Director Product Line Management Sportstyle Apparel

YOUR MISSION

• Managing market- and competitor studies on an international level hand in hand with Merchandising organization as well as analyzing forecasts and sales analyses
• Together with Business Unit management developing and assuring detailed collection strategies on seasonal basis and under consideration of company as well as Business Unit strategies
• Responsible for developing a conceptual assortment plan (CAP) on base of the Merchandising plan (MPL) as well as fulfillment of range planning parameters (Category/Segments/Styles/Price Points/DC/Customers/product flow/color merchandising)
• Close cooperating with the teams of merchandising, design and development (PUMA Group Sourcing), regions and other Stakeholder ensuring that the final collection reflects market needs as well as aligning on Head of level concerned apparel, footwear and accessories assortment to ensure a concept and product coordination across all product segments
• Leading and driving the assigned product category through the whole product development and creation process based on the Go-to-Market calendar
• Responsible for product costing and costing impact on product quality, margin and net sales to achieve set goals within the assigned product category
• Presenting the strategy- and product lines to international partners and key accounts as well as supervise the preparation of international meetings
• Final checking of the instore date
• Regular feedback to Senior Management, especially BU Management, on category development
• Collaborate in planning the whole sell-in support (catalogue etc.) as well as in coordinating the product equipment and packaging
• Ensuring an accurate and timeless set up as well as maintenance of all lines and all required information
• Executing business trips to target markets as well as supplier visits on a frequent basis
• Functional and disciplinary leading and developing of the Product Management team in the particular BU
• Collaboration with external partner (assets and/or Co-Labs)

YOUR TALENT

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or Finance or related experience
• Minimum 10 years international apparel product management experience with top tier international sports company, with 3+ years management experience required.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Credible knowledge of sportswear/fashion consumer trends and Apparel market/retail dynamics in different markets
• General knowledge of international retail environment
• Awareness of agile working methods to foster collaboration with key stakeholders in design/development to capture fast lead times
• Strong leadership skills. High initiative, high energy, passionate, decisive, eye for detail, confident.
• Strong analytical, overall business orientation
• Ability to frame and defend an alternative position
• Ability to convincingly present category knowledge using PowerPoint and spreadsheets
• Up to 30% domestic and international travel required, including regular travel to PUMA’s HQ in Herzogenaurach, Germany.