Senior Apparel & Accessories Product Leader – Hybrid

Merrell; Rockford (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Merrell, based in Rockford, Michigan, seeks a Senior Product Line Manager, Apparel & Accessories, to shape the future of its apparel and accessories strategy. The role merges consumer insights, brand strategy, and market trends to identify growth opportunities and create compelling product concepts across licensing partners.

The position requires leading cross‑functional teams, influencing external partners, and delivering best‑in‑class consumer experiences in a fast‑evolving market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of progressive product line/merchandising experience in outdoor, athletic, lifestyle, apparel, and/or accessories industries.
• Strong experience across both apparel and accessories is highly desired.
• Proven leadership skills with experience influencing cross‑functional teams, external partners, and key stakeholders without direct authority.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and presentation skills, with the ability to operate and influence in a matrixed organization.
• Highly analytical and comfortable using data to identify opportunities, evaluate performance, and inform decision‑making.
• Experience navigating ambiguity, establishing priorities, and driving results in dynamic, fast‑changing business environments.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic direction into a global Apparel & Accessories product line strategy and range architecture, ensuring alignment with brand vision and growth objectives.
• Develop category and product strategies informed by consumer insights, market intelligence, competitive analysis, trends, and innovation opportunities.
• Create and deliver clear, inspiring product briefs that empower Licensees to develop best‑in‑class products aligned with Merrell's brand positioning and goals.
• Own the financial understanding of the Apparel & Accessories business, including category performance, assortment productivity, revenue, margin, and growth targets.
• Identify and champion new category opportunities, whitespace opportunities, and growth platforms for Apparel & Accessories.
• Influence and evolve range architecture frameworks, planning processes, and go‑to‑market approaches.
• Present product vision, category strategies, seasonal concepts, and business recommendations to senior leadership, retailers, sales teams, and partners.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with external Licensees while holding partners accountable for delivering high quality products.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Communication and presentation

Market trend analysis

Ambiguity navigation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Merrell, based in Rockford, Michigan, seeks a Senior Product Line Manager, Apparel & Accessories, to shape the future of its apparel and accessories strategy. The role merges consumer insights, brand strategy, and market trends to identify growth opportunities and create compelling product concepts across licensing partners.

The position requires leading cross‑functional teams, influencing external partners, and delivering best‑in‑class consumer experiences in a fast‑evolving market.