SVP Design & Merchandising
About the Company
We are a leading apparel brand with a strong presence in the swimwear category, known for our innovation, fit, and fashion-forward designs. As we expand our reach and elevate our product offering, we're seeking a visionary SVP of Design & Merchandising to lead our swimwear business unit and shape the future of the category.
Position Overview
The SVP of Design & Merchandising will be responsible for the strategic direction, creative vision, and commercial success of the swimwear division. This executive will lead cross-functional teams in design, merchandising, and product strategy to deliver compelling collections that resonate with our customers and drive growth across all channels.
Key Responsibilities
- Creative Leadership: Define and execute the seasonal design vision for swimwear, ensuring alignment with brand identity, market trends, and customer insights.
- Merchandising Strategy: Develop and manage the merchandising architecture, line plans, and assortment strategies to optimize product mix and margin.
- Team Management: Lead and inspire a team of designers, merchandisers, and product developers to deliver innovative and commercially successful collections.
- Consumer Insights: Leverage data and trend analysis to inform design and merchandising decisions, ensuring relevance and differentiation in the marketplace.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with marketing, sourcing, planning, and sales teams to ensure cohesive go-to-market strategies and flawless execution.
- Innovation & Sustainability: Champion innovation in materials, fit, and sustainability practices within the swimwear category.
- Financial Accountability: Own category-level financial targets including revenue, margin, and inventory productivity.
Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in apparel design and merchandising, with significant leadership experience in swimwear or adjacent categories.
- Strong creative vision with a proven track record of building successful product lines.
- Deep understanding of consumer behavior, trend forecasting, and retail dynamics.
- Exceptional leadership and team development skills.
- Experience working in both wholesale and direct-to-consumer environments.
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
Why Join Us?
- Lead a high-impact category with strong brand equity and growth potential.
- Collaborate with passionate, creative professionals in a dynamic environment.
- Competitive executive compensation, bonus, and equity opportunities.
FAQs
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