Assistant Gear Manager

• Assistant Gear Manager Position

Full time/hourly/in-person Start Date: March, 2026

Alpine Ascents is a leader in the mountaineering industry, offering climbers of all levels the opportunity to achieve their personal climbing aspirations. This year will mark our 40th anniversary leading successful expeditions around the world.

The Alpine Ascents Gear Department is a vital part of global operations. We specialize in delivering high quality logistics and customer service through exceptional diligence and attention to detail.

• Assistant Gear Managers work in a key leadership role to ensure smooth operational functions of all Alpine Ascents courses and trips. The responsibilities of the role vary with the season and require a flexible, patient, and go-getter attitude.

Work Environment:

This role is full-time (40 hours/week) and in person at our Seattle headquarters. Schedule varies with the season; includes weekends in peak season and occasional weekends in winter.

Assistant Gear Managers serve a critical role in supporting smooth trip operations and providing excellent and informative customer service to our climbers and retail customers. Key Responsibilities include:

• Answer phones, emails and customer inquiries regarding mountaineering equipment and programs
• Schedule and conduct gear consults with clients in person or virtual
• Assist in the training and daily management of seasonal gear staff
• Assist in the management of the retail store, including packing/shipping orders, stocking/inventory, and assisting customers
• Assist in the management of the AAI gear fleet
• Assist in the preparation of food and equipment for climbs and courses
• Assist with general facility maintenance
• Take part in planning and strategy sessions with leadership team, including process review, systems development, change implementation, and performance analysis of staff and business sectors.
• Additional tasks and projects as assigned in a dynamic work environment

Requirements:

• Adapt to a wide variety of tasks with a flexible, patient, and go-getter attitude
• Highly organized with proven attention to detail
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong work ethic
• Clear and effective communication skills – verbal and written
• Proficient computer skills, and familiarity with a variety of digital tools and programs (Microsoft suite, Google docs/sheets, WordPress, databases)
• Willing to work a variable schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and long days
• Must be willing and able to drive a 15 passenger van with trailer
• Clean driving record
• 25 years of age or older
• Able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50lbs
• WA State Food Handlers Permit (easily obtained online)

Desired Qualifications:

• Outdoor industry experience
• Retail experience
• Extensive mountaineering and climbing gear knowledge
• Prior customer service experience in a high-volume, fast-paced setting
• Company knowledge/familiarity

Ideal Candidate:

Our ideal candidate is an organizational mastermind, meticulously detail-oriented, proactive, and genuinely enjoys opportunities to go above and beyond to provide the highest level of personalized service to our climbers. They should enjoy working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds and actively foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for climbers, seasonal staff, and guides. Those with extensive mountaineering/climbing experience and/or former guiding experience are encouraged to apply, as are those with prior retail experience in the outdoor industry.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $26/hour
• Benefits (after 90 days): Health Insurance, Vision, Life Insurance, contributory retirement savings plan
• PTO: 15 days/year after 90 days, 25 days/year after 4 years
• Pro-Deal discounts for outdoor gear, plus 30% off in the AAI retail store
• Opportunities to join summit climbs or courses as schedule allows
• Be part of a tight-knit community of passionate mountain adventurers
• Team building work events like cragging sessions, mini golf, and cocktail hour!

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should email a resume and a cover letter using the subject line “Assistant Gear Manager Application” to csampaio@alpineascents.com.