SUMMARY:

The Associate Merchandiser Performance Apparel & Swim Gear, in steering the product creation process from concept to finished goods. Act as a critical support system by maintaining PLM system integrity, tracking milestones, and ensuring that pricing, brand positioning, and performance metrics are met before production approval.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Take on accountability for a classification or product category for the entire product life cycle.
• Work closely with cross-functional partners to ensure timely execution of key product management milestones is met within the seasonal end-to-end calendar.
• Participates in merchandising strategies and seasonal line plans, product briefs, and roadmaps to build profitable assortments that will meet business objectives and financial goals.
• Assist with conducting global market landscape research and analysis to identify new opportunities for Nike Swim to compete and create value for consumers, retailers, distributors, and other stakeholders. Leverage internal and external data sources to develop an intimate understanding of the consumer and the market space to drive and deliver superior results.
• Collaborate with design, product development, technical design, and sourcing to finalize pricing and margins with sales and planning.
• Interface with all functional areas of the business (design, sales, sourcing, marketing) to maintain successful workflow.
• Learn to analyze retail sales with the planning and design teams to identify opportunities and best selling items.
• Support the Merchandising team in all related needs and market preparation.
• Maintain all merchandising data entry files and communication (merch plan, competitive snapshots, change notices, costing sheets, detailed product information, marketing updates; etc).
• Keep all necessary internal & external partners up to date with product information/changes (purchasing, planning, sourcing, sales, design, overseas, retail team, compliance, e-comm).
• Support sample management process to include tracking samples for assigned categories and ensure on-time delivery, sample organization, invoicing and tracking of sample budget.
• Maintains PLM software for all new & carryover styles, owns all PLM assets for flow into NuOrder / Sales Toolkit.
• Ensures that any loaned samples are tracked & returned in a timely manner.
• Attend weekly development meetings, ensure all important issues and questions are communicated to the lead PLM when he or she cannot attend meetings.
• Attend weekly fittings to monitor development progress. Ensure a detailed recap of progress and any issues is provided to the lead PLM when he or she cannot attend meetings.
• Support the lead PLM by coordinating cross-functional touch bases, meetings dates and times.

SKILLS: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent listener and extremely detail-oriented
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to interact with varying personalities

REQUIREMENTS: 

• BA or BS Degree in Product Development, Product Design, Sports Product Management, Merchandising; or a related field.
• 2-4 years product management and/or merchandising experience in Apparel. Swim Industry experience is a plus.
• Proficient in Google suite, Adobe Suite, and Product Lifecycle Management Software (PLM).
• A passion for product and high taste level.
• Knowledge of retail math and concepts.

SUMMARY

A highly skilled Technical Designer to lead the technical development of our competition and performance swimwear, including elite level suits. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of creativity, innovation, and efficiency—someone who can translate design intent into impeccably built garments while driving cost-effective, scalable solutions. You’ll partner closely with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and global vendors to ensure every style meets our standards for fit, quality, performance, and brand identity.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Drive the end-to-end technical development of competition swimwear and Tech Suits, focusing on high-performance construction, material optimization for drag reduction, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with Design to interpret creative concepts into technically sound products, utilizing 3D development tools to accelerate prototyping, visualize construction, and support design decision‐making.
• Build and maintain comprehensive tech packs, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and manufacturability across all performance swim styles, focusing on elite level swim suits. Create and update specs, BOMs, construction details, and graded measurement charts.
• Develop and refine construction methods, identifying cost‐effective solutions without compromising quality or performance. This includes expertise in ultrasonic welding, bonded seams, and specialty construction used in high-end competition suits.
• Lead team through fit approvals from concept to production, ensuring a consistent fit experience and optimal compression, evaluating prototypes, and providing precise technical direction to vendors.
• Communicate daily with global vendors to resolve technical challenges and maintain development momentum.
• Apply deep knowledge of pattern making, grading, and marker efficiency to optimize fit, consistency, and material usage, particularly for non-stretch and high-modulus performance fabrics.
• Contribute to block pattern development and approvals and collaborate with the Design Team on new fits for development.
• Adhere to multiple calendar deadlines, monitoring progress of all samples from development to pre-production, including wear tests and size set samples
• Participate in continuous improvement of established technical design and product development processes.
• Lead special projects and assignments as needed.

