Sr. Director, Merchandising and Product Development - Technical Performance
About The Position
Lead the strategy and execution of Skechers’ Technical Performance Footwear division, translating sport and consumer insights into innovative products that deliver comfort and performance. Drive category growth through cross-functional partnership with design, marketing, and sales. The position is primarily responsible for leading Technical Performance footwear strategy and development. The role oversees performance footwear product development from concept to market, aligning work with KPIs such as margin, sell-through, category growth, and consumer satisfaction. It balances innovation with commercial viability and works with Product Management on margin requirements, market readiness, and long-term brand positioning. The role also provides strategic direction and mentorship to Product Management direct reports, influences internal and external partners, and uses sales reporting to optimize line planning.
Requirements
- College degree, preferably in business or marketing.
- 10+ years in footwear product management and category leadership, with emphasis on performance-driven categories.
- Strong technical performance footwear background.
- Experience gathering athlete insights and translating them into actionable product briefs.
- Demonstrated success scaling performance product lines from concept to market.
- Deep understanding of the performance consumer and market.
- Advanced analytical skills and strong business acumen.
- Ability to lead initiatives while adapting and pivoting quickly.
- Ability to lead product development efforts and address issues.
- Team-first approach.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven track record delivering pinnacle technical performance footwear solutions that drove measurable business growth, such as category expansion, margin improvement, or market share gains.
- Strong merchandising background and ability to align product line planning with consumer demand and business objectives.
- Ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams with strong leadership IQ.
Responsibilities
- Use sport, trend, and consumer data to define category vision and product priorities.
- Build, balance, and position a performance product line that meets consumer demand and business objectives.
- Oversee performance footwear development from concept to market, aligning with margin, sell-through, category growth, and consumer satisfaction KPIs.
- Work with Product Management to balance innovation and commercial viability, meet margin requirements, prepare products for market, and support long-term brand positioning.
- Lead and mentor Product Management direct reports, providing strategic direction, professional development, and clear prioritization.
- Lead, galvanize, and inspire high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and alignment to shared goals.
- Influence and inspire internal stakeholders and external partners through presentations and communication.
- Analyze sales reports to evaluate KPI achievement and optimize future line planning.
- Lead Technical Performance footwear strategy and development in cross-functional partnership with design, marketing, and sales.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
