Merchandising Manager - Sportswear
About The Position
FAM Brands is seeking a product-driven Merchandising Manager with a strong foundation in sportswear design and development. This role is ideal for a designer-turned-merchant or product developer who thrives at the intersection of trend, product innovation, and commercial execution. You will lead the merchandising vision by driving concept-to-product storytelling, owning assortment strategy, and partnering cross-functionally to bring trend-right, cost-effective, and scalable product to market. This role requires a hands-on leader who is deeply passionate about research & development, fabrication, and product creation, not just line planning.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in sportswear merchandising, product development, or design
- Background as a Designer or Product Developer with strong product ownership
- Deep expertise in contemporary sportswear (knits, wovens, active-inspired lifestyle)
- Proven experience working with high-volume retailers (club, mass, or private label preferred)
- Strong knowledge of fabrication, garment construction, and costing
- Experience leading trend presentations and seasonal product direction
- Proficiency in PLM systems and product lifecycle management
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional partners
- A product-obsessed leader who lives and breathes sportswear
- A designer at heart who understands how to translate ideas into scalable product
- Passionate about research & development, fabrics, and innovation
- Equally comfortable in trend concepting and detailed execution
- A strong storyteller who can sell a vision through product
Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept through production, ensuring alignment on design intent, cost, and margin
- Act as the product authority across categories (knits, wovens, sets), driving construction, fabrication, and innovation
- Partner closely with Design and Technical teams to translate trend into commercially viable product
- Lead fit sessions, prototype reviews, and development milestones to maintain product integrity
- Drive seasonal trend research, market analysis, and competitive benchmarking
- Develop and present trend decks, concept boards, and product direction to internal teams and retail partners
- Identify emerging trends in contemporary sportswear, fabric innovation, and silhouette evolution
- Champion a culture of R&D experimentation (new fabrics, washes, finishes, construction techniques)
- Build and execute assortment strategies that balance trend, core business, and retail partner needs
- Analyze sales performance, pricing architecture, and margin targets to inform line decisions
- Align product strategy with key accounts (e.g., club, mass, specialty retail) ensuring customer-first thinking
- Drive line architecture and SKU efficiency across categories
- Serve as the central connector across Design, Production, Sourcing, Sales, and Planning teams
- Lead and mentor a team of merchandisers/product developers, fostering product excellence and innovation mindset
- Partner with overseas vendors and factories to ensure development feasibility and execution
- Oversee PLM systems, tech packs, and product data accuracy throughout development
- Ensure all products meet timeline, cost, and quality targets in a high-volume environment
- Proactively troubleshoot development, sourcing, and production challenges
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
