SVP of Brand Strategy and PD

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive product and merchandising strategy that drives sales, profitability, market share growth, and long-term brand value.
• Lead the development of compelling, trend-right product assortments that align with brand identity, licensed-property DNA, retailer expectations, consumer demand, and overall business objectives while balancing creative innovation with manufacturability, margin, quality, compliance, and commercial viability.
• Partner closely with Sales, Licensing, Operations, and Sourcing to ensure products are developed for the right customers, channels, price points, and timelines, and that product and sourcing strategies remain aligned with retailer, licensor, and business requirements.
• Evaluate and optimize the factory matrix in partnership with Licensing, Sales, and Sourcing to ensure appropriate manufacturing capabilities, certifications, testing expertise, capacity, cost structure, category experience, and speed-to-market; identify capability gaps, qualify and develop new manufacturing resources as needed, and maintain strong factory and vendor partnerships to achieve quality, compliance, capacity, cost, and on-time delivery expectations.
• Provide senior-level leadership and escalation support on product development and production challenges, driving proactive problem-solving, disciplined execution, and timely decision-making across functions.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing Product Development organization with clear objectives, defined responsibilities, measurable performance expectations, accountability, and succession planning.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong knowledge of product development, merchandising, sourcing, licensing, and retail.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams and drive accountability across multiple functions.
• Ability to move effectively between high-level product and brand strategy and detailed execution, including product direction, development calendars, testing, approvals, factory capabilities, and production risks.
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle, including costing, sourcing, artwork and sample approvals, testing/compliance, production, and commercialization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex timelines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to simplify processes and drive efficient execution.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to build effective relationships with retailers, licensors, factories, vendors, and cross-functional business partners.