Merchandise Manager - Swim

Lands' End; Dodgeville (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid flexibility

Relocation support

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Lands’ End is seeking a Merchandise Manager, Swim, hybrid role joining a team that steers the swim category from concept to customer. You will own product lifecycle, drive assortment strategy, and translate trends into profitable collections aligned with brand heritage.

You’ll collaborate with design, sourcing, planning and marketing to deliver cohesive ranges that meet performance and fit standards while achieving financial targets.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of merchandising experience in a fast‑paced retail environment.
• Demonstrated strength in assortment planning, trend analysis, and driving category growth through product strategy and execution.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret sales, margin, inventory, and performance data to inform decisions.
• Experience managing seasonal, fit‑driven categories with multiple silhouette and fabrication complexities.
• Omnichannel merchandising experience (digital, print, and retail) is a plus.
• Clear, confident communicator with the ability to influence and align cross‑functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Senior/DMM leadership to set and execute the strategic vision for the swim category, identifying key items, growth opportunities, and seasonal priorities.
• Own financial planning and performance for swim, including demand, margin, inventory productivity, and GMROI, driving top‑ and bottom‑line results.
• Develop and quantify category strategies that align with divisional objectives, brand goals, and the unique seasonality of the swim business.
• Lead the evolution of core swim programs while identifying white‑space opportunities in fit, coverage, fabrication, and functionality to inform future assortments.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Technical Design, Product Development/Sourcing, Planning, Inventory, Creative, and Marketing partners to deliver cohesive, customer‑centric swim assortments.
• Apply a strong point of view on fit, fabrication, performance features, and quality, ensuring swimwear meets Lands’ End standards and customer expectations.
• Monitor marketplace and competitive swim trends including silhouettes, prints, fabrication, and sustainability and translate them appropriately for the Lands’ End customer.
• Manage multiple projects from concept through execution, balancing seasonal calendars, timelines, and cross‑functional dependencies.
• Communicate financial and product strategies clearly through effective written and verbal updates to leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Identify risks and opportunities, sharing timely insights and recommendations with merchandising and channel partners.
• Coach and develop direct reports and the broader merchandising team through ongoing feedback, partnership, and leadership.

Skills

Merchandising

Assortment planning

Trend analysis

Financial analysis

Omnichannel merchandising

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

Description

This is a hybrid role with three weeks per month onsite (Mon. – Thurs.). The fourth week is fully remote.

As a Merchandise Manager, Swim you will own and drive the swim category through the full product lifecycle bringing together a strong product point of view, deep understanding of fit and function, and disciplined business judgment. You will lead the development of brand‑right swim assortments that balance style, fit innovation, performance fabrics, and commercial results, while delivering against financial goals including demand, margin, ad ratio, and GMROI. With a deep understanding of the Lands’ End customer and brand heritage, you’ll translate competitive, trend, and marketplace insights into swimwear that inspires confidence in and out of the water. You will help shape the swim vision across seasons, ensuring assortments reflect evolving customer needs—from core best‑selling silhouettes to newness driven by fabric innovation, fit enhancements, and emerging trends.

• Partner with Senior/DMM leadership to set and execute the strategic vision for the swim category, identifying key items, growth opportunities, and seasonal priorities.
• Own financial planning and performance for swim, including demand, margin, inventory productivity, and GMROI, driving both top‑ and bottom‑line results.
• Develop and quantify category strategies that align with divisional objectives, brand goals, and the unique seasonality of the swim business.
• Lead the evolution of core swim programs while identifying white‑space opportunities in fit, coverage, fabrication, and functionality to inform future assortments.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Technical Design, Product Development/Sourcing, Planning, Inventory, Creative, and Marketing partners to deliver cohesive, customer‑centric swim assortments.
• Apply a strong point of view on fit, fabrication, performance features, and quality, ensuring swimwear meets Lands’ End standards and customer expectations.
• Monitor marketplace and competitive swim trends including silhouettes, prints, fabrication, and sustainability and translate them appropriately for the Lands’ End customer.
• Manage multiple projects from concept through execution, balancing seasonal calendars, timelines, and cross‑functional dependencies.
• Communicate financial and product strategies clearly through effective written and verbal updates to leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Identify risks and opportunities, sharing timely insights and recommendations with merchandising and channel partners.
• Coach and develop direct reports and the broader merchandising team through ongoing feedback, partnership, and leadership.

What We're looking for

• 5–7 years of merchandising experience in a fast‑paced retail environment, ideally within swimwear, apparel, or performance categories.
• Demonstrated strength in assortment planning, trend analysis, and driving category growth through product strategy and execution.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret sales, margin, inventory, and performance data to inform decisions.
• Experience managing seasonal, fit‑driven categories with multiple silhouette and fabrication complexities.
• Omnichannel merchandising experience (digital, print, and retail) is a plus.
• Clear, confident communicator with the ability to influence and align cross‑functional partners.
• Proactive, solution‑oriented mindset with a passion for innovation, customer experience, and brand integrity.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, deadline‑driven environment.

Why Lands' End?

• Opportunity to shape and grow a core swim category for an iconic and trusted brand.
• Collaborative, innovative culture with strong cross‑functional partnership.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and relocation support.
• Hybrid flexibility with meaningful onsite collaboration.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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