Director, Merchandising, Utility

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The Director of Merchandising for Utility oversees the merchandising strategy, line architecture, and commercial performance for the work boot product category. The role balances consumer insights, competitive trends, and financial goals to build a profitable, channel‑right assortment. Working cross‑functionally with Product, Sales, Marketing, Insights, and Planning, this position translates market feedback and category analytics into informed assortment decisions, pricing direction, and whitespace opportunities.

It also guides seasonal GTM readiness and ensures Utility products are positioned and communicated effectively across global markets. This role supports the long‑term growth of the Utility category through clear merchandising strategy, thoughtful product planning, and consistent market evaluation.

• Leads the end‑to‑end merchandising strategy for the Utility product line, ensuring alignment with brand vision, long‑term business objectives, and market opportunities; owns the seasonal line architecture and multi‑year roadmap.
• Defines and optimizes the product portfolio through data‑driven insights, managing lifecycle planning, SKU efficiency, margin performance, and segmentation strategies.
• Oversees comprehensive market, competitor, and consumer analyses to inform product positioning, price architecture, and assortment decisions.
• Directs the GTM process, ensuring seasonal strategies, launch timelines, and cross‑functional alignment across Merchandising, Product, Sales, and Marketing.
• Serves as a key merchandising voice in pre‑line, line review, and key account presentations, providing strategic guidance to cross‑functional partners.
• Owns pricing frameworks, ensuring alignment with financial targets and market dynamics.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Merchandising, Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Retail Management, or related field.
• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant experience in merchandising, category management, product strategy, or a related field, preferably in a senior or strategic merchandising role with direct experience leading assortment planning, pricing architecture, and go‑to‑market execution.

Any equivalent combination of experience and education which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions may substitute on a year‑for‑year basis.

• Deep understanding of product lifecycle management, SKU rationalization, pricing architecture, and segmentation strategies.
• Strong grasp of consumer behavior, buying trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscape analysis.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, margin optimization, and sales performance analysis.
• Expertise in aligning merchandising strategy with marketing and sales initiatives for successful product launches.
• Knowledge of wholesale, e‑commerce, and direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) strategies.
• Ability to develop long‑term merchandising plans that align with corporate growth objectives.
• Proficiency in evaluating sales data, market trends, and performance metrics to drive informed merchandising decisions.
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and deliverables across teams.
• Skilled in partnering with Product, Sales, Marketing, and Finance to drive business success.
• Ability to present data‑driven insights and strategies to leadership, sales teams, and key accounts.
• Experience with merchandising tools such as PLM software (e.g., Centric), ERP systems, and Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Ability to pivot strategies based on market shifts, sales trends, and business needs.
• Ensures merchandising plans are executed with precision, aligning with brand and revenue goals.
• Stays ahead of emerging industry trends, technologies, and consumer expectations.
• Ability to…