Merchandise Product Development Jobs Near Me

Job Description:

The Director of Licensed Productswill be ahighly strategic, creative, and commercially minded leader responsible for overseeing all aspects ofAbercrombieandFitch licensedproduct categories globally.Theywill lead the company's licensing strategy, driving growth across multiple product categories and markets.

This role sits at the intersection of Brand, Product, Merchandising, and Finance, requiring a blend of creative vision and business acumen.Thisperson will need to be a strong strategy driver and relationship builder, developing a business plan with internal leaders.They will work with leadership across a breadth of cross functional teams including Merchandising, Sourcing, Design/Tech Design, Corporate Strategy, Finance, and Legal.They willleadthe search for new partners andmaintainrelationships with current partners through negotiation of new, existing, and renewed contracts. This role supports bothRegionalteams and Global Brand leadership to ensure proper brand positioning within Licensing.

The ideal candidate is strategic, self-motivated, highly organized, and hasstrong communicationskills.They are solution-oriented, able to manage multiple projects at a time, and able to navigate new and unknown problems by helping to set new standards.

This job is located at our Global Home Office in Columbus, Ohio.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Execute the long-term global licensing strategy,identifyingopportunities for category expansion and new partnerships that align withANFCo'sbrand vision and growth targets
• Create, implement, and integrate key licensing growth strategies into core A&FCo.brandedprocesses
• Identify, negotiate, and manage partnerships with new and existing licensees
• Lead asmallteam responsible formaintainingmultiple categories andpartnerships
• Assess, reportouton,and adapt tobusinessresultsversusexpectations
• Managea brand's creative integrity while delivering strong commercial results.
• Manage the end-to-end process of licensing projects, from concept to launch. Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensuretimelydelivery.
• Oversee the financial performance of all licensed products, including managing royalty revenue streams, providing financial forecasts, and conducting in-depth quarterly business reviews (QBRs) to ensure targets are met or exceeded.
• Calendar Management: Coordinate the product development and go-to-market calendar for licensed categories, coordinating timelines between internal teams (Design, Marketing, Sales) and external licenses.
• Understand the competitive landscape. Conduct in depth analysis on industry developments; benchmark competitors forprocesses and assortment
• Leverage new and growing partnerships to expand departmental licensing offering
• Review requests from Licensees for expanded distribution and make recommendations to Licensing VP forapproval
• Partner with Regional buying teams to communicate products needed by license in upcomingseasons

What Do You Need To Bring?

• Bachelor's Degree or related experience
• Passionforleading,negotiatingand structuringlicensedpartnerships
• 10+ years of progressive experience in merchandising, product development, or brand management within the fashion, apparel, or luxury goods industry, with a significant focus on licensed products preferred.
• Exceptional financial fluency including understanding a P&L, negotiating royalties, and building financial forecasts.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with ability to handle significant responsibility
• Highly organized and detail oriented
• Ability to think and react in a high-energy, fast-paced environment. Flexibility with evolvingpriorities
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence both internal stakeholders and external partners at an executive level
• Proven leadershiptrackrecord

Our Company

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.

The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch, YPB, abercrombie kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates over 750 stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sitesabercrombie.com,abercrombiekids.com, andhollisterco.com.

At Abercrombie & Fitch Co., we lead with purpose and always put our people first. We're proud to offer equitable compensation and benefits, including flexibility and competitive Paid Time Off, as well as education and engagement events, including various Associate Resource Groups, volunteer opportunities and additional time off to give back to our global communities.

Benefits & Perks

As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you'll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F Co. is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive benefits that align with our company's culture and values, but most importantly - with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:

• Incentive bonus program
• Annual companywide review process
• Flexible spending accounts
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Associate assistance program
• Paid parental and adoption leave
• Access to fertility and adoption benefits through Carrot
• Access to mental health and wellness app, Headspace
• Paid time off and one paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to give back to your community
• Work from anywhere (Mondays and Fridays are "work from anywhere" days for most roles and six work from anywhere weeks per year)
• Seven associate wellness half days per year
• Merchandise discount on all of our brands
• Opportunities for career advancement, we believe in promoting from within
• Access to multiple Associate Resource Groups
• Global team of people who will celebrate you for being YOU!

Company Description

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.

The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie brands and Hollister brands, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com and hollisterco.com.

Learn more about A&F Co. by visiting our corporate website here.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.