Director of Digital Merchandising, Chubbies Shorts
Executive Summary
Rich Byrne is the Director of Digital Merchandising at Chubbies Shorts, a leading men's casual apparel brand known for its focus on shorts and related products. Based in Chicago, IL, Byrne has extensive experience in digital merchandising and has played a significant leadership role in Chubbies’ digital strategy and online customer engagement. He maintains a large professional network with 500+ connections on LinkedIn and is recognized within the company and by industry peers for his leadership and expertise in digital commerce.
Professional Experience and Role
- Current Position: Director of Digital Merchandising
- Company: Chubbies Shorts
- Location: Chicago, IL (confirmed across multiple sources; also a Denver, CO reference)
- Tenure/Promotion: Promoted to Director as of September 2022, following progressive advancement within the organization.
- Core Responsibilities:
- Leads the digital merchandising function, overseeing strategy, planning, and execution for all digital product displays and customer experiences on Chubbies’ eCommerce channels.
- Started at Chubbies running the email channel, demonstrating robust hands-on experience in email marketing, digital marketing, and customer retention strategies. This background suggests strong cross-functional collaboration with marketing and content teams.
- Partners with brand marketing, visual merchandising, and influencer marketing leadership, as evidenced by frequent professional interactions and endorsements from peers such as Ashley Spencer (Director of Marketing).
Industry Reputation and Network
- Recognized by the Chubbies executive and founding team (including co-founders Tom Montgomery and Kyle Hency), indicating a high level of trust and visibility within the organization.
- Endorsed and congratulated for recent promotion by numerous senior professionals across retail and digital commerce, including leaders at The North Face and Notion, signifying broad, cross-industry professional recognition.
- Frequently posts and shares opportunities within Chubbies, particularly in email, SMS, and digital marketing, reflecting ongoing engagement with trends in eCommerce marketing and a talent for team-building and recruitment.
Professional Interests and Focus Areas
- Digital Merchandising Excellence: Deep expertise in optimizing online product assortment, visual merchandising, and customer conversion paths.
- Omnichannel Marketing: Hands-on experience driving digital sales via coordinated campaigns (email, SMS, influencer marketing).
- Team Leadership: Focus on building and scaling high-performing digital and marketing teams; strong advocate for internal team growth and development.
- Brand Loyalty and Growth: Demonstrates commitment to company culture and brand evolution, highlighted by personal references to "growing with this brand that I love".
Chubbies Shorts – Company Context & Initiatives
- Market Position: Chubbies Shorts specializes in men's shorts, swimwear, and related apparel, with a strong direct-to-consumer eCommerce presence and active marketing campaigns.
- Key Promotions: Regularly runs online sales, including clearance events and bundled offers on shorts and swimwear, emphasizing a price-driven, volume-oriented sales approach.
- Work Environment: Known for a dynamic and growth-focused marketing team, positioning the brand as innovative in digital retail.
Actionable Insights
- Rich Byrne’s role encompasses both digital merchandising and a significant marketing overlap, presenting opportunities for engagement on solutions or partnerships that drive site conversion, data-driven product optimization, customer engagement, and digital campaign performance.
- Professional interests align with tools and services supporting eCommerce efficiency, customer segmentation, AI-driven product recommendations, and team development/training.
- Network and influence within Chubbies and broader apparel/eCommerce sectors suggest potential as a champion or decision-maker for new digital initiatives.
Additional Details
- LinkedIn Profile: [Rich Byrne – LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-byrne-a6873349)
- Engagement: Frequently interacts on LinkedIn and shares company news, job openings, and digital marketing insights with a network of nearly 2,000 followers.
- Reputation: Noted for positive team culture, adaptability, and a consistent record of advancement within Chubbies Shorts.
Rich Byrne represents a strategic leader within Chubbies Shorts, with significant influence over digital strategy and a proven track record of driving eCommerce initiatives. His background and current responsibilities make him a critical point of contact for any external or internal efforts aimed at enhancing digital merchandising and customer engagement at Chubbies.
