Purpose:

Develop (or Manage) the business strategy to achieve net sales, net margin, and SKU productivity for assigned category. Establish long-term goals and strategy for assigned category to ensure global brand vision and corporate objectives are met for the US Market.

Key Accountabilities:

• Analyzes the category, core consumer, key customers and market to ensure the constant evaluation and improvement of product.

• Build consumer network for consistent product feedback for future sell-in/sell-through including participation in consumer focus groups

• Assist in developing the marketing and product strategy of assigned category.

• Manage the range plan from product brief to commercialization and manage the process (Calendar, SKU´s, Amortization)

• Collaborate with Design, Development, Go-To-Market team and Accounts to ensure optimal range and products.

• Manages the product process and leverages category sourcing strategy to deliver new material and design innovation while meeting gross margin/ profitability objectives.

• Nurtures, guides and challenges cross functional departments to ensure product excellence in the market place (design, fabrics, prices, fits, etc)

• Creates annual strategic business plan/road map presented to licensees and the assigned business units.

• Support in presenting the Category and Range both internally and externally (Meetings, Launches, etc.)

• Create ideal merchandising plans, by color roll outs, launch dates, by channel, by accounts, showcased through retail floor plans.

• Assists in creating activation plans to drive authentic stories with Sports marketing and Brand marketing.

• Assists in implementing new supply chain solutions / end-to-end business models to obtain greater profit and cash flow, by channel, by key accounts.

• Analyzes and report category performance

• May manage a small team of personnel

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams

• Strong business acumen in channel distribution, net sales, margin, profit and inventory

• Ability to think merchandising across channels and accounts while in the creation phase

• Ability to provide product leadership, including ability to manage/mentor more junior resources

• Ability to work with and influence all levels of the organization

• Strong presentation and planning skills

• Good numerical skills with the ability to negotiate.

• Knowledge of footwear/apparel concepts in construction/development strongly preferred.

• Strong process and project management skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• A thorough understanding of consumer markets, specifically in the sporting goods industry

• Prior knowledge of taking product from conception through implementation preferred

Qualifications:

• Four year college or university, in Marketing/Business preferred

• Minimum four (4) years product marketing or related industry experience.

• Previous product creation experience in the sporting goods industry preferred.

• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree.

• International experience preferred.