SKILLS:

• Computer skills: Google Apps, Ms Windows, Adobe Illustrator, PLM, pattern design software (Optitex preferred), 3D Development Software (Browzwear preferred)
• Deep expertise in the technical development of World Aquatics-compliant competition swimsuits, including compression mapping, seam sealing, and specialized construction techniques.
• Proven ability to balance design vision with cost, manufacturability, and quality.
• Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative, solution‐oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and changing priorities in a fast‐paced environment.
• Dedicated team player

SUMMARY:
As our Senior Product Line Manager Performance Apparel & Gear, you will lead the product journey for two key categories from initial concept to finished goods. Blending the art of consumer-led storytelling with the science of data-driven innovation, you will oversee market research, specification, rigorous testing, and commercialization. Partnering closely with the Senior Director of Performance, you will drive the execution of products that perfectly align with the brand design vision, financial targets, and long-term brand strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Planning & Assortment Building
• End-to-End Ownership: Accountable for the entire life cycle of the Performance Apparel and Swim Gear product categories from concept to finished goods.
• Merchandising Strategy: Owns seasonal line plans, product briefs, and roadmaps to build profitable assortments that meet business objectives and financial targets.
• Market Insights: Conducts global market landscape research on a seasonal basis to identify opportunities for Nike Swim to compete and create value for consumers, retailers, and distributors. Owns all athlete touchpoints and analysis of feedback to ensure product concepts have been validated by the target consumer.
• Solve global athlete / consumer needs. Mine athlete insights, listen, filter/simplify then translate to a clear executable plan. Continue to edit and perfect to elevate the product through athlete / consumer validation.
• Product Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Calendar Execution: Collaborates with cross-functional partners to ensure key product management milestones are completed within the seasonal end-to-end calendar.
• Workflow Management: Maintains efficient communication flow and process operations across all functional areas, including Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Sales, Sourcing, and Marketing.
• Vendor Communications: Manages and supports daily Swim Gear development communication with liaison offices and outside vendors.
• Development Meetings: Leads weekly development meetings for Performance Apparel and Gear to cover off against strategic initiatives, provide project tracking updates, recaps, and action plans.
• Leads all category presentations to internal & external partners, distributors, and key accounts.
• Attend weekly fittings to ensure development tracks to product briefs, and aligns with consumer needs / brand vision.
• Process & Sample Management
• PLM System Integrity: Ensures the Associate Performance Merchandiser maintains the accuracy and integrity of all styles throughout the development cycle within the PLM system.
• Sample Management: Oversees the sample management process, including sample tracking, organization, invoicing, budget monitoring, and ensuring the timely return of loaned samples.
• Leads third-party prototyping requests, evaluating sample accuracy against specifications and consumer insights to ensure quality and viability prior to tooling sign-off.
• Technical & Graphic Specifications
• Product Execution: Collaborates with the Gear Product Developer to provide comments and approvals for all new development to ensure accurate production and manufacturability.
• Graphic & Print Direction: Owns graphic and print asset direction for all badge/borrow items. Works closely with apparel Design and Print/Pattern teams to create detailed construction detail pages and ensures accurate vendor execution of all seasonal print & graphics.
• Digital Tools: Partners with Design to create CADs and 3D renderings for gear tech sheets and sales tools, ensuring a cohesive seasonal print, color, and graphic story across apparel and gear.
• Testing, Compliance & Packaging
• Testing & Compliance: Collaborates with the Gear Product Developer and key stakeholders across Product Integrity, Social Compliance, and Customer Safety to meet seasonal testing requirements for both product and packaging.
• Packaging Briefs: Leads the cross-functional collaboration with Product Development and Product Integrity, and owns the packaging briefs and submission process.
• Oversees Associate Merchandiser tasks related to packaging design proofing, ensuring all packaging layouts align with brand standards and production timelines.
• Travel
• Responsible for global travel / attendance of relevant trade shows, to assist with overall product R&D.

SKILLS:

• This position requires proficiency in the following software programs:
• Proficient in Google suite, Adobe Suite, and Product Lifecycle Management Software (PLM)
• Candidates must be highly-organized, detail-oriented, team-players; with the ability to work well within a small team environment.
• Must demonstrate product acuity & aesthetic acumen, a passion for product and high taste level to deliver product excellence through fit, style, material, make and finishing.
• Ability to confidently negotiate with, and influence, key cross-functional stakeholders.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Product Design, Sports Product Management, Merchandising; or a related field.
• 5-7 years of related experience in Apparel / Hardgoods / Accessories. Swim Industry experience is a plus.
• Must have the ability to present, articulate and influence product strategy and product details to internal and external audiences.