Merchandising Manager

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Merchandising, this individual independently sets and executes the merchandise strategy and vision for a Softlines Category apparel end-to-end. This role delivers consumer-centric, trend-right, high-quality apparel assortments across the Disney Park owned and operated channels — translating franchise priorities and guest insights into category-defining product lines that balance fashion and trend, fit and fabrication, core basics, and gifting, while building brand equity and delivering a consistent worldwide look and feel. Distinct from the Senior Manager, who translates category-level execution across a broader scope, the Manager independently sets category strategy and owns execution end-to-end.

SOFTLINES MERCHANDISING

• Execute the daily implementation of the product strategy for a Softlines Category with full decision authority within the category.
• Develop targeted strategies for various consumer segments and aligned on personas for the category.
• Consumer obsessed — balance the art and science of merchandising to find opportunities, elevate the brand, and delight our consumer.
• Monitor the global competitive landscape, fashion and color trends, and consumer zeitgeist to capture opportunity.
• Champion products developed in collaboration with the design teams to capitalize on fashion and lifestyle trends, anticipate consumer demand, and drive product innovation in category.
• Develop product strategies that define silhouette, fit, fabrication, color, and graphic intent across size ranges.
• Find commonality in consumer, customer, and market trends to minimize duplication and cannibalization; identifies areas to reduce complexity and increase productivity.
• Establish perspective on what’s working and why, using sell-through and performance data to consistently improve the product line.
• Partner with Product Design and Sourcing to deliver seasonal product lines for vertical business models that meet KPI business objectives, including sustainability goals.
• Lead merchant-initiated product development independent of the formal Product Design structure — authoring product briefs, identifying category gaps, and driving concept through commercialization in direct partnership with sourcing and apparel manufacturing vendors.
• Partner in the ideation, negotiation, and delivery of brand collaborations and co-branded product programs within the category, with final approval authority.
• Lead product-focused events and activations that amplify the category offering, partnering with marketing, operations, and creative teams.
• Own the end-to-end product lifecycle for the category, from concept through commercialization, ensuring product development, sampling, and fit approvals deliver against financial targets, innovation, sustainability, and regulatory requirements.

LEADERSHIP / MANAGEMENT

• Serve as the category ambassador across cross-functional teams.
• Manage direct report(s), if applicable, with immediate feedback on performance, weekly touch bases, and regular development and coaching.
• Actively participate in conversations with sourcing to cost the line and run financial scenarios, and leads CFT conversations with category planning.
• Actively participate in conversations with design across all product-line activities and key milestone meetings, including line reviews and fit sessions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in Softlines Merchandising.
• Demonstrated hands-on Softlines merchandising and product development experience across apparel and accessories, including familiarity with fabrication, fit and sizing, garment construction, and testing and quality-control requirements.
• Experience independently building an omni-channel product line for a category or categories of business.
• Demonstrated understanding of diverse Softlines consumer segments (kids, juniors, adult, and family), with experience developing assortment strategies that balance core basics, fashion-forward, and fan- and franchise-driven product.
• Experience building seasonal line plans, size curves, and color and fabric palettes, with fluency in how fit, fabrication, and price-value decisions directly impact consumer perception, purchase behavior, and sell-through.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to independently drive execution against a financial plan.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence a diverse audience, including experience working with external partners and business owners.
• Strong team player — able to build and foster collaborative partnerships across functions and departments.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Kissimmee, FL is $111,700.00 to $149,700.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with Disney Global Product Dev & Creative, which is part of a business we call Disney Consumer Products.

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Disney Global Product Dev & Creative is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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