Analysis Skills, Brand Marketing (Branding), Brand Positioning, Brand Strategy, Business Development, Business Intelligence Software, Business-to-Business (B2B) Marketing, Category Management, Channel Strategies, Communication Skills, Competitive Analysis/Strategy, Competitive Research, Corporate Finance, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Customer Training, Customer/Client Research, Customer/Consumer Behavior, Documentation, Establish Priorities, Financial Modeling, Financial Operations, Global Branding, Healthcare, Industrial Management, Inventory Planning, Leadership, Long-Term Profit, Manufacturing, Market Segmentation, Market Share, Market Trend Analysis, Marketing, Marketing Plan, Merchandising, Microsoft Office, Model Review, Multitasking, Needs Assessment, Operations Planning, Organizational Skills, Performance Analysis, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Design, Product Development, Product Lifecycle, Product Lifecycle Management, Product Management, Product Planning, Product Pricing, Product Programs, Product Testing, Productivity Management, Profit & Loss, Project Evaluation, Project/Program Management, Revenue Growth, Safety/Work Safety, Sales, Sales Operations, Sales Presentation, Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), Tableau, Target Marketing, Team Player, Time Management, Trend Analysis
Our Mission
Our mission is to keep the workforce safe on the job by providing comfortable, high-quality protective footwear—helping reduce accidents and save money.
About Shoes For Crews, LLC (SFC)
Shoes For Crews is a dynamic designer, manufacturer, and B2B marketer of technologically advanced, top-rated slip-resistant footwear. We serve the foodservice, hospitality, industrial, and healthcare industries, protecting over 3.5 million workers annually across more than 120,000 workplaces. For over 30 years, we’ve built our reputation on innovation, proprietary manufacturing, and targeted niche marketing.
Merchandise Manager, Industrial
Reports to: SVP, Marketing
Location: Boca Raton, FL (Hybrid – 3 days in office: Tuesday – Thursday)
FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt
Job Summary
The Merchandise Manager, Industrial is a highly visible, high-impact role responsible for shaping the future growth trajectory of our ACE branded industrial business. This individual will lead the category strategy, product roadmap, and go-to-market execution for the company’s industrial portfolio, including the ACE Industrial brand and strategic co-branded partnerships with DeWalt, Puma Safety, and others.
Reporting to the SVP of Marketing, this role serves as the business owner for the Industrial category, driving long-range growth through consumer insights, product innovation, competitive differentiation, and strategically mapping the assortment to the sales growth charter.
The Merchandise Manager will play a pivotal role in accelerating market share gains, strengthening brand positioning, and delivering against the company’s long-term revenue and profitability objectives.
As a key partner across Shoes For Crews’ cross-functional teams, the Merchandise Manager, Industrial will bring a deep understanding of customer segmentation, pricing strategies, and channel distribution to maximize sales and profitability. This individual will work directly with Product Development (US and China), Marketing, Sales, Operations, and other teams to ensure seamless execution of merchandising strategies that enhance global brand equity and grow market share.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Category Strategy and Ownership
- Own the long-term category vision, growth strategy, and commercial performance for ACE Industrial and co-branded partners, including DeWalt, Puma Safety, and others
- Develop and execute a multi-year product innovation roadmap aligned to company financial targets and market opportunities
- Identify whitespace opportunities, emerging trends, customer needs, and competitive threats to inform future product pipeline
- Monitor category performance and recommend actions to improve sales, margin, market share, and product productivity
Assortment Planning and Product Lifecycle
- Lead assortment architecture, line planning, pricing strategies, and lifecycle management across the Industrial portfolio
- Ensure product offerings are differentiated, competitively positioned, and aligned with customer and channel needs
- Drive product rationalization and SKU optimization initiatives to improve portfolio productivity
Product Development and Innovation
- Develop compelling product briefs grounded in customer insights, market intelligence, and commercial objectives
- Partner closely with global Product Development, Design, and Sourcing teams to bring innovative products to market
- Manage product testing and validation programs to ensure products exceed customer expectations
Go-to-Market Execution
- Own the merchandising strategy throughout the entire go-to-market process, from concept through commercialization
- Ensure successful launch execution with Marketing through coordinated planning, positioning, messaging, and channel strategies
- Support key customer presentations, line reviews, and strategic business development opportunities
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead cross-functional alignment with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Inventory Planning, and Product Development teams
- Serve as the category expert for industrial end users, occupational segments, and workplace safety trends
- Analyze consumer feedback, wear testing results, sales performance, competitive activity, and market data to drive decision-making
Financial and Operational Responsibilities
- Assist with the creation and review of financial models and provide strategic recommendations for new product initiatives
- Manage the upkeep of product-related tools, resources, training materials, and customer service documentation
Qualifications
- Genuine passion and curiosity for the footwear industry, consumer behavior, and staying ahead of consumer trends
- Experienced leader with a proven track record of influencing cross-functional teams
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights; proficiency in Microsoft Office and BI tools such as Tableau, Notion, or similar
- Ability to analyze project needs and determine resources required to meet objectives
- Experience organizing, planning, and executing projects from vision through implementation
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure while meeting multiple and sometimes competing deadlines
Core Competencies
- Excellent organizational, time management, and presentation skills
- Strong collaboration skills with a team-oriented mindset
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work independently
- Ability to build and enhance cooperative working relationships
- Ability to maintain a positive company morale
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with global sourcing, development, and manufacturing teams
- Experience in PLM systems (Centric) a plus
- Background in industrial or safety footwear or related categories preferred
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- 5+ years of work experience in product development, category management, merchandising, or related fields
- Project management and business development experience within the footwear industry a plus
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future employer sponsorship.
Sorry no agencies
Shoes For Crews is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce. Shoes For Crews provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion, disability, marital status, age, genetic information, veteran status or any personal attribute or characteristic that is protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws.