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

The Hat Category Manager is a passionate hat enthusiast who will drive the strategic direction, merchandising, and product development of Coolibar's hat portfolio. This position is fundamentally user-centric, deeply committed to understanding customer needs, gathering continuous user feedback, and developing products that align with the brand mission of sun protection while meeting real-world usage requirements. This position reports to the Product Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop products that align with Coolibar's sun protection mission and meet real customer needs
• Continuously gather user feedback through testing sessions and User Group sample reviews
• Champion the customer voice throughout the product development process
• Drive end-to-end product development from concept through production to delivery
• Lead merchandising planning including assortment strategy, pricing, and seasonal line plans
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and customer insights to optimize the hat portfolio
• Source and evaluate fabrics, trims, and hat-specific construction methods
• Specify technical requirements including crown heights, brim widths, sizing systems, and closures
• Oversee fit and quality standards for all hat styles
• Conduct personal wear-testing of prototypes and production samples
• Perform and document in-house UV testing of fabrics and production units
• Manage production timelines and coordinate with suppliers on manufacturing requirements
• Address quality issues through root cause analysis
• Maintain Tech Pack library, fabric catalog, and trim library for hat category
• Utilize PLM system with accurate product data
• Coordinate compliance and regulatory testing for all hat products

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for hats and headwear with deep understanding of hat construction, fit, and sizing
• BA/BS in Retail Merchandising or Apparel and Textiles
• 5+ years of combined experience in product development and merchandising/buying, preferably with focus on hats or accessories
• Proven ability to gather and apply user feedback to drive product improvements
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite
• Working knowledge of cut & sew construction and fit concepts
• Experience with textiles and trims
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Experience with PLM systems a plus
• Strong attention to detail and ability to resolve issues
• Analytical and mathematical skills
• User-centric mindset deeply committed to understanding and solving customer needs
• Assertiveness and strong initiative
• Ability to meet deadlines and work in a team environment
• Excellent organizational skills
• Self-motivated and able to work independently

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