About MEC At MEC, we believe the transformative power of the outdoors makes us better humans and drives us to do good for the planet. We are here to inspire and support everyone in getting active outside, matching people with gear and advice that instills confidence. We offer more than products; we offer passion for the outdoors. We play with purpose! 

Our business model is dependent on impassioned and well-trained outdoor enthusiasts and as such we look for individuals who live our purpose and fit with MEC ethos and lifestyle. If you are that person, we’d love to connect with you. Join us! 

MEC is an equal opportunity employer and committed to building an inclusive community of staffers. We’re proud to work with our people to create a diverse workplace, where everyone feels like they belong and has the opportunity to be successful. We welcome of all applicants to join our diverse team. Tell us what you need during the hiring process, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. 

The Role

As the Brand Experience Manager you'll bring together the sights and sounds of the brand experience in the bricks and mortar environment. In partnership with internal teams and our vendor partners you'll develop and bring to life cohesive brand experiences through in-store visual direction and staff training. This role is also the main conduit of the MEC Label brand experience within retail stores and will be responsible for developing MEC Label content and training materials for the organization.

Location: This is a hybrid role based out of MEC's Support Office (HO) in Vancouver, BC. Team members are expected to work from the office a minimum of two days per week. Occasional travel to MEC stores and training events across Canada is required.

As the Brand Experience Manager you'll be doing:

Brand Training

• Seasonal Strategy: Build and deliver seasonal brand PK and training strategies that ladder up to cross-functional initiatives and align to business priorities, to deliver a best-in-class customer journey.
• Vendor PK Program: Lead the development of the vendor PK strategy and program, communicate with vendor partners on opportunities and resources.
• MEC Label PK Program: Lead the development of the MEC Label training strategy and program, build content and training materials, in partnership with the MEC Label team and cross-functional partners.
• Resources and Facilitation with Stores: Lead the facilitation of vendor and MEC Label PK sessions at stores leveraging store MXM and SLA’s and develop and maintain a brand training hub for stores, in partnership with the LMX Team.
• Experiential Training Program: Lead the development of an experiential training program that leverages our brand partners and delivers a best-in-class EVP (Employee Value Proposition), in partnership with internal stakeholders
• Store Projects: Support with brand training for store projects - including but not limited to store renovations, store relocations, new store opens, and rebrands – as relevant.

Brand VM Initiatives

• Shop-in-shops + VM Initiatives: Lead the strategy for brand partnership projects including shop-in-shops and visual merchandising initiatives that drive revenue and deliver best-in-class in store visual experience. Includes owning communications and alignment with brands, developing project timelines with internal and external partners, managing artwork approvals and procurement, ensuring that milestones are hit and initiatives meet the brief, and the project is delivered on time.
• Seasonal VM Resources: Build seasonal documents for store visual teams to ensure a best in class in-store experience for top brands, in partnership with vendors and internal teams. 
• Analysis and optimization: In partnership with cross-functional partners, ensure reporting tools are in place to provide feedback and results to vendor partners and internal stakeholders. In partnership with Brand Partnerships Team (Co-op), optimizes revenue opportunities through visual merchandising.
• Store Projects: Support with brand shop-in-shop and visual merchandising initiatives for store projects - including but not limited to store renovations, store relocations, new store opens, and rebrands – as relevant.

Partnership with Stores

• Relationships: Develop and maintain relationships with the stores to drive overall support and implementation of directives, providing guidance and supporting questions.
• Store Communications: Support and empower store teams through monthly conference calls, providing clear and concise communications regarding initiatives, maintaining a store-facing calendar, and developing a vendor PK info site.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree preferred 
• 3-5 years of relevant retail/visual merchandising, training, or program building experience

Skill Set

• Works well in a fast-paced environment. 
• Self-motivated with the courage to innovate and learn quickly.
• Natural problem-solver, able to develop strategic solutions that work within budgets and timelines.
• Confident presence in meetings and presentations.
• Strong communicator, skilled at writing clear and concise communications. Exceptional listener, collaborative.
• Excellent planning, organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and follows through on areas of responsibility. Well organized and strong in multi-tasking.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and can react in an action focused manner. 
• Experience in program development and implementation.
• Experience in process improvement and change management in busy, high-volume retail or service environments
• Experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Power BI. Comfortable with learning new software programs.
• Basic understanding of French (or full bilingualism) is a plus
• You’re stoked on something: you love to build trails, log miles, organize hut trips, lean into corners, climb splitters or do something outside every day

The Compensation & Perks! 

This is a permanent role with the anticipated salary range of $75,500 to $85,000 base + bonus. The exact salary will be dependent on the successful candidate’s relevant skills, experience, qualifications and internal equity.

• Generous annual vacation allotment & Paid Care time (Wellness/sick)
• Maternity and Parental leave top-up
• Staff Discount and amazing deals straight from vendors
• Top-notch benefit plan & Retirement plan with matched contributions
• Paid days to pursue outdoor activities and/or volunteer in your community
• Access to a learning platform and educational assistance support