Director, Merchandising

About the role

The Director, Merchandising

Women's Footwear is entrusted with architecting and owning the end-to-end strategy for the company's footwear offerings, defining what is presented to consumers and how it is positioned in the market. This role requires balancing analytical rigor with creative vision to ensure that every collection decision supports both brand integrity and commercial objectives. The hire will set the strategic course for seasonal and long-term planning, translating consumer insights and market intelligence into profitable and desirable assortments. Success in this position means driving profitable growth across all sales channels while maintaining a cohesive brand experience that aligns with Rothy's mission of regeneration. The Director will lead cross-functional partnerships to execute flawless product launches and optimize performance across retail stores, digital platforms, and wholesale accounts. This leadership role demands ownership of the full financial performance of the category, including revenue, margins, and inventory health throughout the product lifecycle. Ultimately, the hire will foster a data-informed culture that empowers merchandising, design, and marketing teams to deliver exceptional value to both the business and the consumer.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define and execute the seasonal and long-range merchandising strategy for Women's Footwear across all touchpoints, balancing desirability with commercial viability.

Build complex, profitable assortments that align with brand positioning while optimizing breadth, depth, and disciplined pricing architecture.

Own full financial performance for the category, driving revenue, protecting margins, and managing inventory levels throughout the product lifecycle.

Leverage consumer and market intelligence by analyzing sales data, competitive activity, and emerging trends to identify white spaces and inform future product decisions.

Lead cross-functional collaboration with Design, Development, Planning, and Marketing to ensure product launches are executed flawlessly and meet strategic objectives.

Optimize performance for each sales channel, tailoring strategies for retail stores, digital platforms, and wholesale partners to reflect unique audience behaviors.

Develop and mentor a high-performing team of merchandising professionals, fostering collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making.

Utilize product lifecycle management systems and advanced analytical tools to monitor assortments and communicate insights to stakeholders effectively.

Translate complex datasets into clear, actionable plans for buying, planning, and marketing teams to guide decision-making at every level.

Maintain a deep curiosity for consumer behavior and market trends, applying an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Take full ownership of your work, demonstrating a proactive and responsible approach to challenges and opportunities within the category.

Ensure all merchandising activities reflect Rothy's commitment to sustainability by integrating material innovation and circular principles into product decisions.

Partner with finance and operations to align seasonal plans with production capabilities and financial targets, ensuring profitable execution.

Champion the brand experience by ensuring that every product touchpoint reinforces the values of comfort, style, and environmental responsibility.

Requirements

A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in merchandising, preferably within footwear or accessories, with a demonstrated history of managing P&L responsibility.

Prior experience managing women's footwear categories is highly valued, including an understanding of seasonal color palettes, material innovation, and unique category dynamics.

A proven ability to develop and execute merchandising strategies that simultaneously drive sales growth and profitability.

Exceptional analytical skills, with the capacity to translate complex datasets into clear, actionable plans for buying, planning, and marketing teams.

Strong leadership capabilities with a documented track record of managing and developing talent to build high-performing teams.

Exceptional communication and presentation skills, synthesizing complex information into compelling narratives for executive audiences.

A deep curiosity for consumer behavior and market trends, paired with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Self-driven ownership of work, demonstrating a proactive and responsible approach to challenges and opportunities.

Experience with product lifecycle management platforms and advanced spreadsheet tools is required for effective planning and analysis.

Commitment to working in a mission-driven environment where business decisions are influenced by sustainability and regenerative practices.

Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners, aligning on shared goals and maintaining brand consistency.

Willingness to travel as needed for business objectives, including meetings, market research, and industry events.

Adherence to company policies regarding employment eligibility and work authorization in the United States.

Nice to have

Experience with retail store operations and understanding of in-store execution nuances.

Background in direct-to-consumer digital merchandising and optimization.

Knowledge of wholesale partnerships and the dynamics of selling into retail accounts.

Exposure to circular business models and sustainable material innovation.

Familiarity with Rothy's product lines and commitment to comfortable, machine-washable designs.

Practical notes

This role is full_time based in San Francisco.

Employment eligibility and work authorization in the United States are required.

Selected candidates may be required to complete pre-employment screening.

The listed compensation range applies to base pay and is subject to adjustments based on location and experience.

Discretionary bonuses and benefits such as paid time off, 401(k) matching, health plans, mental health support, and an employee wellness stipend are part of the total rewards package.

The work environment includes access to wellness resources and a dog-friendly office.

Employees receive an exclusive Employee Discount Program.

The company is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.