or allocators an asset. Excellent communication skills, turning data into a clear story that influences buying decisions.
- Organization and brand familiarity. Organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple seasons, priorities, and deadlines. Familiarity with Western lifestyle, heritage or craft brands, and the Calgary Stampede is a strong asset.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and benefits. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that supports your well-being and long-term goals.
- The opportunity to build. Help shape the future of Alberta Boot Company and Cody & Sioux as we expand our ecommerce business, strengthen our Canadian market presence, and grow into the United States.
- Connection to the business and the craft. Work alongside the teams who design, build, and sell our products at our Calgary headquarters, gaining a firsthand understanding of the craftsmanship, heritage, and people behind the brands.
- Experience the product firsthand. Exclusive employee discounts on premium Western footwear and apparel, connecting you with the quality, craftsmanship, and style you'll help bring to market.
While preference will be given to candidates based in Calgary, Vancouver, or Toronto, we welcome applications from qualified candidates located anywhere in Canada.
We believe great talent comes from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you require accommodation during any part of the recruitment or selection process, we encourage you to let us know so we can support your participation. Please reach out to us directly at careers@albertaboot.com.
