What are the responsibilities and job description for the :Apparel Product Line Manager position at RC Outfitters?
About Us:
RC Outfitters is a premier active lifestyle store dedicated to providing high-quality apparel and gear to our community. As a small business, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional customer service, curated product selections, and a passion for the active lifestyle and business casual needs of our community. We are looking for a dynamic and strategic Apparel Product Line Manager (PLM) to lead and grow our apparel business. Learn more at .
Job Summary:
The Apparel Product Line Manager (PLM) is responsible for overseeing the entire apparel department, ensuring the right product assortment while maintaining profitability. This role requires a keen eye for product selection (active and business casual assortments), an ability to nurture and cultivate vendor relationships and assist with marketing collaboration, and skills to lead in-store merchandising. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, has a strong understanding of retail trends, and is capable of managing an established budget effectively.
Key Responsibilities:
- Product Management & Assortment Planning
- Oversee the entire apparel assortment to align with RC Outfitters’ brand and customer needs.
- Place, modify, and revise future apparel orders to optimize inventory levels.
- Monitor and execute markdown strategies when necessary to maintain profitability.
- Identify opportunities for in-season product fills and replenishments.
- Vendor & Trade Show Engagement
- Attend trade shows as needed to evaluate and select new apparel lines.
- Build and maintain strong vendor relationships for optimal pricing, marketing support, and exclusive product opportunities.
- Work with vendors to secure promotional support and advertising collaborations.
- Merchandising & Marketing Collaboration
- Oversee visual merchandising strategies to ensure an engaging in-store shopping experience.
- Partner with the marketing team to highlight key brands and product promotions through digital and in-store marketing efforts.
- Team Education & Sales Enablement
- Work closely with the lead educator to provide product knowledge and training for the sales team.
- Ensure staff is well-informed about apparel assortments, brand stories, and key selling points to maximize customer engagement and sales.
Qualifications:
- Retail buying or product management experience in apparel: preferably in active lifestyle, office, travel, and commuting categories.
- Strong understanding of merchandising, inventory management, and retail metrics (ROI, inventory turn, etc.).
- Excellent relationship management skills with vendors and internal teams.
- Ability to analyze sales trends and adjust product assortments accordingly.
- Experience in visual merchandising and marketing collaboration.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
- Proficiency in retail management software and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Passion for active lifestyles and an understanding of performance apparel.
Why Join RC Outfitters?
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced retail environment.
- A passionate team that values high-quality products and customer service.
- Competitive salary (salary based on experience) and employee benefits.
- Benefits include medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, simple IRA contribution, paid time off, and more!
- A chance to influence and grow the apparel business in a well-established, community-focused store.
If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for apparel and retail management, we invite you to apply and become a key part of the RC Outfitters team!
Interested applicants must send a cover letter and resume to Adam White at adam@rcoutfitter.com. We look forward to meeting you!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Compensation Package:
- Bonus opportunities
Ability to Commute:
- Peoria, IL 61602 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Peoria, IL 61602: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $20 - $24