Back to Jobs

General Manager, S&S Brands

S&S Activewear
Bolingbrook, IL
JOIN US AND "CREATE YOUR VISION"

About Us

S&S Activewear is a leading North American, tech-enabled specialty distributor of imprintable apparel, including t-shirts, fleece, athletic wear, headwear, workwear, scrubs and accessories. We pride ourselves on being the “critical link” that enables our 100+ brand partners such as Adidas, Columbia and Gildan to reach our hyper-fragmented base of customers, comprised of apparel decorators, eRetailers and promotional products distributors that embellish apparel items for diverse end consumer use cases (e.g., everyday wear, concerts, fitness attire, life events, team sports, etc.). At S&S, we differentiate in the market through a customer service focus, strategic product portfolio, world-class distribution infrastructure, a collaborative growth culture and a relentless focus on technology and innovation.

Our success has compounded since the Company’s humble beginnings in 1988 as a regional t-shirt distributor to a leading, multi-billion-dollar value-added distribution platform that drives market penetration for our suppliers while enabling the growth, operations and fulfillment for a diverse range of customers across channels and business sizes. We strive to be the apparel distributor of choice while inspiring and fostering growth for customers, employees and suppliers through our core values of service, deep relationships, innovation, continuous improvement and accountability.

About The Role

As S&S Activewear accelerates its Value Creation Plan (VCP), we are creating a senior leadership role to drive our Owned Brands strategy and business. The General Manager, S&S Brands, will drive the transformation of our Owned Brands portfolio into a differentiated, margin-accretive engine of growth. The GM, S&S Brands will serve as the strategic and operational lead across brand development, category expansion, commercial integration and supply chain with a mandate to build, scale, and win with Owned Brands.

Full-Time, Exempt

What You Will Do

  • Own P&L and deliver the Value Creation Plan for S&S Brands Business Unit
  • Collaborate effectively with Commercial Leadership Team to leverage their expertise and resources to grow and steward the Owned Brands portfolio
  • Position Owned Brands within overall category strategy while addressing whitespace in under penetrated categories
  • Ensure Owned Brands are complementary, not competitive with our strategic brand supplier partners
  • Develop and execute the end-to-end strategy including brand architecture, marketing, product development, supply chain, and go-to-market.
  • Lead brand positioning and equity building efforts for existing Owned Brands with a focus on innovation, storytelling, and differentiation.
  • Drive Owned Brands innovation agenda to penetrate new categories through brand development, licensing and acquisition
  • Serve as the lead thought partner to extended Commercial team on pricing, positioning, and channel strategy for owned brands.
  • Be the champion for Owned Brands within the commercial organization, ensuring alignment to company strategy and accelerated growth
  • Manage supply chain strategy and execution for Owned Brands, ensuring agility, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Manage strategic supplier and vendor relationships for Owned Brands
  • Lead Owned Brands sustainability strategy

What Success Looks Like

  • Achieve Value Creation Plan Objectives for Owned Brands
  • Revitalized and expanded Owned Brand portfolio with highly differentiated propositions that provide unique value to our customers and end users
  • Successful penetration of Owned Brands into high-potential categories
  • Improved supply chain performance and cost structure for owned brands.
  • Strong cross-functional alignment across Commercial and Supply Chain.

What We Are Looking For

  • 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in brand management, category strategy, or general management within consumer goods, apparel, or retail sectors
  • Proven success owning P&L and delivering growth through brand portfolio transformation and commercial integration
  • Deep expertise in brand architecture, product development, and go-to-market strategy, with a track record of building differentiated, margin-accretive brands
  • Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify whitespace opportunities and drive category expansion
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams across marketing, supply chain, and commercial functions to align on brand strategy and execution
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex vendor and supplier relationships, including sourcing, licensing, and sustainability initiatives
  • Exceptional communication and influence skills, with the ability to serve as a thought partner to senior leadership and champion Owned Brands across the organization
  • Experience navigating brand partnerships, ensuring complementary positioning alongside strategic supplier brands
  • Track record of driving innovation, including new brand development, licensing, and acquisition strategies
  • Strong operational acumen, including supply chain optimization, cost-efficiency, and sustainability leadership
  • Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen.

Working Environment

This job operates in a professional office and home office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

S&S Activewear welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to creating a diverse culture and supporting human growth. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We conduct business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer, and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons. S&S participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. This job offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.
Posted 2025-11-12

Recommended Jobs

Regional Sales Representative, AgRev - Harrisburg

AGCO
Harrisburg, IL

Do you want to help solve the world's most pressing challenges? Feeding the world's growing population and slowing climate change are two of the world's greatest challenges. AGCO is a part of the sol…

View Details
Posted 2025-09-24

AEL Helicopter Pilot - HAA

Air Evac Lifeteam
Quincy, IL

Job Description:   We invite you to join a team of highly skilled emergency medical experts, pilots and mechanics! Our mission of providing care to the world at a moment's notice is at the heart of e…

View Details
Posted 2025-10-25

Caregiver

European Service at Home, Inc
Rockford, IL

Hiring Immediately in the Rockford, IL area! Be There to Care for a Person When They Need You Most As a Caregiver, you will provide an essential role, as a personal caretaker to your wonderful…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-06

Bellman- Sports Illustrated Chicago Resort

Wyndham Destinations
Illinois

We Put the World on Vacation Travel + Leisure Co. is the world’s leading vacation ownership and travel membership company, with a dynamic and growing portfolio of resort, travel club, and lifestyl…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-07

Project Accountant

CKL Engineers
Chicago, IL

PROJECT ACCOUNTANT At CKL Engineers, LLC, we are shaping the future of civil engineering by combining technical excellence with innovation and inclusion. For over 15 years, CKL has delivered truste…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-13

Receptionist - Pet Resort Front Desk | Part-time

Tailchasers
Lake Barrington, IL

Join Our Team at Tailchasers Barrington Pet Resort! Are you a vibrant, adept, and dependable individual looking for a rewarding role? Look no further than Tailchasers Barrington Pet Resort! With a …

View Details
Posted 2025-08-07

Open Call Hiring Event (Wednesday, 11/19)!

The Alinea Group
Chicago, IL

The Alinea Group is Hiring! Join Our Open Call Hiring Event! &##128293; Exciting Job Opportunities at The Alinea Group! &##128293; Are you passionate about the hospitality industry and looking to…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-12

Director/Teacher

Amazing Grace Daycare Center INC
Chicago, IL

Job Description Job Description JOB DESCRIPTION: Plan and carry out daily program designed to meet the physical and developmental needs of children . 

View Details
Posted 2025-08-30

Clinical Application Specialist- MR (National-Travel)

Philips
Chicago, IL

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title Clinical Application Specialist- MR (National-Travel) Job Description Clinical Application Specialist- MR (National-Travel) Allow your passion for improving…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-06

Speech Language Pathologist

EDU Healthcare
Chicago Ridge, IL

Job Description Job Description EDU Healthcare is hiring a school-based onsite Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to work with our district partners for a short-term assignment starting in Novem…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-06