THE NORTH FACE: PRODUCT MANAGER (Mountain Athletics)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Product Line Manager is responsible for overseeing assigned category’s planning and product creation process from concept through commercialization. This position is charged with ownership of assigned marketplace, execution of business plans, sales and margin accountability, calendar adherence, and cross functional leadership. The Product Line Manager owns relevant information on consumer and competitors and assists the Sr. Product Line Manager and Product Director in identifying trends, business strategy plans and analysis. Establish control-related standards and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ownership of assigned product lines through product concept, design, and development process.  Owns business and assists in enhancing category growth.
• Develop clear seasonal product briefs that deliver on brand vision, growth and financial targets. Product briefs should include materials and feature sets that commiserate with MSRP's.
• Lead the product development cycle including identifying potential issues, solutions for process challenges and to execute sample/prototype production for assigned categories.
• Creates and maintains, with assigned PLC, all product category data including:  hang tags, workbooks, line lists, and CAD books ensuring all information is completed accurately and within specified timelines.
• Research marketplace on an ongoing basis, tracking competitive price points, product features, market place trends. Ensure information is distributed to teams in a timely, clear, and concise manner.
• Examine, report and track success and failure of the company's products on the marketplace, and determine reasons for success or failure on a weekly basis.  Use insights to inform product line direction.
• Foster and maintain collaborative intradepartmental relationships with all functional areas exhibiting leadership. Be seen as the product and category expert.
• Effective presentation and interpersonal communication skills. Skilled at presenting to internal and external audiences. Experience presenting to senior business leaders. Inform presentations through research, data points and depth of knowledge of product categories.
• Attends key accounts meetings, trade shows, market visits for presentations, relationship building and trend/marketplace research.

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

• 3 - 7 years of related professional experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in apparel, operations, business or related field.
• Demonstrable successes in managing an apparel line.
• Must be detail oriented but able to present the big picture.
• Works effectively within a team.
• Influential in building positive partnerships with cross functional teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of apparel and/or footwear construction, materials/fabrics.
• Understands materials, fit, function, and end use requirements.
• Forward thinking and strategic skills.
• Strong retail math skills.
• Must be able to handle multiple priorities in efficient manner.
• Contributions in assisting management of a category.
• Experience in merchandising/buying.
• Travel required: 10%