S&S Activewear
Director of Merchandising (Hybrid)
S&S Activewear, Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States, 60440
Director of Merchandising (Hybrid or Remote)
S&S Activewear is seeking a Director of Merchandising to lead the strategic direction, category development, and financial performance of our non-apparel product portfolio. This role will oversee multiple product categories—such as headwear, bags and accessories—and will be responsible for driving innovation, customer relevance, and profitable growth across these businesses. This leader will bring deep merchandising expertise, a customer-first mindset, and a strong ability to influence cross-functional teams and vendor partners. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and be passionate about building differentiated assortments that meet the evolving needs of our customers.
About Us S&S Activewear is a leading North American, tech-enabled specialty distributor of imprintable apparel, including t-shirts, fleece, athletic wear, headwear, workwear, scrubs and accessories. We differentiate in the market through a customer service focus, strategic product portfolio, world-class distribution infrastructure, a collaborative growth culture and a relentless focus on technology and innovation. Our brand partners include Adidas, Columbia and Gildan, serving a hyper-fragmented base of customers across apparel decorators, eRetailers and promotional products distributors.
Schedule Monday-Friday, Full-Time, Exempt. Hybrid or Remote available. Hybrid address: 220 Remington Blvd, Bolingbrook, IL.
What You Will Do
Category Strategy & Portfolio Leadership:
Define and execute a multi-year merchandising strategy across non-apparel categories aligned with company vision, customer needs, and financial goals.
Portfolio Targets:
Own category-level financial targets including revenue, margin, and inventory productivity.
Line Architecture:
Lead line architecture planning across multiple categories, ensuring a balanced and differentiated assortment by brand, price point, use case, and trend.
Innovation:
Identify white space opportunities and drive innovation through new product development and strategic brand partnerships.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Partner with Purchasing/Planning, Marketing, Sales, Strategy, and Operations to deliver cohesive go-to-market strategies and successful product launches. Influence cross-functional roadmaps to align on category priorities, customer segmentation, and seasonal initiatives. Collaborate with digital and technology teams to enhance product discovery and merchandising effectiveness across channels.
Vendor & Brand Management:
Build and manage strategic vendor relationships to ensure alignment on product development, exclusivity, and execution. Create roadmaps to drive mutual growth and profitability.
Customer & Market Insights:
Leverage customer data, feedback, and trends to inform assortment decisions and category strategies. Monitor competitive landscape and consumer behavior to identify emerging trends and market shifts. Engage directly with key customers to understand their business needs and translate insights into actionable merchandising plans.
Leadership & Talent Development:
Lead and develop a high-performing merchandising team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Mentor category managers and merchants, providing strategic guidance and career development support. Champion diversity of thought and inclusive product strategies that reflect the needs of a broad customer base.
What We're Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, or product strategy, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Proven success managing multi-category portfolios in a high-growth, multi-supplier environment.
Strong financial acumen and experience owning P&L-level accountability.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Deep understanding of customer segmentation, product lifecycle management, and go-to-market execution.
Analytical mindset with a passion for data-driven decision-making and trend forecasting.
Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.
Equal Opportunity S&S Activewear is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse culture and supporting human growth. We recruit, hire, train, promote, and terminate employees based on ability, achievement, experience and conduct, and other legitimate business reasons. We participate in E-Verify and will provide Form I-9 information to verify eligibility to work in the U.S. This job offer is contingent upon satisfactory background check.
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at S&S Activewear. Get notified about new Merchandise Director jobs in Bolingbrook, IL.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About Us S&S Activewear is a leading North American, tech-enabled specialty distributor of imprintable apparel, including t-shirts, fleece, athletic wear, headwear, workwear, scrubs and accessories. We differentiate in the market through a customer service focus, strategic product portfolio, world-class distribution infrastructure, a collaborative growth culture and a relentless focus on technology and innovation. Our brand partners include Adidas, Columbia and Gildan, serving a hyper-fragmented base of customers across apparel decorators, eRetailers and promotional products distributors.
Schedule Monday-Friday, Full-Time, Exempt. Hybrid or Remote available. Hybrid address: 220 Remington Blvd, Bolingbrook, IL.
What You Will Do
Category Strategy & Portfolio Leadership:
Define and execute a multi-year merchandising strategy across non-apparel categories aligned with company vision, customer needs, and financial goals.
Portfolio Targets:
Own category-level financial targets including revenue, margin, and inventory productivity.
Line Architecture:
Lead line architecture planning across multiple categories, ensuring a balanced and differentiated assortment by brand, price point, use case, and trend.
Innovation:
Identify white space opportunities and drive innovation through new product development and strategic brand partnerships.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Partner with Purchasing/Planning, Marketing, Sales, Strategy, and Operations to deliver cohesive go-to-market strategies and successful product launches. Influence cross-functional roadmaps to align on category priorities, customer segmentation, and seasonal initiatives. Collaborate with digital and technology teams to enhance product discovery and merchandising effectiveness across channels.
Vendor & Brand Management:
Build and manage strategic vendor relationships to ensure alignment on product development, exclusivity, and execution. Create roadmaps to drive mutual growth and profitability.
Customer & Market Insights:
Leverage customer data, feedback, and trends to inform assortment decisions and category strategies. Monitor competitive landscape and consumer behavior to identify emerging trends and market shifts. Engage directly with key customers to understand their business needs and translate insights into actionable merchandising plans.
Leadership & Talent Development:
Lead and develop a high-performing merchandising team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Mentor category managers and merchants, providing strategic guidance and career development support. Champion diversity of thought and inclusive product strategies that reflect the needs of a broad customer base.
What We're Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, or product strategy, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Proven success managing multi-category portfolios in a high-growth, multi-supplier environment.
Strong financial acumen and experience owning P&L-level accountability.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Deep understanding of customer segmentation, product lifecycle management, and go-to-market execution.
Analytical mindset with a passion for data-driven decision-making and trend forecasting.
Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.
Equal Opportunity S&S Activewear is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse culture and supporting human growth. We recruit, hire, train, promote, and terminate employees based on ability, achievement, experience and conduct, and other legitimate business reasons. We participate in E-Verify and will provide Form I-9 information to verify eligibility to work in the U.S. This job offer is contingent upon satisfactory background check.
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at S&S Activewear. Get notified about new Merchandise Director jobs in Bolingbrook, IL.
#J-18808-Ljbffr