Sr. Marketing Product Specialist
Posted Updated
At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.
What You'll Be Doing
Product Strategy & Storytelling
- Partner with merchandising teams to gain a deep understanding of seasonal assortments, brand priorities, product trends, growth opportunities, and key business objectives.
- Transform merchandise and brand strategies into compelling, customer-focused marketing stories that bring products to life across channels.
- Develop product positioning and messaging strategies, including priorities, targeting, communication approach, campaign frequency, and creative direction.
- Ensure product and brand narratives are relevant, engaging, and aligned with both customer needs and business goals.
Cross-Functional Partnership & Execution
- Lead the product alignment process, ensuring key milestones and deadlines are met and all product details and imagery are accurately maintained.
- Collaborate with merchandising teams to ensure selected products support the most impactful marketing stories, while thoughtfully influencing and challenging partners when needed.
- Partner with marketing teams, including Traffic, Creative, CRM, and Media, to identify photography and content requirements that support campaign goals and timelines.
- Coordinate with photography teams on product samples, shot lists, and creative needs to ensure assets are delivered on time and ready for activation.
Campaign Planning & Channel Activation
- Facilitate weekly planning and prioritization of product and brand messaging with cross-functional partners.
- Ensure merchandise stories are effectively represented across channels and supported by the right products and content.
- Partner with merchants and planning teams to develop marketing strategies for key merchandise events, including:
- Product launches
- New releases
- Seasonal campaigns
- Value-focused events
- Bring these moments to life through thoughtful marketing plans that connect products with meaningful customer experiences.
Brand Partnerships & Performance Optimization
- Develop and execute marketing plans for strategic brand partners, including vendor-funded co-op initiatives.
- Act as a key liaison between merchants, brand partners, and marketing teams to ensure seamless execution and alignment.
- Monitor campaign and product performance by leveraging customer response, market insights, inventory availability, and business results.
- Adjust product and brand messaging as needed to maximize opportunities and improve performance.
Customer Experience & Influence
- Ensure creative assets accurately reflect product details, brand expectations, and messaging standards while delivering emotionally engaging stories that inspire customers and strengthen brand connections.
- Bring a confident, data-informed point of view grounded in marketing objectives, KPIs, and customer experience insights to influence cross-functional decisions and priorities.
Continuous Improvement
- Look for opportunities to simplify processes, improve efficiency, and enhance team collaboration.
- Recommend and support solutions that drive stronger execution and better business outcomes.
What You'll Need
Marketing & Business Acumen
- Ability to develop marketing plans in a retail environment by synthesizing multiple inputs, including:
- Merchandise goals and results
- Business objectives and KPIs
- Customer insights and analytics
- Market trends and opportunities
Communication & Relationship Building
- Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to build trusted partnerships across teams and functions.
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly, present confidently, and influence decisions using data and insights.
Organization & Execution
- Highly organized and detail-oriented with exceptional time management and follow-through.
- Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, balance competing deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
- Ability to work independently and take initiative with minimal direction when needed.
- Strong critical thinking skills and natural curiosity.
- Ability to balance strategic, big-picture thinking with hands-on execution and day-to-day priorities.
What You'll Need
Minimum Experience
- 2-3 years of marketing experience.
Minimum Education
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, or a related business field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Merchandising or trend experience is a plus.