Director, Product Merchandising - Footwear

About the Role

Ariat is looking for a Director, Product Merchandising Footwear to join our Footwear Product Merchandising Team. In this position you will be a key driver of a specific business responsible for developing the category strategy, directing the look and feel of the product line and delivering to the financial and efficiency targets of the category.

The responsibilities are outlined below; there may also be other duties as assigned.

You’ll Make a Difference By

Product Strategy :

• Leading and collaborating on the development of the footwear product line vision and strategy that integrates with the overall long-term vision for the ARIAT brand.
• Identifying market opportunity for Ariat in various market segments
• Articulating target consumer demographics, psychographics and how Ariat footwear will fulfill unmet needs.
• Developing product merchandising strategy based on the market opportunities and consumer profile which details the product segments, design point of view (what does Ariat footwear stand for?

and specific features, benefits, and price points.

Line Planning :

• Creating and managing seasonal merchandising plans and managing projects through the development process.
• Seasonal market research and brainstorming.
• Seasonal merchandising plans.
• Seasonal creative product briefs.
• Directing line reviews, pre-lines / market feedback, final line decisions and launch plans.

Business Management :

• Providing overview and analysis of category for business planning and management.
• Working with planning department and sales organization to effectively forecast product line sales potential by season.
• Planning product lifecycles from launch through closeout.
• Monthly review of financial results by product category with leadership and accountability for action plans related to product categories.
• Integration with all functional areas to ensure marketing, selling, service and sourcing of products are consistent with category strategy.

Business Operations / Systems Support :

• Performing daily activities that support the product lifecycle on all styles.
• Maintaining all pertinent product systems with accuracy and update all seasonal documents that pertain to the assortment : line sheets, pricing, style trackers, catalogs, etc.

About You

• 5+ years of management experience in a wholesale footwear or apparel manufacturing environment
• Excellent communication skills and the ability work collaboratively in a team environment
• Understanding of the western lifestyle and branding preferred
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Travel required to Ariat’s various retail environments and events in order to understand the consumer, retailers, competition and selling environment.

Travel to seasonal trade shows to assist with launch presentations, gather feedback and research the market offerings and to other retail channels and events for merchandising inspiration.

Strategic Mindset, Strong Business Acumen, Strong Product Eye

About Ariat

Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors, and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.

The salary range for this position is $175,000 - $180,000 per year.

The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data for geographic locations.

Ariat in good faith believes that this posted compensation range is accurate for this role at this location at the time of this posting.

This range may be modified in the future.

Ariat’s holistic benefits package for full-time team members includes (but is not limited to) :

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Expanded wellness and mental health benefits
• Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid volunteer days
• 401(k) with company match
• Bonus incentive plans
• Team member discount on Ariat merchandise

Note : Availability of benefits may be subject to location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements.

Ariat reserves the right to alter these benefits in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Please note that Ariat does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agreement, Ariat will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter / agency placement fee.

In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed Agreement, Ariat explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted directly to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Ariat.