| Location: Seattle, WASHINGTON |
| Experience: 10 years |
| Rate: N/A (Full-Time) |
Job Description
As a key team member of the Product Development group, the Product Manager will manage the core OR category of Government Apparel Accessories. The Product Manager brings a track record in managing a successful business and proven experience in strategic sales and business planning.
Join our growing team and be a part of a family with passion for adventure. Outdoor Research offers great benefits and a fun work environment. Oversee all aspects of the Outdoor Research cut and sew manufacturing operation. Assist in the development and execution of cut and sew production plans and defined quality and safety standards. Supervise staff of department leaders, and maintain close coordination with materials purchasing, and Scheduling, and Product Development to ensure concise alignment with expected manufacturing outputs.
We are searching for someone like us:
• Passionate about the Human Powered Adventure
• Creating an environment where people are valued and respected
• Building the Outdoor Research community through dialogue and inclusion
• Committed to community involvement, environment stewardship and sustainability
• Relentlessly striving to get better at everything we do
• Fun is at the heart of what we do |
The Product Manager will be responsible for:
• Executing the design and development of technical, innovative and technologically enhanced products that meet the needs of OR’s customers and end users.
• Delivering products that drive company sales and profits.
• Demonstrating dynamic, visible and inspirational leadership to positively impact business initiatives, direction, and vision for team and peers.
• Managing and assessing business results, profit & loss and executing key initiatives.
The Product Manager’s key deliverables are:
• Manage the merchandising and design process for assigned product lines to meet established sales and margin targets.
• Develop, implement, and monitor processes to ensure timely completion in accordance with the product development calendar for each season.
• Effectively manage the product development process by communicating concepts, filtering input, and setting line direction.
• Partner with Sales, Retail Customers, and Athletes to ensure that new product development meets market needs.
• Develop a seasonal range plan that delivers against the category objectives for sales, gross margin, SKU productivity, and brand image.
• Create/communicate a clear and actionable design briefs for all new styles based on sales potential, market trends, and category positioning parameters.
• Approve all product and material costing.
• Create and approve accuracy of all product copy used for marketing and communications purposes.
• Present product lines at preview meetings, key preline appointments and sales meetings.
• Partner with Operations to coordinate product development with Asian suppliers.
• Direct the sourcing, selection and testing of all new fabrications.
• Coordinate field and lab testing of all new products to validate functionality / durability and value for intended use
• Manage budgets to meet corporate financial plans.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of Design Engineer.
• Manage SKU efficiency to targeted goals.
Critical Partnerships:
Designer:
• Issue design brief.
• Approve new designs against brief.
• Coordinate and agree on fabrication, color direction, trim development.
Design Engineer/ Pattern Makers:
• Brief on fit and construction requirements.
• Communicate sizing, fabrication, trim, and sample requirements in accordance with seasonal development calendar.
• Communicate/approve all raw material or feature changes made during the development process.
• Participate in all fit reviews.
Sample Sewers:
• Give direction on sewing construction, featuring, and fit of all in-house samples and feature mock-ups.
• Prioritize daily work against seasonal development timeline.
Purchasing:
• Approve final product costs.
• Coordinate on planned factory allocation.
• Supply any technical or new vendor information needed to realise samples or bulk production.
• Approve all quality or material specification exceptions occurring in sample or bulk production.
• Develop/agree on a plan for disposal of excess fabrics.
Marketing:
• Proof read for accuracy all product copy used in trade / consumer communication tools.
• Brief and approve the development of all on-product hangtags or labelling.
Sales:
• Validate the target feature formula, retail pricing, and preliminary forecast estimates throughout the design/development process.
• Coordinate on key account previews, and direct the developments of any key account special make orders.
Experience:
• Minimum 10 years work experience in a related position.
• 6+ years in management in the outdoor industry preferred.
• Strong understanding of apparel merchandising and sales.
• Experience in managing a diverse and creative group of individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and inspire a broad range of individuals to work toward a common goal.
• Must have a track record in managing and developing procedures, implementing key sales initiatives and executing processes.
Skills:
• Product management or apparel development skills.
• Commercial negotiation skills.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to understand and interpret a financial statement, and the key performance indicators (KPI’s) that drive business growth and profitability.
• Thorough understanding of technical outdoor equipment featuring and user requirements.
• Detailed knowledge of North American, Asian, and European suppliers for technical fabrications.
• Extensive knowledge of Asian manufacturing vendors.
• Thorough knowledge of Europe and North America technical outdoor equipment market.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate.
• Fluent in English.
Personal Attributes:
• Organized, good head for numbers.
• Energetic and enthusiastic.
• Pragmatic, tenacious, with attention to detail.
• Self-starter.
• Problem solver.
• Dedicated to getting the job done, but interested in having fun as well.
• Able to work and communicate in a culturally diverse environment
• Ability to adhere to deadlines
Requirements:
• Available for 20-30% travel within the US and Asia.
• Interviewing, hiring, and training employees.
• Planning, assigning and directing work.
• Appraising performance rewarding and disciplining employees.
• Addressing complaints and resolving problems.
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