Merchandising & Product Development Strategist (Clothing Brand)

Merchandising and Product Development Strategist – Manhattan, NY

Company Overview: Our client has 10+ years of experience as primarily a women's contemporary pajamas, lingerie loungewear and swim brands. They are seeking a Merchandising and Product Development Strategist (100% onsite position) for their growing team in Manhattan, NY

Job Summary: Develops seasonal merchandising strategies and plans in collaboration with the President and Creative Director. Creates synergy and a cohesive lifestyle strategy across all product categories while upholding the brand vision. Builds a balanced product assortment with a strong emphasis on style, price/image, and value to ensure consistency across Women's clothing, lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear, and Men's sleep/loungewear. Executes strategic merchandising plans each season to maximize margins, business opportunities, volume, and market share. Responsible for achieving merchandising goals across Department Store, Specialty Store, Online Retailers, International markets, and E-commerce. Acts as the primary liaison between Design, Sales, Retail/E-commerce, Global Regional accounts, and creative services, serving as the brand product expert. Job Responsibilities: Defines seasonal core assortments and key launches, ensuring 360-degree visibility across retail, e-commerce, and wholesale channels through campaigns, social media, training, and visual merchandising. Facilitates communication between Design, Production, and Sales to deliver compelling product offerings. Identifies and communicates business opportunities to Design and management promptly. Collaborates with Design to refine collections during prototype stages and finalize them during sample shows. Strategically manages merchandise price points by class to meet margin targets and align with divisional objectives. Equips Sales teams with necessary tools, including product ownership, features, and design concepts, to effectively market each season's line. Collaborates with Licensing Partners and Agents to explore business opportunities aligned with brand strategy. Reviews concept and development with Sales heads seasonally to execute against business opportunities. Ensures merchandising plans meet business goals and competitive benchmarks, establishing the brand as a leader in the field. Works closely with President, CFO, Creative Director, VP of Production and Sourcing to discuss and execute key product strategy opportunities. Develops product strategy plans based on previous year sales, market trends, account requests, and missed opportunities. Conducts weekly selling recaps to gain insights and communicates effectively with the design team. Collaborates with sales account executives to understand key accounts' businesses and strategize for mutual growth. Partners with E-commerce teams to optimize brand/category presentation, manage product uploads, and plan annual selling events. Engages with international teams to gather market feedback and meet customer needs abroad. Collaborates with creative teams to define marketing initiatives that uphold the brand image while driving sales and excitement. Determines wholesale/retail prices for all product categories based on competitive analysis. Conducts competitive market shops to gather insights on innovation, pricing, product, and fabric/trim trends. Develops product matrix by category, working closely with design, production, and fabric development teams to unify direction and maximize business opportunities. Edits SKU count to optimize volume and convey clear brand messaging. Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to organic, natural, and non-toxic materials. Qualifications: 5+ years of experience in merchandising, product development, or related roles within the fashion industry. Proven track record of successful product strategy development and execution. Strong understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape. Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with merchandising software. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required. Job Benefits: Bonus based on meeting Sales Goals Clothing Allowance Paid Vacation and Personal Days Summer Fridays / Half Day Opportunities for Advancement 401K Commission on New Accounts Base Salary: $100k - $150k + Bonus based on experience and proven results.

Note: This is an IN-OFFICE position.