A Great Falls, MT, Career Story: Finding Success at North 40 Outfitters

Courtesy of North 40

Johanna Gamboa, supply chain manager for private brands at North 40 Outfitters, jokes that her job is on the complete other side of town from where she lives. Coming from a city in Colombia of 700,000 people to Great Falls, which has a population of around 60,000, a 15-minute commute isn’t so bad.

Gamboa, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Colombia, came to the U.S. about a decade ago to learn English and take her new skills back home for better opportunities. But she ended up falling for Montana, finding passion in her career and meeting her now husband. 

“I love Great Falls and Montana,” Gamboa says. “Humans are adaptable. Coming from a big city with warm weather, it took a bit to get used to. But skiing and outdoor recreation makes winter more enjoyable.”

That way she can truly thrive in her adopted Montana community.

North 40 Outfitters

Growing With North 40

When Gamboa first started working at North 40 Outfitters, a retail chain tailored to rural and outdoor lifestyles, the company only had one location in Great Falls, the East Great Falls store on 10th Avenue. She started as a buyer’s assistant in the hard line and lawn and garden departments.

As the company prepared to open the West Great Falls location, Gamboa was offered the opportunity to work as an executive assistant for the son of the company owner.

“It was a scary move for me, because I was enjoying my position in purchasing a lot,” Gamboa says. “But I’m so grateful for that opportunity, because I was able to learn so many things about the store operations side.”

In her role, Gamboa helped develop many operational processes as the company expanded to new stores and brands. Today, the company has 12 stores and over 1,000 employees. And Gamboa has found her footing in supply chain management, a career where no two days are ever the same. 

“I wear multiple hats. Our team is growing, but it’s still a small team,” Gamboa says. “I help to develop the customer service and e-commerce experience. I’m in charge of purchasing, inventory, forecasting and keeping track of deliveries.”

North 40 Outfitters

And sometimes the supply chain is unpredictable and deliveries don’t come in time.

“You always have to have a backup plan,” Gamboa says. “You might already have campaigns and advertisements set to run, but if the product isn’t arriving in time, you have to pivot. You’re troubleshooting all the time. It’s stressful in a sense but also brings you excitement. Every day is different.”

Gamboa oversees the company’s Artifacts line and even got to handle all the sourcing and development for its 100% virgin wool and 80% alpaca blankets while she was home in Colombia.

“To see that little piece from home in one of our stores was a very proud moment for me,” Gamboa says.

Supply chain management involves everything that happens to get a product to a shelf, from design and packaging to pricing. To get it right, Gamboa collaborates with many departments: e-commerce to ensure orders are being fulfilled; merchandising to move products in and out; retail to execute sales; marketing to collaborate on promotions; and developers to handle assortments.

“It’s a family-owned business and it feels like that,” Gamboa says. “The owner takes the time to go to your desk, shake your hand and say good morning. He knows everyone by name” 

After Hours

When she’s not at work, Gamboa enjoys tending to her garden, hiking and camping with friends, and skiing in the winter.

“I have met a group of women, some from in state and some from out of state, and we have developed a really strong friendship,” Gamboa says. “I enjoy catching up with them and meeting others in the community as well.”