Activewear Merchandising Manager in Cornelius, North Carolina at Burn Boot Camp - HQ

Burn Boot Camp Culture

Burn Boot Camp is one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises in the nation and has experienced rapid growth since its founding in 2015. We move like our members — with purpose and fast-paced. We aim to inspire, empower, and transform lives through community-based fitness.

Position Overview

The Activewear Merchandising Manager owns the full product lifecycle for Burn Boot Camp's activewear business — trend research, assortment planning, vendor production, inventory, and sell-through. Reporting to the Director of Retail, this role is a key strategic partner across franchise partner channels and e-commerce.

This is a mid-to-senior position built for someone proactive, not reactive. The right candidate brings a point of view, takes ownership without being asked, and stays a step ahead of what the department needs — with minimal direction required.

Areas of Accountability

• Seasonal and rolling assortment planning, including events
• Design direction and colorway decisions
• Vendor and production management
• Customs program ownership
• Fabletics and other partnership production support
• Inventory analysis and sell-down input

Roles and Responsibilities

Assortment Planning & Design Direction

• Own seasonal and rolling assortment planning across all activewear categories, serving both franchise partners and the e-commerce channel.
• Lead design decisions independently — colorways, fabrication, silhouette, and brand alignment — without requiring direction on every choice.
• Conduct ongoing market and trend research to identify opportunities and inform assortment strategies.

• Manage the activewear product calendar in collaboration with the Retail Operations Manager, ensuring that all drops and launches are well-coordinated.
• Support photoshoots with the Brand + Commerce Manager
• Create all supporting assets for gym locations – pre-order form, Custom templated release collection examples, Collection look book

Vendor & Production Management

• Manage all activewear vendor relationships at the production level — timelines, quality control, delivery schedules, and brand compliance.
• Coordinate fittings and sample development, driving results with minimal escalation to the Director.
• Monitor production proactively and resolve issues at the vendor level before they impact launch timelines.
• Own all production-side coordination for the Fabletics and other partnerships, supporting the Director’s strategic relationship management.

Customs Program Ownership

• Own and operate the customs program end-to-end: vendor relationships, SLA compliance, product and collection assortment, process management, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement improvements that increase capacity, reduce turnaround time, or strengthen quality standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for franchise partners on customs inquiries, ensuring a best-in-class experience.

Inventory & Sell-Down

• Analyze sales trends and inventory data to identify sell-down needs and communicate recommendations to the Retail Operations Manager and Director.
• Collaborate with the Brand + Commerce Manager on promotional and markdown execution across platforms.
• Provide input on seasonal buys and replenishment decisions in partnership with the Director.

Qualifications and Experience

• 3–6 years of experience in activewear, fashion buying, merchandising, or product development — with a clear track record of owning decisions, not just supporting them.
• Strong creative eye with the ability to make design and assortment decisions that are both trend-informed and commercially grounded.
• Direct vendor management experience including production timelines, quality standards, and issue resolution.
• Familiarity with e-commerce platforms, product data management, and B2B/B2C channel dynamics.
• Knowledge of garment costing, pricing strategy, and sourcing.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills — able to manage multiple active programs simultaneously without losing detail.
• Strong communicator who can represent the department confidently with vendors and franchise partners.
• Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, business, or related field preferred.
• Experience with Shopify or similar e-commerce platforms as a plus.
• Ability to travel as needed for vendor meetings, fittings, and events.