Columbia Sportswear: Trade Marketing Specialist UK & Nordics (Fixed-term contract)

Reports to: Trade Marketing Manager EU North

📑 Fixed-term contract (12 months)

📍 Kendal, Cumbria, UK

👩‍💻🏡 Remote with some presence in the Kendal 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 30+ 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 TEAM

The Trade Marketing team is spread out across 3 different regions in Europe to boost brand and product awareness for the Columbia and SOREL brands, working in collaboration with key accounts in the sporting goods and outdoor industry to offer a top-quality in-store and online consumer experience.

The Trade Marketing team covering Europe North (UK & Nordics) is based in our office in Kendal, UK. They collaborate closely with the dedicated Sales team of the region and connect with the entire Marketing Department, including Brand PR & Promotions Marketing.

ABOUT THE POSITION

To backfill a team member’s maternity leave, we are in search of an enthusiastic Trade Marketing Specialist to assist in creating and implementing trade marketing campaigns (in-store and online) that align with the brand’s seasonal marketing initiatives, to drive sell-through and grow in-season sales with our main wholesale accounts in the region, from the JD and Fraisers Groups to John Lewis and Selfridges.

You will work hand in hand with the Marketing Manager to define and deploy seasonal Marketing programs to ensure best-in-class campaign execution.

This is a temporary contract of 12 months. The role is mostly remote but requires some presence in our Kendal office to meet the team and the clients. Ideally, you are based in North-West UK to facilitate the commute to the office.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

• Partner with sales managers to negotiate account selections and collaborate with marketing teams, transforming products into compelling stories that drive sales and strengthen brand presence.
• Lead both digital and in-store campaigns with a balanced 50/50 approach, driving in-season sales and enhancing brand visibility across the region.
• Liaise with sales teams in the UK, Northern Europe, and the Geneva marketing team, as well as digital marketing experts, ensuring cohesive and successful marketing strategies.
• Monitor marketing success through KPIs, share insights, and optimize campaigns, contributing to quarterly business reviews that showcase the impact of your strategies
• Handle the operational aspects of the marketing budget, ensuring efficient resource use and maximizing ROI in support of the overall marketing strategy

YOU ARE

• You excel at managing complex tasks, using tools like Power BI to ensure everything is on track and well-coordinated.
• You thrive in data-driven environments, where your ability to analyze and interpret information leads to effective decision-making.
• You have a knack for building relationships and negotiating terms that align both retailer and company goals.
• You’re able to clearly present campaign ideas and product details, ensuring all stakeholders are on the same page.
• You take initiative in following up on campaign progress, ensuring that all efforts lead to successful execution and visibility.
• You are willing to learn and grow your skills!

YOU HAVE

• A first successful experience in Marketing of at least 2 years, ideally within a brand or a retailer of our industry
• Successfully implemented both digital and non-digital marketing campaigns, with a track record of developing and adapting seasonal marketing strategies in partnership with wholesale and e-tail partners, ensuring full alignment with the sales team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills that allow you to thrive in a multi-cultural environment
• Proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, Adobe Suite

PERKS & BENEFITS

🎁 Significant discounts on Columbia and Sorel products

📚 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 (online or in-person interview) + case study presentation (if applicable)

4️⃣ Final interview with the main stakeholders

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

Please click on the link for more information and how to apply https://bit.ly/4e4MJQl