Lifestyle Category Sr. Director

Gibson Inc., the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sound of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for over 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, Gibson Amps, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals.

Job Summary

The Lifestyle Category Sr Director has a global responsibility for leading, developing, and executing strategies to drive revenue growth for the Gibson Lifestyle Category, with a strong emphasis on Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) channels and non-music industry apparel and fashion retail channels. This includes expanding Gibson Lifestyle merchandise presence, maximizing the potential of Gibson’s iconic brands, and leveraging category development, distribution model design, go-to-market (GTM) execution, marketing, and operational excellence to achieve profitable growth. Cross-functional leadership is essential for success, requiring alignment with product, sales, margin, distribution, and other business-related goals. This role presents a unique opportunity to significantly impact Gibson's growth and success. This role is Gibson HQ/Nashville based.

Essential Functions

• Category Strategy & Business Planning: Develop and implement strategies for product categories that align with Gibson’s brand vision and business goals. Ensure business plans are executed with a focus on revenue growth and margin optimization.
• Product Merchandising & Price Management: Lead the merchandising process ensuring price management and product assortments are aligned with market demand, margin targets, and consumer trends.
• Strategic GTM Model Assessment: Evaluate the entire business path from product ideation to consumer delivery, identifying the most profitable and efficient approach to penetrate the market, i.e. owned or 3rd party models.
• Marketing Collaboration: Partner with the marketing team to create compelling marketing strategies that drive consumer engagement across multiple platforms and maximize visibility for lifestyle products.
• Business Insights & Analytics: Leverage data and analytics to track key business metrics, evaluate product performance, and provide insights to drive profitable strategic decisions.
• Operations Collaboration: Work closely with operations teams to ensure compliance, logistics, and supply chain operations support category and business objectives.
• I2P, GTM & Commercial Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute effective GTM strategies and commercial initiatives that ensure successful product launches and market penetration.
• Supervisory Function: To include managing Product Management and 3rd party creative agency, distributor/agent and/or licensee
• Special Projects: Lead and/or participate in various cross-functional projects to support business objectives and improve processes.
  
  

Required Skills/Abilities

• Leadership: Provides transformational leadership, makes decisive and sometimes tough choices, initiates and generates activity, and fosters a culture of execution excellence. Formulates strategies and drives their successful implementation. Demonstrates strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to manage P&L and budgets effectively.
• Delivering Results: Is results-driven, meets customer expectations, and focuses on business needs. Operates effectively within a dynamic matrix organization, takes ownership of results, and demonstrates the ability to prioritize and pivot quickly.
• Business Development & Analytics: Identifies growth opportunities, maximizes business development, and demonstrates financial awareness. Utilizes data to track performance and drive results.
• Interacting & Building Relationships: Navigates the organization to build effective relationships with global and local staff. Encourages open communication, builds trust, and promotes a team environment.
• Communication: Communicates clearly, prepares presentations skillfully, and presents information in an engaging, structured, and concise manner.
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• 10-15 years of relevant experience in business unit, category, or product division leadership roles, with P&L responsibility.
• Proven track record in leading international category teams from product ideation through to consumer delivery.
• Experience in dynamic, premium-branded consumer goods industries (apparel, fashion, lifestyle, streetwear, sporting goods preferred).
• Strong knowledge of product merchandising, distribution partnerships, and GTM strategies.
• Familiarity with working in a matrix organization, leading cross-functional teams, and navigating multi-stakeholder environments.
• Post-secondary education in Business/Marketing or a related field (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree).
  
  

Essential Knowledge

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and relevant business tools.
• Strong retail acumen, including a deep understanding of retail math, merchandising metrics, and DTC channel management.
• Excellent brand and marketing skills, with a focus on shopper, recommender, and influencer marketing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to manage business insights and performance metrics.
  
  

Personal Qualities

• An inspirational leader with high energy and enthusiasm.
• Passion for lifestyle trends and music (preferred).
• Ability to remain objective, make good decisions, and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a positive, team-oriented attitude.
  
  

Travel Requirements

• This position is mostly office based, but may involve travel
  
  

Physical Demands

• Light lifting may be required
  
  

We celebrate diversity and Gibson Brands, Inc is an Equal Opportunity employer.