Senior Category Merchandising Manager (Kids Apparel)

Overview

The Opportunity

A global athletic and lifestyle brand is looking for a senior merchandising leader to step in and own Kids Apparel Sport Product Merchandising during a maternity leave. This is not a caretaker assignment. You are coming in as the subject matter expert for a team of four, setting the vision for kids apparel and keeping the category moving through a full season cycle.

Six months is enough time to leave a real mark. You will lead the team, sit at the table with Product, Planning, and Marketplace partners, and make the calls that shape what lands in the North America marketplace. For someone who wants senior scope inside a world-class merchandising org without a long-term commitment, this is a rare window.

What You Will Do

• Lead and develop a merchandising team of four, acting as the go-to expert for the category
• Drive the product merchandising strategy for Kids Apparel Sport
• Partner daily with Product, Planning, and Marketplace teams to align assortment, flow, and go-to-market
• Build and champion a clear vision for kids apparel
• Translate marketplace insight into assortment decisions for North America
• Present recommendations to cross-functional partners and leadership

What You Bring

• 8+ years of merchandising experience, apparel strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree
• Proven people leadership and team management experience (required)
• Strong command of the North America marketplace
• Excel, PowerPoint, and Keynote fluency with polished presentation and communication skills

Nice to Have

• Kids apparel and sports/athletic apparel background
• Account-facing experience
• Product creation exposure
• Prior experience with a large global athletic brand

Who Thrives Here

Proactive operators. Problem solvers who move before being asked. People who can hold a vision for a category and rally partners behind it.

#LI-MM3

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.