EXCLUSIVE: Brunt Workwear Names Nike Alum Scott Roberts as Chief Merchandising Officer

Brunt Workwear is adding to its executive team.

The North Reading, Mass.-based boot and apparel brand has hired industry veteran Scott Roberts as its new chief merchandising officer.

In an interview with FN, Roberts noted that in his new role he will have the opportunity to “solidify” what the brand’s core product offering is to its target consumer.

“We refer to these core items as ‘everyday must-haves’ and we will look at how we can extend those and launch some new opportunities,” Roberts said. “We’ve got a couple of great segments coming in 2026 where you will see an expansion of the breadth and reach of the Brunt brand.”

Roberts joins Brunt after a six-year tenure at Columbia Sportswear Company, where he most recently served as vice president and head of merchandising for the Columbia brand. He also spent over fifteen years at Nike, leading both global product creation and merchandising teams across multiple consumer categories. Previous roles at Nike include senior director of marketplace merchandising in North America, senior director of merchandising for men’s training, and category merchandise director for Nike SB.

“I was drawn to Brunt because of how committed they are to putting trade workers at the center of everything they do,” Roberts added. “They’re not just rebranding the same old workwear. They’re innovating from the ground up based on what people actually need on the job. That kind of focus is what sets Brunt apart. They’re building a brand with purpose, and the potential for growth is unlimited.”

Since launching in 2020 to serve the 35 million U.S. trade workers, Brunt has grown rapidly and is now bringing in leadership to scale as demand for skilled trades – some projected to grow as much as 50 percent by 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – continues to surge.

Eric Girouard, founder and chief executive officer of Brunt, Roberts “played a critical role with brands known for blending innovation with reliable performance, but what also stood out to me is that he understands our mission and how important it is that we give our customers a seat at the table in an industry that has left them all behind.”

“He brings a fresh perspective and a clear focus on making sure Brunt delivers what our customers need,” Girouard said. “We’re fired up to bring him in, and to keep raising the bar for products that work as hard as our customers do.”

Roberts’ addition comes at a pivotal time, as recent partnerships with the New England Patriots, the Gillette Stadium Field Crew, and Boston Bruins star Charlie McAvoy have further amplified Brunt’s connection to blue-collar communities.