Product Category Director - Fleece & New Categories

Comfrt

13d•$150,000 - $170,000•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a highly strategic and product-obsessed Product Category Director - Fleece & New Categories to lead innovation, product development, and execution within a key category at Comfrt. This role owns the end-to-end product lifecycle and partners closely with Design, Creative, Technical Design, Sourcing, and Merchandising to bring differentiated, high‑quality products to market at speed while maintaining the standards that define the brand. This is a hands-on leadership role. The ideal candidate is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and engaging in the details of product development execution while maintaining a high‑level strategic view of category growth and product direction.

Requirements

10–15+ years of progressive experience in product development, product management, or category leadership within apparel or consumer brands
Bachelor’s degree in business, Merchandising, or a related field.
Deep expertise across the full product development lifecycle—from concept and innovation through commercialization and production
Strong category expertise with a track record of identifying innovation opportunities and scaling successful product franchises
Demonstrated ability to deliver product on time while maintaining high standards of quality, performance, and brand integrity
Experience partnering closely with vendors, sourcing teams, and supply chain partners to bring product to market efficiently
Collaborative by nature — thrives in cross-functional entrepreneurial environments and values partnership across design, merchandising, sourcing, and marketing
Proven experience operating at the Director level or higher within high-growth or global consumer brands
Hands-on leadership style with a willingness to engage directly in product development execution when needed
Ability to balance strategic category leadership with the day-to-day operational details required to bring product to market
Possesses a growth-oriented mindset—constantly identifying whitespace, translating insights into opportunities, and building clear strategies to expand the category.
Experience scaling product categories and driving growth across multiple markets
Creative problem solver who thrives in fast-moving, entrepreneurial environments
Highly analytical with the ability to translate market insights, sales performance, and competitive intelligence into actionable product decisions
Strong product aesthetic and instinct for translating brand vision into compelling, customer-relevant product
Deep appreciation for the Comfrt brand aesthetic and customer, with the ability to build product that feels authentic to the brand

Responsibilities

Own category product vision, roadmap, and long-term growth strategy
Identify whitespace opportunities and new product concepts through market analysis, competitive intelligence, and trend research
Consistently analyze market trends, fashion trends, consumer behavior, and sales data to inform product strategy and category direction
Demonstrate the ability to anticipate emerging trends and translate them into meaningful product opportunities for the brand
Continuously identify whitespace across the market, fashion landscape, and evolving consumer needs to inform new product development
Maintain strong awareness of fashion trends, cultural shifts, and evolving customer preferences
Translate brand vision, customer insight, and cultural trends into product direction
Drive innovation that expands the Comfrt product ecosystem while maintaining brand authenticity
Own the full product development lifecycle from concept through commercialization
Develop product briefs and guide product creation from ideation to launch
Partner closely with Design to shape product expression and aesthetic direction
Lead key development milestones including concept reviews, sampling, fit sessions, and approvals
Build and manage product development calendars to ensure timely delivery of product launches
Drive development speed and efficiency by identifying creative ways to streamline development processes and accelerate timelines without compromising product quality
Bring new product ideas to market quickly by optimizing development calendars and leveraging agile development approaches
Demonstrate the ability to develop both complex functional products and trend-driven fashion concepts within disciplined timelines
Balance speed-to-market with technical execution, ensuring products meet performance, quality, and brand standards
Work directly with cross‑functional teams and vendors to ensure product development milestones are achieved
Engage closely in day‑to‑day product development execution to solve issues quickly and maintain development momentum
Partner with Sourcing and factories to ensure feasibility, cost targets, and production timelines are met
Balance speed‑to‑market with quality standards and brand integrity
Step in when needed to remove roadblocks and keep product development moving forward
Partner with Merchandising to align category strategy with assortment architecture and commercial performance
Collaborate with Marketing to ensure product launches align with storytelling and campaign moments
Work closely with Technical Design to ensure product quality, fit, and construction standards
Align with Buying and Supply Chain to support inventory strategy and production timelines
Monitor product performance, customer feedback, and competitive activity
Use insights to refine future development and expand successful product franchises
Identify opportunities to improve development efficiency, product quality, and speed‑to‑market