J-1 Visa Director Of Merchandising Jobs
Director of Merchandising roles in the U.S. typically qualify for J-1 sponsorship under the Trainee or Specialist category, connecting experienced retail and buying professionals with host employers through a State Department-designated sponsor. Securing sponsorship means working with an organization that issues your DS-2019 and oversees your training plan.
See All Director Of Merchandising JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 10+ Director Of Merchandising jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 10+ Director Of Merchandising jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director Of Merchandising roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Chervon is one of the world’s largest power tool and outdoor power equipment manufacturers with a rich history of innovation. Chervon’s commitment to build a better world by building better tools is evident in the products we manufacture and our green approach to manufacturing. We focus on hand-held portable power tools, stationary bench tools, laser and electronic equipment and outdoor power equipment. With world-class R&D, design, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, sales, and service teams throughout the world, we do it all.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director of Sales – Hardware / Co‑Op Channel has full leadership responsibility for Chervon’s U.S. Hardware Co‑Op business, including key accounts such as Ace Hardware, Orgill, Do‑it Best, and other strategic partners. This role owns overall channel strategy, revenue growth, and profitability, and provides executive leadership to the Territory Sales Manager team and Key Account Managers selling EGO Outdoor Power Equipment and SKIL Power Tools. As a senior leader within the Hardware Channel, the Director is responsible for developing and executing strategic and operating plans, driving accurate channel forecasting, and ensuring alignment between sales execution and corporate objectives. The role partners closely with global back-end teams in Nanjing, China, as well as cross-functional North American teams including Brand, Product Management, Service, Channel Management, Marketing, Finance, and Senior Leadership.
LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Territory Sales Management Leadership
The Director provides strategic direction, coaching, and performance management for a team of Territory Sales Managers across assigned regions. This role is accountable for ensuring the team delivers sustainable, profitable growth through disciplined execution, effective retailer partnerships, and consistent sales processes.
Key leadership responsibilities include:
- Hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing Territory Sales Managers
- Setting clear performance expectations and sales objectives aligned to channel strategy
- Driving achievement of monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and profit targets
- Overseeing regional execution with retailers, buying groups, and multi-store hardware customers
- Ensuring consistent sales processes related to prospecting, conversions, training, merchandising, and service
- Providing coaching, field support, and performance feedback to maximize productivity and effectiveness
- Promoting efficient territory management, travel planning, and cost control
- Representing the organization at national, regional, and channel trade shows and key industry events
Key Account Leadership
The Director works in close partnership with the Key Account Managers to develop and execute long-term growth strategies for national and cooperative hardware accounts. This role ensures account strategies are aligned across Residential, Commercial and E‑Commerce channels, with a strong focus on long-term revenue, margin, and brand sustainability.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and executing comprehensive account strategies in collaboration with the VP of Sales
- Leading product line reviews, new product launches, and assortment optimization initiatives
- Building and maintaining senior-level relationships with key account decision makers
- Negotiating programs, promotions, and initiatives with major co-op partners (e.g., Ace, Orgill, Do‑it Best)
- Driving alignment across merchandising, branding, marketing, supply chain, operations, product development, and finance
- Ensuring flawless execution of store support, merchandising, and field-level programs
Strategic, Financial & Cross-Functional Accountability
The Director of Sales is accountable for channel-level performance and serves as a key contributor to enterprise planning and decision-making.
Core responsibilities include:
- Ownership of Hardware Channel P&L in coordination with supporting functions
- Development of annual strategic plans and long-range growth initiatives for key accounts
- Creating, managing, and forecasting channel and brand budgets
- Providing accurate sales forecasts and regular analysis of sell-in, wholesale, POS, inventory, and event performance
- Analyzing metrics and insights to refine strategy, investments, and execution plans
- Leading and participating in internal sales meetings, reviews, and planning sessions
- Delivering clear, data-driven reporting aligned to key performance indicators
- Driving profitable growth while ensuring alignment with corporate goals and brand strategy
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of forecasting experience
- Minimum of 10 years’ proven work experience in the industry
- Strong sales and people management/engagement skills
- Analytic problem solving
- Experience in hiring and growing sales in an assigned territory
- Strategic intuition and thought process expertise
- Collaborative work style
- Experienced in retail, consumer, or brand
- Strong Microsoft Suite skills, SharePoint
- Experience with CRM/Salesforce
- Excellent verbal and written presentation skills
COMPENSATION:
- The salary range for this position is $155k to $180k base salary. Offers are generally made between this range depending on skills, experience and internal equity. In some cases, highly qualified candidates may receive an offer outside of the posted range.
