Sr. Director, Merchandising and Product Development - Technical Performance

Skechers • Manhattan Beach, CA

4d

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 role primarily leads strategy and development for Technical Performance footwear.

The position oversees the performance footwear development process from concept to market, balancing innovation with commercial viability and aligning product plans with margin, sell-through, category growth, consumer satisfaction, market readiness, and long-term brand positioning. It also leads and mentors direct reports on the Product Management team, analyzes sales reports to assess KPIs and improve future line planning, and builds collaboration and alignment among internal stakeholders and external partners.

Requirements

• College degree, preferably in business or marketing.
• 10+ years of experience in footwear product management and category leadership, with an 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.
• Proven track record delivering pinnacle technical performance footwear solutions that drove measurable business growth, such as category expansion, margin improvement, or market share gains.
• Deep understanding of the performance consumer and market.
• Advanced analytical skills and strong business acumen.
• Ability to lead initiatives and adapt or pivot quickly.
• Ability to lead product development efforts and address issues.
• Team-first approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire internal stakeholders and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Translate sport, trend, and consumer data into category vision and product priorities.
• Build, balance, and position a performance footwear product line to meet consumer demand and business objectives.
• Oversee performance footwear development from concept to market and align products with relevant KPIs.
• Work with Product Management to balance innovation and commercial viability, meet margin requirements, ensure market readiness, and support long-term brand positioning.
• Lead and mentor Product Management direct reports, providing strategic direction, professional development, and 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 monitor KPI achievement and optimize future line planning.
• Lead Technical Performance footwear strategy and development in partnership with design, marketing, and sales.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director