Director, Merchandising & Design (Swimwear)

Overview

The Director, Merchandising & Design (Swimwear) leads category product strategy and execution across a multi-brand apparel portfolio, operating across both Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and Wholesale channels. This role serves as a strategic partner to brand teams and is accountable for wholesale category performance, delivering product that meets brand standards while achieving margin and speed-to-market objectives.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive seasonal category vision, line architecture, and assortment strategies
• Partner with Brand Presidents and Design leaders to influence DTC assortment and design decisions
• Own end-to-end product strategy and execution for wholesale categories, including assortment, pricing, and key items
• Deliver against financial targets including IMU, cost, and AUR
• Drive speed-to-market through disciplined calendar and milestone management
• Partner cross-functionally with Sourcing, Technical Design, Planning, and Wholesale teams
• Identify and scale cross-brand product platforms and efficiencies

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in apparel design, merchandising, or category leadership
• Strong commercial acumen including margin, pricing, and assortment strategy
• Experience operating in multi-brand or matrixed organizations
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive decisions

What You Get:

Enjoy a rewarding career at Catalyst, where we offer a competitive benefits package, a vibrant work environment, and the opportunity to make a difference at one of America’s most iconic brands. •    Generous Benefits:  Medical/dental/vision insurance starting on day one, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays, 401(k) Savings Plan with company match, and an associate discount on JCPenney merchandise. •    Opportunities for Growth and Development:  We are committed to helping our employees grow their careers and develop their skills. We offer a variety of training and development programs, as well as opportunities for advancement. •    Collaborative and supportive Culture:  We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage teamwork and collaboration, and we are always looking for ways to support our employees’ success.

About Catalyst:

Catalyst Brands reflects the bringing together the rich heritages of our brands with modern excitement and a new vision for success.  Six iconic brands came together under a unified powerhouse portfolio to celebrate the essence of American style.  We will leverage our rich history, resources and best-in-class industry talent to further build the success of our brands.  At Catalyst we are united in one shared purpose: We exist to ignite America’s most beloved retail brands to make fashion accessible to all.

For more opportunities to join our team please visit our careers page.

Pay Range

USD $128,700.00 - USD $234,000.00 /Yr.