What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Planning & Merchandising position at KREWE?
About KREWE
KREWE is an independent, high-fashion eyewear brand rooted in the vibrant culture and boundless creativity of our hometown, New Orleans - and now proudly headquartered in both New Orleans and New York City. Since our launch in 2013, KREWE has grown into a dynamic brand celebrated for its distinctive, handcrafted sun and optical frames that reflect a deep commitment to quality, individuality, and design.
In 2022, we opened the doors to our NYC headquarters in the heart of the Meatpacking District, building a second home for the brand that brings New Orleans’ culture, creativity, and energy to one of the world’s most iconic design capitals. Our presence now spans brick-and-mortar boutiques, mobile retail concepts, and a thriving e-commerce platform - alongside distribution through premier independents and top national retailers. Celebrated for our unique approach to design, KREWE has cultivated a loyal following among style-conscious consumers and influential tastemakers.
As we continue to expand, we’re looking for passionate, driven, and innovative individuals to join our talented team. At KREWE our work is fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply mission-driven. Our people are high-performing and ambitious - not just about hitting goals, but about building something that’s original, culturally rooted and globally resonant. Every team member at KREWE has the opportunity to own their role and make a lasting impact. If this sounds like the right environment for you we invite you to apply below.
We are currently searching for a Director, Planning & Merchandising to build and lead our product planning function, connecting design, development, and sales across all channels. This role serves as the critical bridge between the studio and the market, translating insights into actionable assortment and sales plans to drive stronger product-market fit and smarter decision-making. We’re looking for someone with a deep understanding of eyewear planning, ideally with experience in luxury or fashion retail, who can establish the structure and processes that will enable KREWE’s next phase of growth.
This role is based in our New Orleans Headquarters 5 days a week.
Key Responsibilities
KREWE believes in providing an inclusive workplace where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without discrimination or retaliation because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable local, state, or federal law.
KREWE is an independent, high-fashion eyewear brand rooted in the vibrant culture and boundless creativity of our hometown, New Orleans - and now proudly headquartered in both New Orleans and New York City. Since our launch in 2013, KREWE has grown into a dynamic brand celebrated for its distinctive, handcrafted sun and optical frames that reflect a deep commitment to quality, individuality, and design.
In 2022, we opened the doors to our NYC headquarters in the heart of the Meatpacking District, building a second home for the brand that brings New Orleans’ culture, creativity, and energy to one of the world’s most iconic design capitals. Our presence now spans brick-and-mortar boutiques, mobile retail concepts, and a thriving e-commerce platform - alongside distribution through premier independents and top national retailers. Celebrated for our unique approach to design, KREWE has cultivated a loyal following among style-conscious consumers and influential tastemakers.
As we continue to expand, we’re looking for passionate, driven, and innovative individuals to join our talented team. At KREWE our work is fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply mission-driven. Our people are high-performing and ambitious - not just about hitting goals, but about building something that’s original, culturally rooted and globally resonant. Every team member at KREWE has the opportunity to own their role and make a lasting impact. If this sounds like the right environment for you we invite you to apply below.
We are currently searching for a Director, Planning & Merchandising to build and lead our product planning function, connecting design, development, and sales across all channels. This role serves as the critical bridge between the studio and the market, translating insights into actionable assortment and sales plans to drive stronger product-market fit and smarter decision-making. We’re looking for someone with a deep understanding of eyewear planning, ideally with experience in luxury or fashion retail, who can establish the structure and processes that will enable KREWE’s next phase of growth.
This role is based in our New Orleans Headquarters 5 days a week.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and oversee integrated planning processes that align design, product development, and sales objectives across channels.
- Partner with FP&A and Finance to create data-driven forecasts, financial targets, and inventory strategies that support company goals.
- Lead assortment and sales planning, ensuring each channel, Retail, E-commerce, Wholesale, Event/Corporate Gifting, and Online Discount, has clear ownership and tailored product strategies.
- Establish a disposition model to optimize end-of-life and markdown strategies across channels.
- Collaborate with the Studio to provide upstream insights that inform design and development priorities and downstream validation through sales performance.
- Define and structure the future planning organization, identifying capabilities and talent needs to scale the function.
- Partner closely with Wholesale and Sales leaders to inform buys, channel forecasts, and product flow.
- Monitor performance against plan and adjust strategies in real time to improve margin, turnover, and sell-through.
- 7–10 years of experience in merchandise, assortment, or financial planning, with at least 3 years in eyewear, fashion, or accessories.
- Proven track record of building or evolving a planning function that connects design, product, and sales.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience partnering cross-functionally with finance, product, and sales.
- Comfortable leading through ambiguity, able to define processes and structure in a growing, creative organization.
- Proficiency with planning systems and data tools (e.g., Excel, NetSuite, ERP/MRP systems).
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence across creative and commercial teams.
- Competitive wage
- Group health plans: health, vision and dental insurance
- Welfare benefits: life, ad&d, supplemental voluntary coverage
- FSA Plan & HSA Program
- 401(K) Investment Options
- Adoption Assistance, EAP, Commuter Benefits
- Paid Parental Leave
- Quarterly Cultural Spend
- Ongoing Training and Development, an Educational Allowance
- 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off accrual
- KREWE employee quarterly frame allowance (of course!)
KREWE believes in providing an inclusive workplace where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without discrimination or retaliation because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable local, state, or federal law.
