Vancouver Whitecaps FC is seeking an Academy Kit & Equipment Coordinator who is responsible for the day-to-day preparation, organization and management of kit and equipment for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy's U15, U16 and U18 teams.
Reporting to the Manager of Equipment Operations, the successful candidate will ensure that players and coaching staff have the appropriate kit and equipment available for training sessions, home matches, designated tournaments and other Academy activities.
The role is responsible for maintaining high standards of organization, cleanliness, inventory control and operational readiness across Academy equipment, changing rooms and storage areas. It also includes coordinating equipment transportation and supporting designated player logistics during away weekends and tournament travel.
The successful candidate will work closely with the wider Equipment Operations department, Academy coaching staff and relevant club personnel to deliver a professional, reliable and well-organized environment that supports player development and performance.
Key Responsibilities
Training Day Operations
- Prepare and organize equipment for U15, U16 and U18 training sessions.
- Ensure all required training equipment is prepared, checked and delivered to the appropriate fields before sessions begin.
- Coordinate with coaching staff to anticipate equipment requirements and accommodate changes to training plans.
- Collect, check, count and return all training equipment following each session, reporting missing or damaged items.
- Maintain the cleanliness, organization and presentation of equipment rooms, changing rooms and associated storage areas.
- Ensure equipment is stored securely and safely and that all working areas meet club standards
Academy Matchday Operations
- Attend all scheduled Academy home matches at NSDC and ensure equipment and changing-room preparations are completed to the required standard.
- Prepare and distribute match kits, warm-up apparel, goalkeeper equipment, towels, water and other required matchday supplies.
- Transport and set up required field equipment before warm-ups and matches.
- Support the coordination of matchday equipment requirements with coaching staff and Academy Operations.
- Assist with referee and visiting-team equipment requests when required.
- Maintain the organization and presentation of technical areas, team benches, dressing rooms and other designated matchday spaces.
- Complete post-match collection, inventory checks and the in-house laundering of match kits, ensuring all items are cleaned, dried, organized and stored correctly for future use.
- Identify and report equipment shortages, damage or other issues requiring follow-up.
Equipment, Inventory & Stock Management
- Maintain accurate inventory records for Academy kit, training equipment, consumables and other assigned assets.
- Monitor stock levels and identify replenishment requirements before shortages affect training or match preparation.
- Assist with the receipt, checking, sorting, storage and distribution of equipment and apparel deliveries.
- Coordinate replenishment of toiletries, laundry products, cleaning materials and locker-room supplies.
- Maintain records of equipment issued, returned, damaged or requiring replacement.
- Assist with seasonal kit distribution, player sizing, kit exchanges and the organization of equipment allocations.
- Support stock counts, inventory audits and equipment reconciliation as directed by the Manager of Equipment Operations.
- Identify opportunities to improve storage, stock tracking, equipment care and day-to-day efficiency.
Travel & Tournament Operations
- Coordinate the preparation, packing, loading and transportation of Academy equipment for designated travel and tournament requirements.
- Attend designated Academy tournament trips, including MLS NEXT Fest, Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Flex and MLS NEXT Cup, as scheduled.
- Prepare and maintain equipment inventories for travel, ensuring all required items are packed, accounted for and available at the destination.
- Coordinate equipment drop-off and collection at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) during designated away-weekend schedules.
- Assist with the designated drop-off and collection of billet players in accordance with club procedures and safeguarding requirements.
- Communicate with the Manager of Equipment Operations and relevant Academy staff regarding travel arrangements, equipment requirements and schedule changes.
- Complete post-trip equipment reconciliation, laundry and storage.
Routine away-weekend travel with the team is not required. Attendance at designated tournament trips and equipment and player logistics duties will be required as scheduled.
Communication & Departmental Collaboration
- Maintain regular communication with the Manager of Equipment Operations regarding equipment requirements, inventory, operational issues and upcoming activities.
- Work collaboratively with Academy coaches, Academy Operations and other relevant departments to ensure equipment requirements are communicated and delivered on time.
- Respond proactively to changes in training schedules, fixtures and equipment requirements.
- Follow established club procedures for purchasing, inventory management, equipment handling and reporting.
- Contribute to a positive, professional and collaborative working environment across the Equipment Operations department.
Health, Safety & Safeguarding
- Follow all club health and safety policies and procedures when handling, transporting, cleaning and storing equipment.
- Maintain safe, clean and organized equipment and storage areas.
- Follow established procedures for the use of laundry equipment, cleaning products and other operational materials.
- Comply with club safeguarding policies and procedures when working with Academy players, including during travel and billet-related activities.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and report safeguarding concerns through the club's established channels.
- Protect confidential club, player and staff information.
Qualifications & Experience
- Previous experience in equipment management, kit operations, logistics or a related role is preferred.
- Experience in professional football, an Academy environment or another high-performance sporting environment is an asset.
- A strong knowledge of and passion for soccer.
- Experience with inventory management, stock control or equipment tracking is an asset.
- Familiarity with apparel preparation and equipment maintenance is preferred.
- A valid driver's licence and the ability to meet club requirements for driving duties.
- Ability to complete any required background screening and safeguarding training.
Skills, Abilities & Attributes
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Reliable, punctual and proactive, with a strong work ethic.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and respond to changing operational requirements.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team.
- A professional, positive and flexible approach.
- Willingness to learn, accept feedback and continuously improve.
- Ability to maintain high standards in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
- Ability to handle and lift equipment weighing up to 35 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk and perform physical duties for extended periods.
- Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends and other irregular hours as required by training, match and travel schedules.
Why Join Us?
Join Vancouver Whitecaps FC and play a hands-on role in helping the Academy’s next generation of players train, compete and develop at the highest level. You’ll work in a collaborative, high-performance environment with the chance to travel to premier tournaments like MLS NEXT Fest and the Generation adidas Cup.
The Club
Vancouver Whitecaps FC is the longest-running professional soccer club in Canada and the United States. Since its inaugural season in 1974, the club has united generations of loyal fans in British Columbia and beyond. With academies in eight out of ten provinces, a network of partner clubs, and hundreds of camps and clinics every year, Whitecaps FC provide a foundation for Canada’s soccer future.
We are also strongly committed to providing opportunities to Canadian athletes, both male and female, with the largest soccer development structure in Canada. This includes academy programs in eight of ten provinces across the country.
In addition to building a winning team on and off the pitch, the Club places great importance in giving back to our community, harnessing the power of sport to create a stronger, more equitable & inclusive society through three key community goals: helping meet critical needs, using soccer to build life skills and creating soccer participation opportunities in Indigenous communities.
Inclusion Statement
Vancouver Whitecaps FC believes that diversity and inclusion is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This includes but is not limited to people of colour, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People & Culture department.
"Within these walls, you are welcomed, accepted, and respected. Here, no matter who you are or where you come from, you are home. And you’re part of the team regardless of your age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, marital or family status, disability, or religious belief or non-belief. All we ask is that you be ethical and inclusive in all that you do. Be respectful of all players, fans, and staff, and remember to cheer loudest for the ones wearing the blue and white. Go ‘Caps!"
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