COMPETENCIES:
- Strong People Management Skills
- Thought leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Project planning
- Business acumen
- Personal effectiveness/credibility
- Communication proficiency
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of the tool and outdoor power equipment industries
TRAVEL:
This position requires up to 30% travel; some weekend events; some international.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position operates from either a remote home location or from the Naperville, IL corporate office (preferred). It also requires communication via email and video conference with international teams on a weekly basis. Chervon North America operates in a casual and fun environment. We offer a very competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, short/long-term disability, life insurance, parental leave, a generous 401(k) match, an open PTO program and a hybrid work environment.
We think Chervon is a great place to work! Be part of our new future!
Better Tools. Better World.
Chervon North America, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, age, religion, color, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender, pregnancy, military status, order of protection status, transgender status, genetic information, or any other category protected by law.
INTRODUCTION
Chervon is one of the world’s largest power tool and outdoor power equipment manufacturers with a rich history of innovation. Chervon’s commitment to build a better world by building better tools is evident in the products we manufacture and our green approach to manufacturing. We focus on hand-held portable power tools, stationary bench tools, laser and electronic equipment and outdoor power equipment. With world-class R&D, design, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, sales, and service teams throughout the world, we do it all.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director of Sales – Hardware / Co‑Op Channel has full leadership responsibility for Chervon’s U.S. Hardware Co‑Op business, including key accounts such as Ace Hardware, Orgill, Do‑it Best, and other strategic partners. This role owns overall channel strategy, revenue growth, and profitability, and provides executive leadership to the Territory Sales Manager team and Key Account Managers selling EGO Outdoor Power Equipment and SKIL Power Tools. As a senior leader within the Hardware Channel, the Director is responsible for developing and executing strategic and operating plans, driving accurate channel forecasting, and ensuring alignment between sales execution and corporate objectives. The role partners closely with global back-end teams in Nanjing, China, as well as cross-functional North American teams including Brand, Product Management, Service, Channel Management, Marketing, Finance, and Senior Leadership.
LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Territory Sales Management Leadership
The Director provides strategic direction, coaching, and performance management for a team of Territory Sales Managers across assigned regions. This role is accountable for ensuring the team delivers sustainable, profitable growth through disciplined execution, effective retailer partnerships, and consistent sales processes.
Key leadership responsibilities include:
- Hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing Territory Sales Managers
- Setting clear performance expectations and sales objectives aligned to channel strategy
- Driving achievement of monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and profit targets
- Overseeing regional execution with retailers, buying groups, and multi-store hardware customers
- Ensuring consistent sales processes related to prospecting, conversions, training, merchandising, and service
- Providing coaching, field support, and performance feedback to maximize productivity and effectiveness
- Promoting efficient territory management, travel planning, and cost control
- Representing the organization at national, regional, and channel trade shows and key industry events
Key Account Leadership
The Director works in close partnership with the Key Account Managers to develop and execute long-term growth strategies for national and cooperative hardware accounts. This role ensures account strategies are aligned across Residential, Commercial and E‑Commerce channels, with a strong focus on long-term revenue, margin, and brand sustainability.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and executing comprehensive account strategies in collaboration with the VP of Sales
- Leading product line reviews, new product launches, and assortment optimization initiatives
- Building and maintaining senior-level relationships with key account decision makers
- Negotiating programs, promotions, and initiatives with major co-op partners (e.g., Ace, Orgill, Do‑it Best)
- Driving alignment across merchandising, branding, marketing, supply chain, operations, product development, and finance
- Ensuring flawless execution of store support, merchandising, and field-level programs
Strategic, Financial & Cross-Functional Accountability
The Director of Sales is accountable for channel-level performance and serves as a key contributor to enterprise planning and decision-making.
Core responsibilities include:
- Ownership of Hardware Channel P&L in coordination with supporting functions
- Development of annual strategic plans and long-range growth initiatives for key accounts
- Creating, managing, and forecasting channel and brand budgets
- Providing accurate sales forecasts and regular analysis of sell-in, wholesale, POS, inventory, and event performance
- Analyzing metrics and insights to refine strategy, investments, and execution plans
- Leading and participating in internal sales meetings, reviews, and planning sessions
- Delivering clear, data-driven reporting aligned to key performance indicators
- Driving profitable growth while ensuring alignment with corporate goals and brand strategy
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of forecasting experience
- Minimum of 10 years’ proven work experience in the industry
- Strong sales and people management/engagement skills
- Analytic problem solving
- Experience in hiring and growing sales in an assigned territory
- Strategic intuition and thought process expertise
- Collaborative work style
- Experienced in retail, consumer, or brand
- Strong Microsoft Suite skills, SharePoint
- Experience with CRM/Salesforce
- Excellent verbal and written presentation skills
COMPENSATION:
- The salary range for this position is $155k to $180k base salary. Offers are generally made between this range depending on skills, experience and internal equity. In some cases, highly qualified candidates may receive an offer outside of the posted range.
