Vice President, Merchandising Apparel

Join to apply for the Vice President, Merchandising Apparel role at Sporting Life Sporting Life is a proudly Canadian sports lifestyle brand, inspiring people to live, enjoy, and enable the sporting life since 1979. From skiing and running to biking and tennis, we offer the best gear for those who live an active lifestyle. As part of Sporting Life Group, alongside Golf Town and Team Town, we blend sport and style to help Canadians get outside and keep moving. Why Work Here? Comprehensive benefits package with multiple levels of health, dental, and vision coverage. An Executive Lifestyle Account to use toward healthcare or non-traditional wellness and lifestyle spending. Employee discounts at Golf Town, Sporting Life, and Team Town Sports, shareable with friends and family. A team-first culture that celebrates an active, sport‑inspired lifestyle. A fun, fast‑paced hybrid environment where your passion for sport and style belongs. Competitive pay and opportunities to grow your career in the sports lifestyle industry. What You’ll Do As the Vice President for Merchandising Apparel, you will define and lead Sporting Life’s apparel vision and strategy, shaping the product direction and brand mix across all apparel categories. You will report directly to the President, Sporting Life. Within this role you will be accountable for driving profitable growth, sustaining exceptional vendor partnerships, and ensuring our assortments reflect the essence of the Sporting Life brand, premium quality, purposeful design, and a lifestyle that celebrates living well. Merchandising Strategy & Leadership Develop and execute a cohesive apparel merchandising strategy aligned with Sporting Life’s premium positioning and customer promise. Lead seasonal and long‑range line planning, open‑to‑buy management, and pricing strategy to achieve sales, margin, and inventory productivity goals. Anticipate emerging trends, brands, and lifestyle shifts, ensuring assortments remain fresh, relevant, and distinctive. Integrate consumer insights, data analytics, and creative vision to drive both commercial results and brand elevation. Partner with Planning & Allocation to optimize inventory flow, maximize sell‑through, and enhance profitability. Brand & Vendor Partnerships Steward and maintain trusted, long‑term relationships with global and emerging apparel brands that align with Sporting Life’s elevated lifestyle positioning. Collaborate with vendor partners to deliver the right mix of product, exclusivity, and marketing that supports mutual brand growth. Identify new and emerging brand opportunities that complement our heritage partners and keep assortments inspiring and relevant. Lead and inspire a high‑performing apparel merchandising team to deliver innovation, precision, and excellence. Foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and accountability; encouraging a shared passion for product and customer. Partner cross‑functionally with Planning, eCommerce, Marketing, and Store Operations to ensure cohesive product storytelling and seasonal alignment. Deliver apparel category financial objectives including sales, margin, inventory productivity, and markdown optimization. Collaborate with Finance to develop budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting. Align merchandising and marketing initiatives to drive conversion, elevate presentation, and reinforce Sporting Life’s unique brand position. What You’ll Bring 12+ years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, with deep expertise in apparel (fashion, sport, outdoor or lifestyle). Proven ability to identify and interpret fashion, sport, lifestyle, and outdoor trends, while curating technical products designed to enhance comfort, performance, and the outdoor experience. Strong relationships and experience working with premium and luxury apparel brands. Demonstrated leadership experience managing large, high‑performing teams. Financial acumen with a track record of delivering growth and profitability. Passion for product, people, and the Sporting Life brand. Sporting Life is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing accommodations for persons with disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, please advise the Sporting Life Human Resources team of any accommodations required to ensure fair and equitable access through the recruitment and selection process. #J-18808-Ljbffr