Sr. Product Line Manager, Apparel & Accessories - Merrell at Wolverine World Wide in Rockford, MI

Job description

Merrell exists to share the simple power of being outside with everyone. We believe the "outdoors" is a much broader space than just the mountain summit; it’s any space beyond your front door. Our mission is to help our community rethink the outdoors by building gear that works everywhere, from technical alpine ridges to urban city streets. We don't just follow the trail; we help define where it goes next. We are a team that lives at the intersection of elite performance and modern style. Our history on the trail and commitment to innovation has made us the most awarded brand in the outdoor space. Recently, our MTL SpeedARC Peak won the prestigious ISPO Award for its breakthrough trail-racing tech, while the SpeedARC Surge BOA was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions for its modern, futuristic design and energy return. Whether it’s the Moab 3 being named “Best Hiking Shoe” by CNN Underscored and Popular Mechanics, or the Jungle Moc being recognized by HuffPicks as the gold standard for comfort, we are consistently recognized for building the most reliable, and most innovative, gear in the world. The Senior Product Line Manager, Apparel & Accessories will act as a strategic leader who can shape the future of Apparel & Accessories at Merrell, influence external license partners, identify new growth opportunities, and create structure in a relatively evolving business. They will work at the intersection of consumer insights, marketplace trends, brand strategy, product creation, and commercial opportunity to identify growth-driving product concepts and category opportunities. This role is ideal for a builder who thrives in ambiguity, identifies opportunities where others see challenges, and creates the processes, frameworks, and cross-functional alignment required to accelerate business growth. Success in this role requires meaningful experience across both apparel and accessories categories, as well as the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and external partners to deliver best-in-class consumer experiences. Primary Duties: Partnering closely with Product Leadership, Marketing, Footwear, and third-party Licensees, this individual will translate strategic direction into a global Apparel & Accessories product line strategy and range architecture, ensuring alignment with brand vision, consumer needs, category trends, and business growth objectives. Develop compelling category and product strategies informed by consumer insights, market intelligence, competitive analysis, emerging trends, and innovation opportunities. Create and deliver clear, inspiring product briefs that empower third-party Licensees to develop best-in-class products aligned with Merrell's brand positioning and commercial goals. Own the financial understanding of the Apparel & Accessories business, including category performance, assortment productivity, revenue, margin, and growth targets. Act as the brand's go-to resource for Apparel & Accessories business insights, translating data into strategic recommendations and clear direction for leadership, cross-functional teams, and Licensee partners. Identify and champion new category opportunities, whitespace opportunities, and growth platforms that expand the Apparel & Accessories business. Influence and evolve range architecture frameworks, planning processes, and go-to-market approaches that support future business growth and operational excellence. Present product vision, category strategies, seasonal concepts, and business recommendations to senior leadership, retailers, sales teams, and key external partners . Build strong collaborative relationships with external Licensees while holding partners accountable for delivering products that meet Merrell's quality, innovation, and consumer expectations. Act as a strategic leader within the product organization, helping to bring clarity, alignment, and decision-making discipline to complex and evolving business opportunities. Performs duties consistent