Manager, Merchandising, DF

What You’ll Do

The Manager, Merchandising leads merchandising strategy and performance for assigned categories, driving growth through effective assortment planning and expansion into adjacent opportunities. It translates brand vision into clear product strategies while ensuring strong segmentation, positioning, and execution across channels and retail tiers. The role owns go-to-market efforts and partners cross-functionally to deliver tailored assortments and compelling storytelling. It is accountable for category financials, using data and insights to guide forecasting and in-season decisions. Additionally, it champions consumer-led innovation while developing team capability and alignment across functions.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Own the merchandising strategy and performance for assigned categories, including seasonal and long-range planning


2. Identify whitespace opportunities to expand beyond core slippers into hybrid, adjacent categories whenever possible (e.g., casual, indoor/outdoor, lifestyle comfort)


3. Translate brand vision into clear product and assortment strategies that drive growth


4. Build and manage assortments across price tiers, product types, and channels (Wholesale, DTC, Marketplace)


5. Drive SKU productivity, lifecycle management, and line simplification where needed


6. Ensure clear segmentation and differentiation across key accounts


7. Lead go-to-market strategy including product briefs, line presentations, and retailer storytelling


8. Partner with Sales to tailor assortments and presentations for key accounts through segmentation


9. Understand segmentation by retailer tier from Pinnacle to Mass channels of distribution (Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon, DTC, Department stores etc)


10. Ensure consistency and clarity in product positioning and pricing architecture


11. Own category-level financials including revenue, margin, and inventory productivity


12. Partner with Planning to develop forecasts and manage in-season performance


13. Drive read-and-react decisions based on sell-through, margin, and inventory insights


14. Champion consumer-first thinking through testing, trend analysis, and competitive benchmarking


15. Translate insights into actionable product direction and innovation pipelines


16. Mentor and develop junior team members, elevating team capability and accountability


17. Lead alignment across Design, Planning, Sales, and Marketing to execute against shared goals.

Qualifications

• Requires a minimum of bachelor’s degree with 6-10+ years in merchandising, buying, or category management (footwear or apparel preferred) or equivalent experience.


• Proven ownership of a business/category with responsibility for revenue and margin


• Strong assortment planning and product strategy capabilities


• Experience working across wholesale and/or DTC channels


• Highly analytical with strong financial acumen


• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships and partner collaboratively.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Strong problem-solving mindset with attention to detail.


• Experience with Microsoft Suite and Artificial Intelligence Tools is a plus.


• Alignment with RG Barry’s values of trust, ambition, inclusion, creativity, responsibility, and team

About the Company

At RG Barry Brands, we don’t just make footwear and accessories—we design comfort and style that fits into everyday lives. Our purpose is to create consumer-focused, digitally centric, earth-first brands that make life more comfortable. With a legacy built on innovation and inclusion, we aim to change the standards for comfort and sustainability. We operate with ambition, responsibility, and creativity—always keeping our consumers at the center of what we do. At RG Barry Brands, we believe that how we work is just as important as what we do. To that end, every role is guided by Core Competencies—ensuring each team member thrives personally and contributes meaningfully to our shared goals. For more information about R.G Barry Brands, please visit our website.