Director, Product Design and Merchandising

True Classic is searching for an experienced and dynamic Director of Product Design and Merchandising to lead our Product team. From a single t-shirt, we’ve expanded our range to include jeans, activewear, fleece, and more. In this role, you will be at the forefront of designing and evolving our apparel collections while developing seasonal merchandising strategies that resonate with our customers across a growing omnichannel landscape. 

We are looking for a leader who balances creativity with data-driven insights—someone who can move fast, trust their intuition, and adapt in a rapidly growing environment If you’re passionate about fashion, strategic product planning, and customer-focused design, this opportunity is your chance to make a lasting impact on True Classic’s future.

This role will report to the Head of Commercial and collaborate closely with key stakeholders in Product Strategy, Product Development, Channel, and Marketing.

Areas of Accountability: 

Product Design:

• Lead the end-to-end product design process, from initial concept development to final production, ensuring alignment with True Classic’s brand ethos and customer expectations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sourcing and production, to select materials and finalize product specifications.
• Stay ahead of fashion trends and market dynamics to infuse fresh ideas and innovation into product designs.
• Oversee the creation of seasonal color palettes and fabric selections, ensuring cohesive collections that resonate with target consumers.
• Manage design timelines and ensure all product development milestones are met, balancing speed to market with product quality.

Product Merchandising:

• Develop and implement comprehensive seasonal merchandising strategies that align with the company’s growth objectives and brand vision.
• Analyze sales data, customer feedback, and market trends to inform assortment planning and product mix optimization.
• Collaborate with the Buying and Planning teams to ensure product availability meets customer demand while maintaining efficient inventory levels.
• Establish strong visual merchandising guidelines to enhance product appeal and storytelling across various channels.
• Strategize product launches, expansions into new categories, and strategic partnerships to drive brand growth and customer engagement.

Product Marketing:

• Partner with Marketing and Channel teams to create compelling product stories and go-to-market strategies that amplify brand identity and resonate with the target audience.
• Develop product positioning and messaging that highlight key product features and benefits, ensuring alignment across all marketing channels.
• Support the creation of promotional campaigns and initiatives that increase product visibility and drive sales.
• Collaborate on photoshoots, campaign planning, and digital content to showcase products effectively across e-commerce and social media platforms.
• Monitor and evaluate product performance post-launch, using insights to refine future design, merchandising, and marketing approaches.

Qualification Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in apparel product design, preferably within a fast-paced, growth-oriented brand; proven ability to conceptualize and execute product designs from initial sketches to final production, ensuring a cohesive and innovative product line.
• Extensive knowledge of fabrics, knits, and textile technology, including fiber content, properties, and application to apparel design.
• Expertise in color theory and its application in seasonal design palettes, ensuring the creation of products that align with customer preferences and brand identity.
• Deep understanding of merchandising principles, including assortment planning, product positioning, and pricing strategy.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret market research, customer feedback, and sales data to inform product design and merchandising decisions.
• Ability to pivot between high-level strategy and detailed execution, adapting quickly to shifts in consumer behavior and market conditions.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, fostering a collaborative environment across design, merchandising, and marketing teams.
• Effective communication skills to articulate design concepts and strategy to stakeholders, including cross-functional partners and executive leadership.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving and innovation.

Company Overview:

True Classic launched in late 2019 and has grown to become one of the hottest direct-to-consumer men’s apparel brands, continuing to experience rapid growth despite changes to digital advertising and the macroeconomic environment. We are on a mission to empower over 100M people worldwide to look good and feel good by the end of 2034 and are guided by six core values to chart our path to success:

1. Move the Needle 📈
• We are obsessed with driving tangible business results.
• We constantly refocus our efforts and eliminate busy work to drive measurable impact.
• We embrace simplicity, automation, and technology to amplify our force.
2. Harness Grit 💪🏻
• We are ambitious and persevere through challenges with a relentless spirit.
• We're optimistic about the future and our glass is half full.
• We are self-motivated, resourceful, and determined to make a difference.
3. Go Fast ⚡
• We are nimble, open-minded, and seek the fastest path to success.
• We remove barriers, eliminate friction, and move at the speed of light.
• We believe that “done is better than perfect” and fail forward to make progress.
4. Execute as a Pro 🏁
• We are curious and leverage data & insights to move in the right direction.
• We are doers, embody an owner’s mentality, and strive to get 1% better every day.
• We work systematically to produce consistent results & get our projects done right.
5. Be Creative 🎨
• We are first-principles thinkers and develop bold ideas to challenge the status quo.
• We are innovators at heart & believe that ingenuity is often the solution.
• We solve problems resourcefully and think outside the box.
6. Lead with Empathy  
• We obsess over our customers to consistently over-deliver.
• We are inclusive, appreciative, and supportive of our employees & partners.
• We put ourselves in others’ shoes and seek to deeply understand their perspective.

At True Classic, our mission is to empower everyone to show up as their best self. We continually strive to build a community that invites creativity, curiosity, and innovation; and that can only start when we bring diverse voices to the table. As an equal opportunity employer, we stay true to our mission by ensuring everyone feels more confident being exactly who they are.

Work Environment:
This position will be required to be located in the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan area. You will spend significant time working out of the True Classic HQ office each week located in Calabasas and we will provide the necessary tools and support to ensure a productive and collaborative work experience both in office and at home. Additionally, the company holds quarterly all-hands meetings in California, which you would be expected to travel to and attend in person.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $175K - $225K
• Unlimited Sick Days & PTO
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision PPO insurance (Anthem Gold PPO)
• 401k plan with 3% company match
• Monthly $200 stipend for home office expenses
• Free $1,000 worth of True Classic merchandise every year
• Free Employee Assistance Program

Our mission is to empower everyone to show up as their best self. We are dedicated to creating a community where creativity, curiosity, and innovation thrive; and that starts with welcoming diverse voices to our team. We believe that everyone should feel confident being exactly who they are, which is why we’re committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate and support differences in race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, and abilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please reach out to us at hr@trueclassic.com.

Please note that the duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the role. Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed to meet business needs.