Merchandiser & Brand Manager

Job Summary:

Seeking a strong merchant and business leader to serve as the main point of contact and liaison between the Ralph Lauren licensing team and Swim USA. The ideal candidate must have a strong background and experience in product licensing, the ability to manage difficult personalities with ease, and enjoys negotiation. The role requires a candidate that is a data junkie and thrives on data-based decision making and is expert with analyzing a wide array of data points to develop and hone sales and product development strategies.  This individual must be a strong leader able to develop, and drive merchandising strategies while gracefully navigating the complexity of the licensee / licensor relationship. This is a wonderful entrepreneurial opportunity, working alongside a progressive team, to develop a world-renowned brand. Must thrive wearing many hats with little management.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key cross functional brand leader ensuring our internal strategy and vision is executed and the partnership runs smoothly.
• Manage day to day licensing relationship.
• Develop and present merchandising analysis and seasonal performance hindsight’s.
• Develop and present merchandise plans and seasonal kick off recommendations based on current performance analysis: sell in and sell out. (in partnership with division president)
• Attend all licensor product development meetings to drive merchandise strategy through the development season.
• Identify opportunities based on business trends, market feedback, and focus points of distribution. Intimately understand sales performance by style, color, group on a weekly basis.
• Execute competitive pricing analysis annually and price each season in line with margin goals and competitive analysis.
• Evaluate NPD data to garner insights on market opportunities and price positioning in order to integrate findings into seasonal strategies.
• Nurture cross functional relationship internally between sales and design to connect the insights learned to key players on an ongoing basis.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education: College Degree or relevant experience

Experience: 5+ years of apparel industry experience with specialty in product licensing.

Travel: as needed or required to perform job duties.

Working Conditions: Required 3 days in the office per week.

Physical Demands: ability to pack, unpack and ship sample cartons and trunks. Attend trade shows and stand all day.

Skills:

• Ability to manage competing priorities with a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong written and oral, communication skill.
• Hyper analytical with passion for ongoing data and analysis. Steller relationship management skills.
• Thorough and extremely organized.
• Willing to go the extra mile when required to meet the needs of the business.

All candidates MUST provide proof of at least 1 (one) COVID vaccination at the time an offer is made, or contact the SWIM USA Human Resources team, if eligible for an exemption.

SWIM USA is an EOE