Sr. Director, Product Development and Merchandising - Performance Running

Skechers•Manhattan Beach, CA

1d•$225,000 - $250,000

About The Position

Lead the strategy and execution of Skechers’ Technical Performance Running Footwear division, translating sport and consumer insights into innovative products that deliver unrivaled comfort and performance for consumers. Drive category growth through cross-functional partnership with design, marketing, and sales. This position will primarily be responsible for leading the strategy and development Technical Running footwear.

Requirements

College degree, preferably in business/marketing.
10+ years in footwear product management and category leadership, with emphasis on performance-driven categories.
Strong technical running footwear background.
Experience garnering athlete insights and turning them into actionable product briefs.
Demonstrated success in scaling performance product lines from concept to market.

Nice To Haves

Deep understand of the running consumer and market.
Advanced analytical skills with strong business acumen.
Ability to lead initiatives with flexibility to adapt and pivot quickly.
Capable of leading product development efforts and issues.
Team-first approach.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

Proven track record of delivering pinnacle technical running performance footwear solutions that drove measurable business growth (category expansion, margin improvement, or market share gains).
Translate insights into strategy: Leverage sport, trend, and consumer data to define category vision and product priorities.
Strong merchandising background with the ability to build, balance, and position a performance product line that meets both consumer demand and business objectives.
Lead product creation: Oversee the performance footwear development process from concept to market, ensuring alignment with KPIs (margin, sell-through, category growth, consumer satisfaction).
Commercial alignment: Balance innovation and commercial viability, working with Product Management to deliver margin requirements, market readiness, and long-term brand positioning.
Proven ability to lead, galvanize, and inspire high-performing teams with strong leadership IQ, fostering collaboration, accountability, and alignment to shared goals.
Lead and mentor direct reports on the Product Management team, providing strategic direction, professional development, and clear prioritization to ensure alignment with Technical Performance goals.
Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to effectively influence and inspire both internal stakeholders and external partners.
Analyze sales reports to ensure achievement of KPI’s and optimize future line planning.