ABOUT FILSON
In 1897 C.C. Filson began outfitting prospectors headed for the Gold Rush with tools and apparel strong enough for the toughest spots on earth. More than 100 years later, Filson remains committed to providing pioneers of all fields around the world with unfailing goods made from the highest quality materials available. Filson recognizes that it takes a world-class team to make a world-class product. As we build on the Filson legacy of American craftsmanship, we are looking for individuals who share our dedication to innovation, excellence, and superior customer service. We don’t work in silos but rely on open collaboration. It’s a jackknife mentality – the ability to accomplish more than what’s asked of you – that defines our culture of versatility and perseverance. Our outfitter mindset is deliberate and strategic. We are a small company, on purpose. We’re the ones doing the work, from product design and marketing, to cutting, sewing, and restoration. With more than 125 years under our belt, we still have a start-up mentality. Driven by an independent spirit and an uncompromising attitude that demands we lead with conviction.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Visual Merchandiser owns the visual merchandising strategy for Filson's store fleet from seasonal planning through in-season execution, translating product and brand storytelling into floor sets and channel merchandising plans that carry through retail, wholesale, and partner locations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Seasonal Planning + Visual Merchandising
- Create seasonal floor set directives and seasonal narratives (looks, color stories, etc.) to guide visual direction each season. (6-8 per year)
- Guide retail tiering strategies across pre-season and in-season, advising on store capacity and assortment planning.
- Present seasonal merchandising and the visual merchandising vision and product knowledge to store management team prior to each launch. Support execution in flagship and communicate any nuances / substitutions fleet wide relative to delays or shifts in business
- Communicate product delays and tiering strategy adjustments to retail teams.
- Deliver and reinforce floor set direction to retail teams in-season, executing layout changes that reinforce the consumer journey based on brand initiatives and current style selling.
- Manage the visual merchandising calendar and budget to drive efficiency.
Energy Moments + Promotions
- Partner with Creative and Marketing to develop in-store signage supporting merchandising initiatives, energy moments, collaborations, promotions and events.
- Support guest experience and hospitality initiatives playing into each store’s unique location / space
Channel Support + Store Environment
- Direct display standards for product displays, fixtures, and visual storytelling elements, and set and maintain lighting per company standard.
- Develop and communicate seasonal and holiday direction — artwork, imagery, furnishings, and music — and execute seasonal and holiday displays to enhance the store environment.
- Support retail, wholesale, and marketing teams through tailored merchandising plans for events.
Feedback + Innovation
- Establish a feedback loop between stores and merchandising to identify opportunities in store layout, color selection, and product displays, and partner with Retail Leadership to track compliance and level of execution at the store level.
- Identify visual merchandising opportunities and creative solutions during store visits, setting plans in motion directly rather than following up after the fact.
- Drive test-and-learn projects around layout changes, new fixtures, and other visual innovations to refine the customer experience.
Wholesale and Partner Channel Support
- Design and set up displays and mock shops for showrooms and trade shows during market weeks and buyer events.
- Create and distribute visual merchandising toolkits and planograms for wholesale partners to execute locally.
- Train retail staff and collaborate with sales reps to optimize product placement in third-party stores. (travel required)
- Guide international distributor partners on Filson store buildouts, including design inspiration, fixture packages, and additional support as needed.
- Act as lead designer and visual merchandiser for shop-in-shop opportunities, including fixture packages.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 4+ years of experience in Visual Merchandising, ideally with a blend of retail and corporate experience.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office. InDesign, Adobe Creative Suite, AI (Claude)
- Hands-on experience executing visual merchandising initiatives — window displays, mannequin styling, and campaign installations — in a retail store environment.
- Understanding of retail business structure: process, goals, reporting, and analysis.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and skilled at managing time effectively.
- Open to feedback and solution-oriented in applying it.
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment with flexibility and persistence, paired with a passion for improving processes.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Able to travel 20–30% of the time, including for market visits, new store openings, and refits.
- Able to lift and carry up to 35 pounds; heavier merchandise handled with team assist.
Note: This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive. Employee may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Filson and Shinola are equal opportunity employers. We believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings which are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy that all decisions involving any aspect of the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran and military status, genetic information, political ideology or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated.
With regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, the company offers what the law refers to as "reasonable accommodation" to enable a person to perform his or her job.
