PLM I (Running)

Job description

# Product Line Manager I – Running Accessories ### Description Our client is seeking a driven **Product Line Manager I** to join their team in **Torrance, California**. This individual will serve as a consumer product expert for key assigned categories within **Running Accessories**. They will help identify and translate valuable consumer insights and opportunities from all channels to support seasonal range plans and revenue, margin, and inventory goals. The Product Line Manager I will be responsible for maintaining necessary and timely product, competitor, and market information in a manner that enables the Product team to effectively manage the collection and business on a day-to-day basis. ### What You’ll Do: - Develop strong expertise in assigned product categories, including an understanding of North American and international markets, consumers, competition, and the retail landscape. - Support the development and execution of product strategies through market research, historical analysis, regional insights, retail opportunities, and competitive analysis. - Create seasonal product briefs that define product positioning, pricing, product and packaging attributes, consumer insights, competitor analysis, regional relevance, and brand relevance. - Partner with Design and Development to create briefs supporting new product and innovation opportunities. - Analyze market segmentation to identify relevant product opportunities that meet consumer needs and support company revenue and margin goals. - Work within product calendar timelines to ensure on-time completion of key dates and deliverables. - Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners including Design, Development, Operations, Finance, and Sales. - Conduct ongoing consumer, athlete, competitor, and market research to identify product and technology trends and deepen understanding of the target consumer. - Participate in planning and delivering presentations for key customers, brand partners, senior management, sales meetings, and tradeshows. - Support product awareness and sell-through through the development of marketing and packaging briefs, catalogs, showroom merchandising standards, and in-store displays. - Develop product training tools for the Sales team, including tech sheets, videos, and supporting materials. - Support forecasting for new and current product assortments across category, style, and SKU levels by region and key customer. - Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Sales, and Operations Planning teams to support forecasting and business planning. - Provide regular and accurate reporting on existing business to identify opportunities for incremental sales and growth. - Other duties as assigned. ### What to Bring: - **3–4 years of consumer product, product marketing, brand marketing, and/or sporting goods industry experience preferred**, with demonstrated success working in a fast-paced, results-driven environment. - Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field. - Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to influence across teams. - Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, customer relations, and presentation skills. - Strong analytical skills and comfort working with product and business data. - Understanding of product lifecycle management. - Knowledge of the broader consumer and global retail landscape. - Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven organization. - Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities. - Sense of urgency and independent initiative toward accomplishing objectives. - Ability to communicate insights and recommendations to management. - Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. ### Additionally: - Ability to travel up to 20% of the time. - Detail-oriented, self-driven, and highly motivated. - Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to use tact and diplomacy when communicating across all levels. - Effective time-management skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. - This position operates in a brand-driven, consumer- and customer-focused environment within the sporting goods industry. The Product Line Manager I should understand the needs and wants of consumers and support category business plans in fulfilling the needs of the athlete. ### What We Offer: - Competitive salary + benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k match, life insurance, pet insurance) - Company gym with access to a personal trainer - On-site kitchen - Paid Parental Leave - Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) - Responsible Time Off (aka Unlimited Vacation) - 13 company holidays - Professional development workshops - Employee product discounts on selected brands