Sr Merchant Tees and Fleece (Hybrid or Remote)

JOIN US AND "CREATE YOU VISION"

ABOUT US 

S&S Activewear is a leading North American, tech-enabled specialty distributor of imprintable apparel, including t-shirts, fleece, athletic wear, headwear, workwear, scrubs and accessories. We pride ourselves on being the “critical link” that enables our 100+ brand partners such as Adidas, Columbia and Gildan to reach our hyper-fragmented base of customers, comprised of apparel decorators, eRetailers and promotional products distributors that embellish apparel items for diverse end consumer use cases (e.g., everyday wear, concerts, fitness attire, life events, team sports, etc.). At S&S, we differentiate in the market through a customer service focus, strategic product portfolio, world-class distribution infrastructure, a collaborative growth culture and a relentless focus on technology and innovation. 

Our success has compounded since the Company’s humble beginnings in 1988 as a regional t-shirt distributor to a leading, multi-billion-dollar value-added distribution platform that drives market penetration for our suppliers while enabling the growth, operations and fulfillment for a diverse range of customers across channels and business sizes.  We strive to be the apparel distributor of choice while inspiring and fostering growth for customers, employees and suppliers through our core values of service, deep relationships, innovation, continuous improvement and accountability.

ABOUT THE ROLE 

We are seeking a Senior Merchant for the Tees & Fleece category who will be responsible for leading the strategic direction, product assortment, and financial performance of the highest-volume apparel categories in our business.  This role combines market insight, trend forecasting, and customer-centric merchandising to drive the growth and profitability of our business.

Schedule 

Monday-Friday, Full-Time, Exempt 

Hybrid or Remote available

Hybrid - 220 Remington Blvd Bolingbrook, IL  

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

Category Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-season merchandising strategy for Tees & Fleece aligned with brand vision and financial goals.
• Own category-level financial targets 
• Lead line architecture planning, ensuring a balanced assortment across fits, fabrics and price points for the categories
• Analyze historical performance and market trends to inform future assortment decisions.
• Ensure timely execution of seasonal line plans and product briefs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Planning, Marketing, Sales, Strategy and Vendor Engagement teams to ensure cohesive and successful go-to-market strategies.
• Collaborate on product launches to ensure timely launch by managing the progression of new style development.

Vendor Management

• Work across multiple vendors to develop the ideal category assortment
• Partner with vendors to deliver on the product needs for our customers

Customer & Market Insights

• Engage with top customers to ensure their needs are being met
• Monitor competitive landscape and consumer behavior to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Leverage customer data and feedback to refine assortments and enhance product relevance.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor and develop junior merchants and assistants, fostering a culture of accountability, curiosity and continuous improvement.
• Champion diversity in product offerings and team perspectives.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or related work experience.
• 7-10 years of experience in the casual apparel space with at least 4 in merchandising, PLM or category management roles.  Preferably in a high-growth, multi-supplier environment.
• A track record of managing a successful apparel portfolio, driving category growth and profitability
• Demonstrated ability to connect and thrive in a matrixed work environment. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and drive success across different workstreams simultaneously.
• Proven experience managing complex business relationships across merchandising, planning, marketing and sales. 
• Customer Centric Mindset with a track record of serving a diverse customer base and an understanding of a marketplace segmentation.
• Exceptional leadership, communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. 
• Analytical thinker who is excited to analyze data and use Sales and Customer feedback to drive assortment decisions
• Passion for product and deep curio