JOIN US AND "CREATE YOUR VISION" ABOUT US S&S Activewear is a leading North American, tech-enabled specialty distributor of imprintable apparel, including t-shirts, fleece, athletic wear, headwear, workwear, scrubs and accessories. We pride ourselves on being the “critical link” that enables our 100+ brand partners such as Adidas, Columbia and Gildan to reach our hyper-fragmented base of customers, comprised of apparel decorators, eRetailers and promotional products distributors that embellish apparel items for diverse end consumer use cases (e.g., everyday wear, concerts, fitness attire, life events, team sports, etc.). At S&S, we differentiate in the market through a customer service focus, strategic product portfolio, world-class distribution infrastructure, a collaborative growth culture and a relentless focus on technology and innovation. Our success has compounded since the Company’s humble beginnings in 1988 as a regional t-shirt distributor to a leading, multi-billion-dollar value-added distribution platform that drives market penetration for our suppliers while enabling the growth, operations and fulfillment for a diverse range of customers across channels and business sizes. We strive to be the apparel distributor of choice while inspiring and fostering growth for customers, employees and suppliers through our core values of service, deep relationships, innovation, continuous improvement and accountability. ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking a Director of Merchandising to lead the strategic direction, category development, and financial performance of our non-apparel product portfolio. This role will oversee multiple product categories—such as headwear, bags and accessories—and will be responsible for driving innovation, customer relevance, and profitable growth across these businesses. This leader will bring deep merchandising expertise, a customer-first mindset, and a strong ability to influence cross-functional teams and vendor partners. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and be passionate about building differentiated assortments that meet the evolving needs of our customers. Schedule Monday-Friday, Full-Time, Exempt Hybrid or Remote available Hybrid - 220 Remington Blvd Bolingbrook, IL WHAT YOU WILL DO Category Strategy & Portfolio Leadership • Define and execute a multi-year merchandising strategy across non-apparel categories aligned with company vision, customer needs, and financial goals. • Own category-level financial targets including revenue, margin, and inventory productivity. • Lead line architecture planning across multiple categories, ensuring a balanced and differentiated assortment by brand, price point, use case, and trend. • Identify white space opportunities and drive innovation through new product development and strategic brand partnerships. Cross-Functional & Enterprise Collaboration • Partner with Purchasing/Planning, Marketing, Sales, Strategy, and Operations to deliver cohesive go-to-market strategies and successful product launches. • Influence cross-functional roadmaps to ensure alignment on category priorities, customer segmentation, and seasonal initiatives. • Collaborate with digital and technology teams to enhance product discoverability and merchandising effectiveness across channels. Vendor & Brand Management • Build and manage strategic vendor relationships to ensure alignment on product development, exclusivity, and execution. • Create roadmaps to drive mutual growth and profitability. Customer & Market Insights • Leverage customer data, feedback, and trends to inform assortment decisions and category strategies. • Monitor competitive landscape and consumer behavior to identify emerging trends and market shifts. • Engage directly with key customers to understand their business needs and translate insights into actionable merchandising plans. Leadership & Talent Development • Lead and develop a high-performing merchandising team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. • Mentor category managers and merchants, providing strategic guidance and career development support. • Champion diversity of thought and inclusive product strategies that reflect the needs of a broad customer base. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. • 10+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, or product strategy, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. • Proven success managing multi-category portfolios in a high-growth, multi-supplier environment. • Strong financial acumen and experience owning P&L-level accountability. • Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills. • Deep understanding of customer segmentation, product lifecycle management, and go-to-market execution. • Analytical mindset with a passion for data-driven decision-making and trend forecasting. • Ability to travel up to 30% of the time. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. Working Environment This job operates in a professional office and home office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions. S&S Activewear welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to creating a diverse culture and supporting human growth. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We conduct business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer, and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons. S&S participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. This job offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.