Category Manager Collaborations, Special Projects & Key Account Exclusives

  • Full-time

Company Description

Since 1959 Alpha Industries has designed and sold high quality, military-inspired outerwear that remains true to its heritage. The authenticity of the brand’s top styles, the MA-1 Flight Jacket and the M-65 Field Coat, was born of purpose as a result of the first contracts awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense over 50 years ago. Even today both styles, among many others, have kept Alpha Industries at the forefront of military fashion offering new fits, silhouettes, colors, and detailing. Available in department stores, specialty shops, and fashion retailers around the globe, Alpha also collaborates with top brands and designers. We operate with a start-up feel but rooted in a strong brand history. For more information, visit www.alphaindustries.com.

Alpha Industries offers a casual, family-friendly work culture that promotes inclusivity and collaboration.  You’ll be joining a passionate team that works to drive our brand mission and to ensure Alpha continues to evolve into one of the pioneers in military fashion for the gen z and millennial customer.

Job Description

The Category Manager will work closely with the VP of Brand & Business Development to focus on Collaborations, Special Projects & Key Account Exclusives for Alpha Industries. This role is a niche between Product/Project Management & Sales with a distinct opportunity to grow, evolve and generate energy around the Alpha Industries brand. The position will help reach our global brand and business objectives while attracting new customers, converting new buyers to loyalists and rewarding our fans.  

We are currently working fully remote and expect once the office re-opens for the position to become a hybrid between remote and in office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Support VP of Brand & Business Development in seeking out and building partnerships with other brands and designers for the purpose of product collaborations
  • Support VP of Brand & Business Development in identifying partners, preparing presentations, securing partners, and crafting the story and narrative throughout the lifecycle of the collaboration - from idea inception to launch
  • Support VP of Brand & Business Development negotiating deals with collaboration partners; managing entire contract process
  • Serve as liaison between internal cross functional partners such as (product/merchandising, brand marketing/PR/creative, Sales) and outside collaborators, ensure the collaborations/special projects are trend-right, align with key corporate initiatives and, maximize impact and elevate the overall brand equity
  • Support VP of Brand & Business Development to build and maintain new and existing customer relationships
  • Maintain a solid, organized contact list which furthers our customer relationships and generates consistent, proactive sales volume, that are in line with the Collaborations, Special Projects and Key Accounts strategy
  • Keep team apprised of trends in fashion and culture, staying current on competitive collaborations in the marketplace
  • Help build collaboration/special project capsule collections in line with overall brand strategy
  • Create Concept briefs for new business pitches
  • Work with designers to translate collaborator or project vision into viable and on-brand product
  • Ensure that project milestone dates are met, resolving issues and coordinating cross functionally in order to do so
  • Must have an elevated and diverse understanding of brands, brand aesthetics (fashion, apparel and lifestyle brands, designers, entertainment, influencers) with clear POV on how those brands could be translated/curated through the Alpha Industries aesthetic
  • Effectively presents ideas, plans and concepts for review and collaboration with internal cross-functional partners and external stakeholders
  • Source vintage, deadstock and upcycled product for RE:SUPPLY initiative
  • Review licensee seasonal designs and collaborations for approval

Qualifications

  • Minimum 5-8 years' experience in fashion, apparel and/or footwear
  • Resourceful team player with high energy and a passion for product, entertainment, trends, fashion and culture
  • Clear strategic vision combined with actions that are defined and executed with urgency
  • Excellent planning and project management competencies
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, including meeting facilitation and presentations
  • Ability to effectively elevate strategic concerns to senior management in a timely and accurate manner
  • Ability to develop strong working relationships with management and external resources. Strong knowledge of cross-team collaboration
  • Ability to work independently as well as with team in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to prioritize, multi-task and adapt quickly to change
  • Highly organized and detailed oriented with ability to multitask towards multiple deadlines
  • Understanding and enthusiasm for Alpha Industries brand

Additional Information

Alpha Industries offers competitive pay, employee discounts and outstanding benefits package. Alpha Industries’ corporate headquarters is located in Chantilly, VA, Sales and Marketing located in New York, NY and Distribution Center in Knoxville, TN. Alpha Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. To learn more about a rewarding career with Alpha Industries, please visit our website at www.alphaindustries.com.