Sr. Product Line Manager, Apparel & Accessories - Merrell

Wolverine Worldwide•Rockford, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Product Line Manager, Apparel & Accessories will shape the future of Merrell’s Apparel & Accessories business by influencing external license partners, identifying growth opportunities, and building structure in an evolving business. The role works across consumer insights, marketplace trends, brand strategy, product creation, and commercial opportunity to identify growth-driving product concepts and category opportunities. It is suited to a builder who thrives in ambiguity and can create processes, frameworks, and cross-functional alignment to accelerate growth. Meaningful experience across both apparel and accessories is important for success. Working closely with Product Leadership, Marketing, Footwear, and third-party Licensees, the position translates strategic direction into global product-line strategy and range architecture aligned with Merrell’s brand vision, consumer needs, category trends, and growth objectives. The role owns financial understanding of the business and serves as a resource for insights and recommendations to leadership, cross-functional teams, and license partners. It also presents product and category strategies to senior leaders, retailers, sales teams, and external partners. The position works in a normal office environment. Wolverine Worldwide offers a flexible hybrid schedule with three days in the office and two days remote; some travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
At least 7 years of progressive Product Line Management, Merchandising, or related experience in the outdoor, athletic, lifestyle, apparel, and/or accessories industries.
Strong experience across both apparel and accessories categories is considered critical for success.
Comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape, product development, trends, innovation, and materials.
Leadership experience influencing cross-functional teams, external partners, and key stakeholders without direct authority.
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and presentation skills, including the ability to influence in a matrixed organization and communicate with senior leadership and external partners.
Strong analytical skills and comfort using data to identify opportunities, evaluate performance, and inform decisions.
Performance-driven approach, test-and-learn mindset, and critical-thinking skills to interpret learning from multiple sources and improve results.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, establish priorities, and deliver results in dynamic, fast-changing environments.

Responsibilities

Develop global Apparel & Accessories product-line strategy and range architecture in partnership with Product Leadership, Marketing, Footwear, and third-party Licensees.
Develop category and product strategies informed by consumer insights, market intelligence, competitive analysis, trends, and innovation opportunities.
Create clear, inspiring product briefs that enable third-party Licensees to develop products aligned with Merrell’s brand positioning and commercial goals.
Own the financial understanding of the Apparel & Accessories business, including category performance, assortment productivity, revenue, margin, and growth targets.
Translate business data into strategic recommendations and clear direction for leadership, cross-functional teams, and Licensee partners.
Identify and champion new category opportunities, whitespace opportunities, and growth platforms.
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 external partners.
Build collaborative relationships with external Licensees and hold partners accountable for Merrell’s quality, innovation, and consumer expectations.
Provide strategic leadership within the product organization by bringing clarity, alignment, and disciplined decision-making to complex business opportunities.
Perform duties consistent with the company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.
Perform other duties as required or assigned by the Manager.