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Harley-Davidson Motor Company · 2 days ago

Merchandising Director - Apparel & Licensing

Wauwatosa, WI

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$149K/yr - $238K/yr

8+ years exp

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is seeking an experienced Merchandising Director for their Apparel & Licensing division. This role involves leading the merchandising strategy for the apparel business, focusing on product assortment, financial performance, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver compelling products to market.

AutomotiveBusiness DevelopmentIndustrialManufacturingTransportation

No H1B

Responsibilities

Develop and own the multi-season merchandising strategy aligned to brand positioning, consumer insights, and financial targets

Define category architecture, SKU strategies, pricing frameworks, and margin goals

Lead product storytelling and strategic intent across seasons to ensure clear direction for Design, Planning, and cross-functional partners

Conduct marketplace, trend, and competitive analysis to inform long-term opportunities and risks

Oversee the seasonal line creation process, ensuring assortments reflect consumer need states, channel strategies, and growth priorities

Evaluate and refine assortments based on business performance, consumer insights, and regional feedback

Lead milestone meetings, communicating product strategy, seasonal objectives, and line rationale to senior leadership

Ensure product briefs reflect strategic intent, target consumer, and margin requirements

Partner closely with Planning and Finance to build annual and seasonal financial plans that balance growth, margin, and productivity

Make data-driven decisions using historical performance, sell-through, and consumer analytics

Optimize assortment productivity by managing SKU efficiency, pricing strategies, and margin enhancement initiatives

Collaborate with Design to guide conceptual direction, material usage, and product priorities

Partner with Sourcing to achieve cost targets, negotiate margin improvements, and ensure production feasibility

Work with Sales, Marketing, and GTM teams to develop product narratives, seasonal presentations, and channel strategies

Align with Operations and Supply Chain teams to ensure on-time delivery, inventory alignment, and distribution needs

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing merchandising team

Create clear expectations, process discipline, and accountability across seasonal workflows

Promote a collaborative culture that brings consumer, design, and business perspectives together

Oversee merchandising tools, systems, and process improvements to increase speed, accuracy, and collaboration

Ensure data integrity across PLM, ERP, and merchandising documents

In partnership with Operations, drive continuous improvement across the product creation calendar and milestone processes

Qualification

Merchandising strategyProduct line managementFinancial managementTeam leadershipConsumer insightsAnalytical skillsCross-functional collaborationOperational excellenceCommunication skillsPresentation skills

Required

High School Diploma or Equivalent Required

8–12+ years of merchandising or product leadership experience within the apparel industry

Proven success in building product strategies and driving profitable growth

Strong leadership capability with experience managing, developing, and inspiring teams

Deep understanding of consumer trends, competitive landscape, and product creation processes

Highly analytical with mastery in line planning, margin analysis, and merchandising systems

Strong communication and executive presentation skills

Preferred

Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business, Fashion, or related field preferred; MBA a plus

Benefits

Annual bonus programs

Health insurance benefits

A 401k program

Onsite fitness centers and employee stores

Employee discounts on products and accessories

Company

Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Glassdoor3.6

In 1903, out of a small shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, four young men lit a cultural wildfire that would grow and spread across geographies and generations.

Founded in 1903

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

5001-10000 employees