This is a manager-level role with a blend of merchandising, design, and product development responsibilities, serving as a key driver of the Sartorial category strategy for Empire. The individual will play a critical role in both line building and line management, partnering closely with senior leadership to make informed, data-driven product decisions that align with Peter Millar's brand standards and commercial objectives.

In addition to traditional design management duties, this role will own the seasonal assortment strategy, ensuring that fabric selection, color stories, pricing architecture, silhouettes, and fit all work together to deliver a cohesive and commercially successful collection. This person will also oversee the end-to-end development process-from concept through production-ensuring product execution meets quality, margin, and timing expectations.

The role requires a strong balance of creative vision, technical expertise, and business acumen, with regular collaboration across merchandising, sales, production, and external partners. The manager will influence key decisions around carryover styles, innovation opportunities, and category growth, while also supporting sales and market efforts as needed. Frequent interaction with fabric mills, factories, and internal stakeholders is essential to ensure alignment and execution across all phases of development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for merchandising the seasonal suit, trouser, and jacket assortment through fabric selection (commercial and novelty), color story synergy, price segmentation, textile seasonality, and ensuring that the fit and silhouettes are relevant and current to Peter Millar standards.
• Responsible for style set-up and tech packs as PLM is established.
• Manage the development of prototypes and samples seasonally.
• Manage and organize samples, mill cards, and color card library seasonally.
• Conduct product presentations to internal groups, sales team, and customers as required.
• Determine carry over styles, new opportunities, fabric innovations, and assign new models and style updates as necessary.
• Work closely with Chief Creative Officer to develop Sub-Brand synergies between Peter Millar sportswear and Empire Sartorial clothing branded Peter Millar.
• Work closely with Director National Accounts Tailored Clothing to drive the development calendar and ensure that key milestones are being met
• Work closely with Director National Accounts Tailored Clothing to make product decisions and drive the execution of the development process.
• Develop strong relationships with key fabric suppliers to ensure that the seasonal line is optimized for commercial growth.
• Communicate with factories and mills to ensure samples are executed properly
• Communicate with the production department and factories to ensure production is executed properly
• Update SKU Plan details for assigned category(s) during the development season
• Manage the Booking Analysis process to demonstrate best sellers, worst sellers, retail price points, wholesale price points, wholesale margins, retail mark-ups, and category penetration
• Support the sales team during market appointment set-up period as needed.
• Possess the capacity to travel to major markets to support LSR and to better understand the competitive Sartorial landscape.
• Possess the capacity to travel to the Empire factory for strategic visits regarding development.
• Possess the capacity to travel to fabric shows or markets for seasonal development when necessary (domestic & international).

COMPETENCIES:

• Critical thinker who can make key decisions, communicate effectively, and stay on task to meet team objectives.
• Outstanding time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple deadlines and priorities; accurate organizational methods with a strong attention to detail
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with employees, vendors and clients

DESIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Textile, Fashion, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5-7 years of experience in merchandising, product development, or technical design in apparel.
• Experience building seasonal assortments (fabric, color, pricing, silhouette) and managing product through development to production.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, and vendor/factory collaboration.
• Comfortable working across cross-functional teams and influencing product decisions.
• Proficiency in PLM systems and Excel.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!