Product Line Manager – Running Apparel & Accesories

General Position Description:

Product excellence is at the heart of Brooks success. Achieving a leadership position in the marketplace requires innovative thinking and the ability to inspire all product creation shareholders. The PLM is responsible for the seasonal direction of the apparel and accessories collections, providing leadership and merchandising expertise while monitoring the processes through on going interaction with internal and external cross functional teams. Reports to and works closely with Director of Merchandising. From brief to commercialization the PLM provides merchandising expertise with a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape. Managing the approval process for materials, fit and prototype sign off. Ensure key calendar milestones are met for on-time delivery and adoption of styles. Foster a collaborative work relationship with Sales, Operations, Marketing and Footwear counterparts.

Key Responsibilities:

Propose and brief seasonal assortment plan breadth, depth, price point, target cost, SKU/sales allocation for each category and concept for apparel and accessories around a strategy set by Director of Apparel Merchandising
Leading product line success from brief to range launch and commercialization. Benchmark and challenge all service and interlinked departments (Design, Operations, Development, Costing) to create industry leading product range.
Give clear, concise direction to design and development
Be an expert in consumer and market understanding (cultural drivers, consumer trends, competitive landscape, retail evolutions)
Present financial analysis of category trends that support overall product directives.
Creation of line plans which meet revenue and margin targets while optimizing global opportunities
Present and merchandise apparel and accessories lines to ensure an intuitive presentation of technologies and aesthetics.
Developing key domestic and international relationships for Brooks apparel through account meetings, pre-lines and Domestic and European sales meeting presentations.
Issue initial sales forecast and margin plan by category, collection, SKU, and Channel

Requirements for the position Include:

Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
Effective presentation skills and interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to conceive/create new ideas pertaining to product and process
Minimum three years experience in relevant product-related role
Strong Merchandising skills and thorough understanding of the product process
Strong business orientation, analytical aptitude, retail math and computer skills
Creativity and passion for product
Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint
Demonstrated leadership capability, including ability to motivate and mentor others within work group
Ability to travel up to 30% of time, including internationally
Experience with Illustrator and Photoshop is preferred