Head of Lifestyle Products

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world famous brand with offices across the globe. Within Fender Musical Instruments Corporation’s ("FMIC") Licensing team, we transform Fender’s iconic musical heritage into a cultural brand that resonates with new generations while honoring our legendary legacy.

An American icon, Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence extending beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument, it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is looking for a culturally in-tune, trend-driven Head of Lifestyle Products to lead the development of lifestyle products that blend Fender’s iconic heritage with contemporary relevance. This role isn’t just about selling products—it’s about building culture. From limited-edition drops to globally relevant apparel and accessories, you will reimagine how fans, artists, and new generations live in Fender. You'll lead product strategy, design execution, and cultural positioning for lifestyle categories across apparel, collectibles, home goods, and more.

You’ll own the product lifecycle from ideation through commercialization—leading trend analysis, seasonal strategy, product development, and go-to-market execution. Ideal candidates bring a mix of fashion awareness, e-commerce know-how, financial acumen, and cross-functional leadership.

The right candidate will be equal parts creative strategist, trend forecaster, brand builder, and commercial operator—someone who can bridge Fender’s legendary heritage with the sensibilities of Gen Z, music subcultures, and style narratives born at the intersection of sound, identity, and cultural relevance.

This role may be based in the US or in the UK.

Essential Functions:

Trend Forecasting & Line Planning

• Identify and analyze macro and micro trends across fashion, lifestyle, and music culture to drive product concepts.
• Write seasonal briefs and build product line plans informed by market shifts, consumer insights, and Fender’s brand position.
• Pitch new product opportunities with business rationale, mood boards, and competitive context.

Product Development Ownership

• Own the full lifestyle product lifecycle—from concept through design, sourcing, sampling, approvals, and delivery.
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors/factories to ensure products meet quality standards, cost targets, and brand alignment.
• Oversee sourcing and sample development calendars to ensure seasonal readiness and timely delivery.

Creative & Brand Alignment

• Collaborate with Creative, Design, and Brand Marketing to ensure products reflect Fender’s visual identity and cultural story.
• Use Fender’s artist relationships, archives, and design history to inspire product narratives and limited-edition capsules.

E-Commerce & Sell-Through Strategy

• Collaborate with digital merchandising, Amazon channel leads, and eCommerce teams to ensure products are optimized for conversion and sales.
• Monitor product performance, pricing, and inventory across Fender.com and Amazon—adjusting strategy to maximize ROI.
• Work with content, SEO, and marketing to support launches and optimize online storytelling.

Cross-Functional & Global Coordination

• Align with merchandising, planning, product operations, and marketing across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas to ensure global product relevance and sell-in.
• Participate in GTM reviews and seasonal planning meetings, contributing lifestyle insight and product storytelling.
• Maintain PLM systems, manage product data, and ensure internal alignment across calendars and execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Management, Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in lifestyle or apparel product development at a brand with strong cultural relevance.
• Demonstrated success creating products that perform in DTC channels, including Amazon and Shopify or similar platforms, preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in vendor management and strong negotiation skills.
• Deep knowledge of fashion and lifestyle trends, with the ability to translate them into on-brand, commercially viable products.
• Experience managing vendors and sourcing across global markets.
• Familiarity with PLM systems and GTM processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Trend forecasting, line planning, and seasonal product strategy
• Cross-functional product lifecycle management
• Strong commercial acumen—balancing creativity with performance
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders across various levels
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Understanding of eCommerce merchandising, Amazon marketplace, and digital GTM
• Excellent project management and vendor coordination
• Passion for music, style, and Fender’s cultural influence

About Fender Musical Instruments:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Presonus®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, Bigsby®, and Groove Tubes®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com. FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

Fender is required by law in certain jurisdictions to include a pay scale in the job posting for this position.  “Pay scale” means the salary or hourly wage range that Fender reasonably expects to pay for this position; it is neither a promise nor a guarantee of the compensation that the successful candidate will receive.  The pay scale for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that Fender considers in making compensation decisions, including, without limitation: skill set, experience, and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.  If this is a remote position, the pay scale disclosed herein may be adjusted further based upon the applicable geographic differential associated with the location from which the successful candidate will work.  Please note that it is not typical for a Fender employee to be at or near the top of the pay scale for their role – especially as a new hire – and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.  Subject to the foregoing, the current pay scale for this position is $$125,000. USD (92,000.00 GBP) - $150,000.00 USD (110,903 GBP)