Senior Category Merchandising Manager (Kids Apparel)

Aquent is thrilled to partner with a world-renowned global athletic and lifestyle brand, connecting you to an unparalleled opportunity to drive significant impact. This organization is a leader in its industry, dedicated to inspiring athletes and consumers worldwide through innovative products and experiences. As a partner, Aquent offers you the chance to contribute directly to the success of an iconic brand, shaping the future of a key apparel category and influencing what millions experience.

Step into a pivotal role where you will lead the product merchandising strategy for a dynamic apparel category. This is a unique chance to take the reins, shape a full season cycle from vision to execution, and leave a lasting mark on product offerings in the North America market. You will be at the forefront of strategic decisions, translating marketplace insights into impactful assortments and guiding critical business choices. This role is ideal for a visionary leader ready to articulate a clear direction, inspire collaboration, and thrive in a fast-paced environment where your initiatives drive significant business outcomes.

What You Will Do

• Lead and mentor a merchandising team, serving as the primary expert and guiding force for your category.
• Spearhead the product merchandising strategy for a key apparel category, defining its vision, direction, and long-term roadmap.
• Collaborate closely and daily with Product, Planning, and Marketplace teams to seamlessly align assortment, product flow, and go-to-market initiatives.
• Develop and champion a compelling vision for apparel, effectively influencing and securing buy-in from critical stakeholders across the organization.
• Transform deep marketplace insights into impactful strategic assortment decisions tailored for the North America market.
• Deliver persuasive and data-driven recommendations to cross-functional partners and senior leadership, driving pivotal business choices and strategic direction.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive merchandising experience, with a strong preference for apparel.
• Bachelor's degree.
• Proven people leadership and team management experience is essential.
• Strong command and understanding of North America marketplace dynamics and consumer trends.
• Fluency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Keynote, coupled with polished, impactful presentation and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background specifically in kids apparel and/or sports/athletic apparel.
• Account-facing experience, demonstrating an understanding of client needs and market demands.
• Exposure to product creation processes, from concept to launch.
• Prior experience working with a large, globally recognized athletic or lifestyle brand.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.