About the Role:We are seeking a highly strategic and collaborative Director of Merchandising to lead category strategy from concept through go-to-market execution. This role will play a critical role in shaping the product assortment, identifying whitespace opportunities, and building commercially successful product strategies across a growing multi-category business.
The ideal candidate has deep expertise in assortment strategy within a fast-growing, multi-channel DTC brand and possesses a strong balance of analytical rigor, consumer intuition, and cross-functional leadership. This role requires a highly proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to influence senior leadership, build alignment across teams, and operate effectively in a dynamic growth environment.
Core ResponsibilitiesCategory Strategy & Assortment Planning- Partner with the Head of Product & Merchandising to define the assortment strategy across multiple product categories, identifying opportunities for growth, innovation, and building customer LTV.
- Build and maintain line plans that support balanced assortments across key classifications, price points, and customer segments.
Product Creation & Commercialization- Partner closely with Design and Product Development to ideate and develop new product opportunities, tied directly to assortment strategy and strategic growth plans.
- Collaborate with Sourcing / Product Development to align product strategies with production capabilities and timeline requirements.
- Establish retail pricing strategies and margin architecture across new product initiatives.
- Ensure all product specifications, merchandising details, and assortment data are accurately created and maintained within systems and development tools.
- Keep a finger on the cultural pulse and competitive landscape. Translate trends and white space opportunities with a Lola lens rather than chasing or copying them.
Business Planning & Opportunity Sizing- Partner with Finance and Planning to evaluate and size new product opportunities and growth initiatives.
- Utilize sales data, customer insights, and market trends to inform assortment decisions and investment priorities.
- Develop category hindsight and forward-looking recommendations to optimize productivity and inventory efficiency.
Go-to-Market Leadership- Partner with Brand Marketing, Performance Marketing, and Operations to develop comprehensive go-to-market strategies for product launches and seasonal drops.
- Ensure alignment between product storytelling, launch timing, inventory readiness, and marketing objectives.
- Support campaign planning with compelling product narratives and assortment positioning.
Performance Analysis & Lifecycle Management- Analyze product performance post-launch, evaluating success against financial and customer metrics.
- Identify opportunities to accelerate performance through pricing actions, marketing support, product refinements, or lifecycle management strategies.
- Present category insights and recommendations to senior leadership on a regular basis.
Cross-Functional Leadership- Serve as a highly collaborative partner across Product, Design, Finance, Planning, Marketing, Operations, and Executive Leadership teams.
- Build alignment and consensus across stakeholders while balancing creative vision, operational realities, and financial objectives.
- Mentor and influence cross-functional teams through strong communication, organization, and leadership presence.
Based full-time in New York City, working in-person from the Lola Blankets office. Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed - mills, factories, trade shows, and partner meetings.
Qualifications- 7+ years of merchandising experience leading categories at a fast-growing, multi-category, multi-channel DTC brand.
- Proven track record developing and scaling commercially successful product assortments.
- Strong understanding of assortment planning, pricing strategy, margin management, and product lifecycle management.
- Experience partnering closely with Design, Product Development, Planning, and Marketing teams throughout the product creation process.
- Strong analytical capabilities with experience leveraging sales performance, customer insights, and market trends to drive decisions.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build consensus among senior stakeholders.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to leadership.
- Highly organized and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business, Fashion, or related field preferred.
What We Offer:- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, PTO)
- 401K with company match
- Flexible remote work environment
- Paid time off and holidays
- An opportunity to make a direct impact on a high-growth, design-forward brand
- A collaborative, passionate, and purpose-driven team
