Product Development & Merchandising Manager - Athleisure & Outerware

Comfrt

About The Position

The Product Development & Merchandising Manager for Athleisure & Outerwear owns the end-to-end execution of technically driven, fashion-forward product, from concept through market launch. This role sits at the intersection of product vision, technical development, and merchandising strategy, partnering closely with Design, Sourcing, QA, Production (as a key execution partner), Operations, Inventory, and Marketing.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in product development and merchandising within athleisure and/or outerwear
Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Apparel Design, Product Development, or related field
Strong technical expertise in performance fabrics, garment construction, and fit
Proven experience developing both knit athleisure and/or woven or insulated outerwear preferred
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and/or Acrobat
Power BI, Looker studio or other merchandising sales analytical tools
Strong Powerpoint and Excel skills
Experience working with PLM systems and project management tools (Asana, Notion preferred)
Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
Ability to multi-task and pivot in a fast-paced environment
Strong problem-solving mindset with a positive, proactive attitude
Clear communicator and collaborative team player
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, start-up environment with evolving priorities
Deep passion for athleisure, outerwear, performance product, and innovation

Nice To Haves

Travel experience a plus, not required. This job will require some domestic travel.

Responsibilities

Own the full product lifecycle for athleisure and outerwear categories, from concept, briefing, and development through launch
Translate brand vision, performance requirements, and trend insights into technically sound, fashion-forward product
Lead product development across performance knits, fleece, woven outerwear, insulation systems, and trims
Manage wash approvals, fabric handfeel, stretch, recovery, and enforce shade bands for consistent color execution manage prototypes in correct construction, color, and timing for fittings, key reviews, photo shoots, and influencer seeding.
Lead daily communication with vendor partners to ensure technical clarity, progress, and resolution of development issues
Apply deep knowledge of performance fabrics, function and fit to deliver the highest quality product
Evaluate fabric performance attributes
Partner with QA to review fabric and garment testing (ASTM/AATCC) and ensure performance standards are met prior to bulk
Ensure garments meet category-specific functional requirements (mobility, warmth, layering, comfort, durability)
Own competitive market analysis across athleisure and outerwear, maintaining a deep understanding of fashion, ecommerce, retail, and performance trends
Monitor key competitors, pricing architecture, product features, fabric innovations, silhouettes, and category gaps
Develop a strong point of view on where Comfrt should play, win, and differentiate within the athleisure and outerwear landscape
Analyze sales performance, margin, sell-through, returns, and customer feedback to inform product decisions
Use data to drive long term product roadmap, seasonal line plans, SKU architecture, depth, and color strategies within category
Balance core, seasonal, and test styles to support growth, innovation, and commercial productivity
Support pricing strategy based on product complexity, performance value, competitive landscape, and category contribution
Partner with Planning, Finance, and Inventory to align product strategy with forecasts, inventory flow, and business targets
Partner closely with Production as a key execution partner to ensure smooth handoff from development into bulk
Ensure Production teams receive complete, accurate, and technically sound product information
Collaborate with Sourcing and Finance to balance performance requirements with cost and margin targets
Review QA inspection and garment test reports in partnership with QA prior to shipment
Proactively identify and resolve risks related to fit, fabric, construction, performance, cost, or timing
Drive development timelines, milestones, and cross-functional alignment across seasonal calendars
Oversee PO setup and tracking with offshore teams, ensuring accuracy and alignment to approved product details
Communicate technical or design changes and downstream impacts clearly and proactively
Continuously improve development processes and tools as the category and business scale