Director, Product Development and Merchandising

Director, Product Development and Merchandising Join to apply for the Director, Product Development and Merchandising role at Centric Brands. About Centric Brands Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including womens, mens and kids apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. The company focuses on customers and brands to drive future growth, with innovation, creativity and analytical thinking guiding the work. Centric Brands values respect for others and the hard work required to achieve goals. Specific Responsibilities Strategy & Innovation Lead seasonal product and merchandising strategies; align trend direction, pricing architecture, brand identity, and target customer. Partner with Design and Planning to define seasonal assortments, color palettes, and key categories; leverage past best sellers and market analytics to drive item productivity. Develop a strategic assortment plan balancing fashion, core, basics, and key value items for the off-price channel. Identify macro and micro trends to create differentiated assortments across brands and collections. Evaluate competitive intelligence and consumer insights to identify new opportunities in price points, materials, categories, or formats. Drive brand cohesion across multiple jewelry collections and product tiers. Product Development & Merchandising Oversee product development lifecycle from concept to production; ensure quality, cost, and aesthetic integrity. Execute assortment plans cross-functionally to ensure product viability from design intent to commercial execution. Build and manage seasonal line architecture and SKU plans with Merchandising and Planning teams. Approve materials, stones, findings, finishes, and components in alignment with brand standards. Collaborate with overseas offices and vendors to ensure prototypes, sales samples, and bulk orders meet specs, budgets, and lead times. Direct development and completion of Product Profile Sheets; maintain records in PLM or related systems. Operations & Results Own the seasonal product development calendar; ensure timely delivery and milestone adherence. Partner with Production and Sourcing to identify and onboard new vendors; monitor performance, negotiate costs, and optimize capacity. Work with Imports and Compliance to ensure duty optimization and regulatory adherence. Present seasonal product lines to senior leadership, buyers and internal stakeholders; lead milestone meetings (line reviews, pre-costing, post-season analysis). Monitor margin performance and costing opportunities to deliver value and profitability. Identify and resolve quality issues and construction challenges with Technical Design and QA. Customers & Relationships Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, suppliers, and cross-functional partners. Attend trade shows and trend presentations to identify new resources and monitor market shifts. Act as liaison with licensors, retail partners, and internal stakeholders to align on brand standards and merchandising direction. Leadership & Talent Management Manage and mentor a team of Product Developers and Merchandisers; set goals, provide feedback, and foster growth. Create an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture. Identify future talent needs and implement succession planning; promote accountability, strategic thinking, and agility. Our Best Fit Candidate Would Have 7+ years of experience in product development, merchandising, or private label buying; jewelry experience strongly preferred Proven success in off-price or value-driven retail environments Strong understanding of global sourcing, product lifecycle management, and cost engineering Ability to translate design and trend concepts into commercial product lines Deep knowledge of materials, construction, and manufacturing techniques in fashion jewelry Strong analytical skills and business acumen; ability to drive margin and profitability Excellent organizational, negotiation, and communication skills Experience presenting to senior leadership and working cross-functionally Proficiency in Microsoft Office; SAP and PLM a plus Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, Business, or related field Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed Salary range: $125,000-140,000. In addition to base salary, Centric Brands offers benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, PTO, and other programs. The company also notes its Equal Opportunity Employer status and provides general recruitment guidance and scam awareness information. Be part of our community Centric Brands is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and invites candidates to learn about Be Green, Be Giving, and Be Celebrated initiatives. Tags Seniority level: Director Employment type: Full-time Job function: Product Management and Marketing Industries: Manufacturing, Retail, and Retail Apparel and Fashion #J-18808-Ljbffr