COMPETENCIES:
- Strong People Management Skills
- Thought leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Project planning
- Business acumen
- Personal effectiveness/credibility
- Communication proficiency
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of the tool and outdoor power equipment industries
TRAVEL:
This position requires up to 30% travel; some weekend events; some international.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position operates from either a remote home location or from the Naperville, IL corporate office (preferred). It also requires communication via email and video conference with international teams on a weekly basis. Chervon North America operates in a casual and fun environment. We offer a very competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, short/long-term disability, life insurance, parental leave, a generous 401(k) match, an open PTO program and a hybrid work environment.
We think Chervon is a great place to work! Be part of our new future!
Better Tools. Better World.
Chervon North America, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, age, religion, color, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender, pregnancy, military status, order of protection status, transgender status, genetic information, or any other category protected by law.
See all 10+ Director Of Merchandising jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director Of Merchandising roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Director Of Merchandising
Document your merchandising expertise before applying
Compile performance reviews, category sales reports, and assortment planning examples that demonstrate progressive responsibility. J-1 Trainee and Specialist categories require proof that your experience abroad directly justifies the proposed U.S. training program.
Target host employers with structured training programs
Retail organizations with formal merchandise planning rotations are far more likely to complete the DS-7002 training plan required by a designated sponsor. Mid-size specialty retailers and department store chains often have HR teams already familiar with J-1 host requirements.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1 compatible roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter Director of Merchandising positions posted by employers experienced with exchange visitor placements. Identifying the right host employer upfront saves weeks of back-and-forth with a designated sponsor about program fit.
Clarify the home residency requirement with your sponsor
Some Specialist and Trainee program participants are subject to a two-year home country residency requirement after their exchange. If your field is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for your home country, confirm this with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Align your DS-7002 objectives to buying and allocation cycles
The DS-7002 training plan must include specific learning objectives tied to your host employer's actual operations. Frame your objectives around seasonal open-to-buy management, vendor negotiation, and inventory turn metrics so the plan reads as genuinely educational, not as regular employment.
Confirm SEVIS transfer rules if switching host employers
If your initial host employer changes after your DS-2019 is issued, your designated sponsor must approve the transfer before you begin work. SEVIS records are employer-specific, and starting at a new host without authorization puts your J-1 status at risk.
Director Of Merchandising jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Director Of Merchandising JobsDirector Of Merchandising J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Director of Merchandising role?
Most Director of Merchandising placements fall under the Trainee or Specialist category. Trainee applies if you have a relevant degree and at least one year of post-graduation experience, or five or more years of professional experience in merchandising without a degree. Specialist applies to recognized experts with a more focused, shorter-term exchange objective tied to a specific area of retail buying or assortment strategy.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa, and what does the host employer do?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE, that issues your DS-2019, files your SEVIS record, and monitors your training plan compliance. The host employer, typically the retail company where you work, provides the actual position and co-signs the DS-7002 training plan but is not the designated visa sponsor.
How do I find retail employers willing to host a J-1 exchange visitor at the director level?
Use Migrate Mate to search Director of Merchandising listings from employers who have experience working with exchange visitors. Director-level J-1 placements require a host employer ready to invest in a formal training plan and coordinate with a designated sponsor, so targeting companies already familiar with that process significantly reduces friction in the offer stage.
Can I transition from J-1 status to a permanent work visa in a merchandising role?
A transition is possible but depends on whether you are subject to the two-year home residency requirement. If that requirement applies, you must return home for two years or obtain a waiver before changing to H-1B, L-1, or immigrant visa status. Director of Merchandising roles can qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B if the position requires a directly related bachelor's degree, but your employer would need to initiate that separate petition process.
What goes into the DS-7002 training plan for a merchandising director position?
The DS-7002 must outline specific phase-by-phase learning objectives tied to your host employer's business, covering areas like open-to-buy planning, vendor management, markdown strategy, and cross-functional collaboration with planning and allocation teams. Objectives need to be measurable and genuinely educational rather than a description of standard job duties. Your designated sponsor reviews and approves the plan before issuing the DS-2019.
See which Director Of Merchandising employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Director Of Merchandising Jobs