Director Merchandising

Job description

The Director of Merchandising is responsible for defining and executing the product and assortment strategy for Dearfoams, ensuring alignment with brand positioning, consumer needs, and financial objectives.

This role owns the end-to-end merchandising lifecycle—from line architecture and product strategy to in-market performance—and serves as the critical link between Design, Product Development, Sales, and Marketing.

The position plays a key role in transforming Dearfoams into a year-round comfort lifestyle brand, ensuring assortments are differentiated, commercially viable, and channel-relevant.

Specific Responsibilities

Defines and leads the seasonal merchandising vision and product strategy across core and expansion categories (slippers, casual footwear, Fireside, sandals, etc.)

Develops line plans and assortment architecture that reflect clear segmentation (good/better/best) and pricing strategy by channel

Ensures the line delivers meaningful newness and innovation, not incremental updates

Establishes clear product differentiation aligned to brand positioning

Partners with Sales to build customer-relevant assortments that drive revenue and margin growth

Aligns product strategies to key accounts (Walmart, Target, Amazon, Nordstrom, etc.) while maintaining brand integrity

Owns performance metrics including: Revenue and margin targets ; AUR and pricing strategy ; sell-through and SKU productivity

Identifies risks and opportunities relative to AOP and drives actions to close gaps

Partners closely with Design and Product Development to ensure: Trend-right and consumer-relevant product; clear differentiation vs. competitors; on-time execution aligned to GTM calendars

Ensures all product initiatives (materials, technologies, innovations) are fully developed, commercialized, and ready for market

Translates consumer insights into actionable merchandising decisions

Maintains strong awareness of: Competitive landscape (UGG, Bearpaw, private label, Amazon 3P); pricing dynamics and value perception; market trends vs. over-indexing on non-core aesthetics

Ensures product is built for real customers and channels, not aspirational or misaligned targets

Leads and develops a high-performing merchandising team with clear accountability and ownership

Drives discipline in: Line reviews and product gates ; SKU rationalization ; post-season hindsight and learnings

Identifies and resolves breakdowns in the product creation process, including: Trend misses; misaligned assortments; lack of readiness on key initiatives

Implements best-in-class merchandising processes across planning and execution

Requirements

Requires a minimum of bachelor’s degree with 8-12+ years of experience in merchandising or equivalent experience.

Proven track record of driving P&L-focused assortment strategies.

Strong understanding of multi-channel retail (mass, digital, specialty).

Experience partnering cross-functionally across Design, Sales, Marketing, and Operations.

Demonstrated ability to balance brand building with commercial performance.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.

Excellent communication and leadership capabilities.

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

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

Alignment with RG Barry’s values of trust, ambition, inclusion, creativity, responsibility, and teamwork.

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Worksite address

boston, MA, 02298, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.