Senior Product Manager Athlete Concept (m/f/d) - BU Outdoor

<p>PURPOSE</p> <p> </p> <p>Recognize sport, elite athlete and consumer insights </p> <p>Heavily influence category athlete concept direction and drive its implementation</p> <p>Reduce strategies to tactical plans</p> <p>Steer a cross-functional product creation team to deliver the category vision</p> <p>Lead and develop the category team</p> <p> </p> <p>KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES</p> <ul> <li>Manage a virtual cross functional team and develop their functional and social skills using available resources to create a top performing team </li> <li>Set and manage strategic category athlete concept direction; ensure cross-functional alignment </li> <li>Identify new business opportunities to drive innovation and / or commerciality</li> <li>Develop an "all for one attitude" within the team to ensure smooth cooperation with interlinked departments </li> <li>Have full understanding of the product creation process to drive it forward </li> <li>Be a role model for all team members in regards to strategic direction and the product creation process </li> <li>Show leadership through living the brand values while fostering a performance culture </li> <li>Manage and develop optimum relationship with cross-functional teams and with interlinked departments to enable an efficient product creation process  </li> <li>Challenge the cross-functional team to ensure creation of industry leading products</li> <li>Analyse and report category business performance to ensure achievement of category KPIs </li> <li>Positively represent the category both internally and externally  </li> <li>Work with the CtC (Concept to Consumer), Brand Marketing, Innovation, Athlete Service and Sports Marketing teams throughout the season to define strategic marketing direction </li> <li>Be a competent partner for category, sponsored athletes and ranging discussions with markets and retailers </li> <li>Define projects to optimize category performance and steer to conclusion </li> </ul> <p>Build an understanding of product information systems and the interlinking functions – clarity on respective timelines </p> <p>   </p> <p>KEY RELATIONSHIPS</p> <ul> <li>Steer a strong relationship and ensure constant dialogue/feedback with <ul> <li>Your category across all functions, other categories and creation centers (if appl.)</li> <li>Cross-functional team (Sports Marketing, Athlete Services, Innovation, Design, Development, CtC, Materials, Costing, Planning)</li> <li>Markets and relevant key retailers</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Manage a team to create industry leading products for sponsored athletes</li> <li>Inspire, coach and lead; set framework for performance and growth</li> <li>In-depth knowledge of respective product category </li> <li>Advanced analytical skills, be solution driven and result oriented, strong business orientation</li> <li>Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment</li> <li>Strong communication skills</li> <li>Lateral thinking and challenge status quo</li> <li>Profound consumer, market and retail knowledge especially in regards to different needs of different countries/ regions</li> <li>Step up to conflicts and work towards a diplomatic solution</li> <li>Execute change management</li> <li>Cooperate effectively to maintain and develop trustful relationships</li> <li>Ability to travel</li> <li>Passion for sports</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>College degree, preferably in marketing/business /textile/fashion</li> <li>Minimum of 5 years Product Marketing experience with APP, FTW, ACC or comparable background</li> <li>3+ years managing and developing direct reports</li> <li>Strong leadership skills </li> <li>Experience in trade or sales is helpful</li> <li>Fluent in English </li> <li>PC skills (MS Office programs)</li> </ul>