Vp, Product Management Apparel

About the Role

The VP of Product Management Apparel is the leader of product strategy and is responsible for the development of all merchandising strategies for the brand. This position sets the product line plan vision and leads the line planning process to achieve or exceed annual financial goals. This leader works closely with their team to develop line plans that delivers the seasonal and in-line strategies. Key metrics for success will include retail trend, new product hit rates, style scale and SKU efficiencies.

You’ll Make a Difference By

• Partnering with sourcing team on sample tracking, proto reviews, achieve margins and agree on product changes as necessary.
• Bringing customer and market prospective to the design and product development process. Thoroughly understanding each category target customer by tracking attitude and lifestyle trends. Leading team to research and develop customer insights.
• Collaborating with key stakeholders to influence and drive to alignment all short- and long-range merchandising strategies and objectives.
• Applying strong capabilities in trend forecasting to influence product POV during development process using both market information and brand filters.
• Owning the product development calendar and ensure team meets the critical deadlines.
• Partnering with planning on seasonal and replenishment buys and forecasting. Ensure appropriate inventory risk taking on key items while working within inventory metrics.
• Providing marketing and sales teams with product knowledge and serve as an informational resource. Participating in key account meetings, as necessary.
• Collaborating with design and product development partners to meet costing targets on all products developed seasonally.
• Ensuring the successful implementation of merchandising strategies by developing effective partnerships with design and technical teams.
• Establishing the product vision and merchandising line plan for the season for all markets and guide, support, and empower category merchandising leaders to develop, implement, and execute category strategies. Working with teams to identify seasonal brand messaging, product key items, and key looks.
• Managing/collaborating on product development templates, KPI results, and seasonal projection and booking recaps.

About You

• Collaborative, with a learning mindset; listens to and values others’ opinions and ideas
• High level of analytical decision-making skills and conceptual creative ability
• 10+ years of experience managing teams of 5 or more people.
• Strong product sense with proven experience in driving successful product assortments and partnering with Design to conceive product concepts that drive business
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent
• Strong operational and communication skills with ability to lead cross functional teams through change or new processes
• Ability and willingness to travel when necessary
• Strong problem solving, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to develop and communicate a clear vision, gain buy-in at all levels, and motivate a team to deliver
• Passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing product talent across the function
• 15+ years of apparel product development/merchandising experience; preferably in omnichannel business.
• Strong team orientation across the entire organization
• Strategic thinker who recognizes opportunities and can influence decision makers to move to execution

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 $240,000 - $300,000 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
• Team member discount on Ariat merchandise
• Bonus incentive plans
• Expanded wellness and mental health benefits
• Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid volunteer days
• 401(k) with company match

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.