Product Development & Merchandising Manager - Athleisure & Outerwear

About Comfrt

Comfrt is one of the fastest-growing DTC apparel brands in the world, with a social presence that even industry giants envy. Founded just three years ago, we’ve quickly built a reputation for stylish, elevated, and functional clothing designed to deliver unmatched comfort. From subtly weighted hoodies and sweatpants to cozy blankets and even pet hoodies, every Comfrt piece is created to inspire relaxation, support well-being, and promote a positive mindset.

The Product Development & Merchandising Manager for Athleisure & Outerwear owns the end-to-end execution of technically driven, fashion-forward product, from concept through market launch. This role sits at the intersection of product vision, technical development, and merchandising strategy, partnering closely with Design, Sourcing, QA, Production (as a key execution partner), Operations, Inventory, and Marketing.

• A well-rounded product expert with deep experience in athleisure and/or outerwear, fluent in fabric, fit, performance, and silhouette
• Obsessed with great product—you sweat the details that make something look better, feel better, and perform better
• A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves operator who takes ownership from idea through execution
• Entrepreneurial and innovative, able to think creatively while making smart, strategic decisions
• A strong fashion and market thinker with a clear point of view on trends and competition
• Both creative and data-driven, balancing taste with commercial performance
• A clear, confident communicator and collaborative partner across teams and vendors
• Thrives in a fast-paced, start-up environment with evolving priorities

Product Development & Technical Execution

• Own the full product lifecycle for athleisure and outerwear categories, from concept, briefing, and development through launch
• Translate brand vision, performance requirements, and trend insights into technically sound, fashion-forward product
• Lead product development across performance knits, fleece, woven outerwear, insulation systems, and trims
• Manage wash approvals, fabric handfeel, stretch, recovery, and enforce shade bands for consistent color execution manage prototypes in correct construction, color, and timing for fittings, key reviews, photo shoots, and influencer seeding.
• Lead daily communication with vendor partners to ensure technical clarity, progress, and resolution of development issues

Performance, Fabric & Construction Expertise

• Apply deep knowledge of performance fabrics, function and fit to deliver the highest quality product
• Evaluate fabric performance attributes
• Partner with QA to review fabric and garment testing (ASTM/AATCC) and ensure performance standards are met prior to bulk
• Ensure garments meet category-specific functional requirements (mobility, warmth, layering, comfort, durability)

Merchandising & Product Strategy

• Own competitive market analysis across athleisure and outerwear, maintaining a deep understanding of fashion, ecommerce, retail, and performance trends
• Monitor key competitors, pricing architecture, product features, fabric innovations, silhouettes, and category gaps
• Develop a strong point of view on where Comfrt should play, win, and differentiate within the athleisure and outerwear landscape
• Analyze sales performance, margin, sell-through, returns, and customer feedback to inform product decisions
• Use data to drive long term product roadmap, seasonal line plans, SKU architecture, depth, and color strategies within category
• Balance core, seasonal, and test styles to support growth, innovation, and commercial productivity
• Support pricing strategy based on product complexity, performance value, competitive landscape, and category contribution
• Partner with Planning, Finance, and Inventory to align product strategy with forecasts, inventory flow, and business targets

Cross-Functional Partnership (Including Production)

• Partner closely with Production as a key execution partner to ensure smooth handoff from development into bulk
• Ensure Production teams receive complete, accurate, and technically sound product information
• Collaborate with…