Job Description

Employee Mission

As an employee at Coolibar, you play a vital role in advancing our mission: to keep the world safe from sun damage, protecting those with sun-related medical conditions and helping prevent it for everyone else. You are part of a collaborative, cross-functional team dedicated to delivering the most innovative, user-centric UPF 50+ clothing and products, empowering people to live active, outdoor lives with confidence and safety in the sun.

Job Summary

As the Category Manager for Coolibar’s Active & Suntect categories, you will take ownership of one of the company’s newest and most dynamic divisions. This role is ideal for a self-starter with strong entrepreneurial instincts and a user-driven mindset. You will be responsible for building category strategy, driving growth, and laying the foundation for long-term success.

This role requires a high degree of initiative, creative problem-solving, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. You will lead all aspects of the category lifecycle from user insight and assortment planning to pricing, launch strategy, and performance analysis. In this highly collaborative position, you will work closely with Product, Marketing, E-Commerce, Buying, Planning, and Wholesale teams to develop and scale compelling, high-performance UPF 50+ products designed for movement, comfort, and protection.

This is a full-time, in-person position based at our headquarters. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead category vision and strategy for Active & Suntect, identifying key opportunities for growth, product innovation, and differentiation in a competitive landscape.

· Build and manage seasonal line plans that balance performance features with user needs, while maintaining SKU efficiency and margin optimization.

· Drive new category development with a test-and-learn mindset, leveraging user feedback and data to evolve the assortment with agility.

· Partner closely with the Product team to develop performance-driven, user-centric styles that align with end-use activities and protection standards.

· Collaborate with the Marketing and E-Commerce teams to position and promote products with compelling messaging tailored to the active lifestyle user.

· Work with the Wholesale team to define go-to-market strategies, gather channel feedback, and drive adoption across retail partners.

· Partner with Buying and Planning to align seasonal buys, deadlines, and production timelines, ensuring on-time delivery and inventory readiness.

· Present category performance, user insights, and strategic opportunities to shareholders and senior leadership to secure alignment and support.

· Act as the key connector between teams, bringing structure and clarity to new processes while maintaining a strong focus on timelines, execution, and product positioning.

· Champion an entrepreneurial spirit within the team by taking ownership, proposing new ideas, and driving continuous improvement within a growing business unit.

Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business, Marketing, or a related field.

· 3–7+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or buying—ideally in performance apparel, activewear, or user-driven product categories.

· Proven ability to build strategies and processes from scratch, with a passion for taking initiative and driving progress in evolving environments.

· Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize data, user feedback, and trends into actionable insights.

· Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, Planning, and Wholesale teams to launch and scale assortments.

· Proficiency in PLM software, Excel, and data reporting platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

· Familiarity with DTC, wholesale, or omnichannel retail environments.

· Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

· Enthusiasm for building user-centric product assortments that support active lifestyles and Coolibar’s sun protection mission

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