PD Manager - Outdoor/Active Apparel

Return to Product Development

Filled 12/2023

Create and manage a merchandising strategy for a significant business division (including Private Brand and supporting National Brands).

·        Lead the cross–functional team (Merchandise Planning, Marketing, Product Management, Sourcing, etc.) to meet and exceed business goals.

·        Develop a compelling product assortment that maximizes achievement of Division/Department Financial Goals:

Develop divisional business plans

Choose appropriate vendors and styles for external brand assortments

Ensure visual impact and appeal

Determine IMU and initial price for each item

Develop initial marketing and promotional plans

·        Collaborate with Merchandise Planners on the Forecasting and Re-forecasting processes (including product delivery and exit strategies).

·        Demonstrate an understanding of the Target Customer and their activity pyramids; obtain customer feedback from multiple sources.

·        Develop, collaborate on and communicate merchandise strategies for materials and technologies that affect multiple divisions.

·        Lead the development of Assistant with the goal of producing the next generation of successful Product Managers.

 

Develop product strategies that enhance customer perception, strategy and maximize sales and profit

·        Concept brand-appropriate product in partnership with the Design Team.

·        Manage the product development process from a Product Brief delivered to design through to the successful execution of dynamic product assortments executed in the store.  Each brief should detail timelines, feature set, competitive product, fit direction, customer requirements/use, and overall vision for execution at the point of sale.

·        Coordinate all development with a thorough testing regimen (raw material, finished product, field testing).

·        Lead the process of gathering and evaluating quantitative and qualitative data regarding customer perception of product and merchandise strategies
·        Conduct and communicate results and recommendations from competitive and market analysis on product/assortment and trends.

 

Manage business operations with the goal of improving efficiencies to enhance profit and customer value.

·        Manage the buying process for PL and national brand vendors, ensuring: best price/terms, availability, product continuity and innovation.

·        Prepare and manage the Line Review Process for seasonal presentation of merchandise assortment.

·        Manage the time and action calendar; communicate problems/opportunities to all internal and external partners, including Stores, Marketing and Visual Merchandising.

·        Manage vendor relationships; communicate with vendor/sourcing to ensure standards are met.

·        Collaborate with Field Management and Training to deliver effective product training and launch new product.