Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Associate Product Line Manager - UGG Slippers (Manufacturing)
With guidance from senior product management team, the Associate Product Line Manager (APLM) acts as a central communication channel and facilitator between regional omnichannel merchandising and distribution teams, marketing teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver globally relevant and brand-right product, reflective of our consumers' needs. The APLM will leverage in-depth knowledge of the UGG brand DNA, competitive positioning, marketplace trends, consumer segmentation, and real-time sales information and insights to make recommendations on category product strategy and line assortment plans. Combining art and science, the APLM partners closely with product Creation team, to develop “the right” products at the right time, maximizing UGG's expression in the market, ensuring brand synergy and connection across categories, and optimizing each SKU to meet our customers' expectations, as well as our financial goals.
The APLM will manage assigned category product line throughout the full product life cycle, including stages of pre-planning, business briefing, confirmation, presentation, pricing and profitability; final execution, and global product line/business integration. The APLM will take ownership for area of responsibility with regard to category performance including responsibility for sales and margin targets, product execution, and evaluation and implementation of new opportunities for the global omnichannel consumer. Works collaboratively and cross-functionally as an influential team member to deliver strategic direction for the product category. Supports the product architecture process and communication within global teams to ensure consumer needs are met.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Product lifecycle management: assist with strategy for merchandise line plan; research and inew and existing global business/product opportunities; research and provide reporting and analysis of market trends for consumer and account opportunities; build the product line to support objectives of the global category needs across channels to meet financial goals
* Makes recommendations for overall strategy for assigned product line using inputs from seasonal inspiration, trend, sales history & market research. Analyze global performance creating concept briefs with end user product feature/benefit and cost structure. Work directly with global product creation team in assuring product cost and integrity exists in the collections to build an accurate range plan that optimizes sku efficiency.
* Works with global product creation team to ensure product segment is in line with brand DNA and competitive set. Under direction of senior product management leadership, creates merchandising stories around color, materials to ensure commercial product flow.
* Work with design, development, sales and global marketing teams to create best-in-class product and manage the global product line through full life cycle
* Make recommendations on opportunities with new and carryover product selection and drive the merchandising matrix of assigned category. Assist in identifying strategic opportunities for global category growth to meet financial goals.
* Adhere to line creation process guidelines, including calendar, product price, segmentation, sku count, adoption, and all major meeting milestones.
* Compile and distill all regional input to the global product process for the design and development of market right product. Responsible for compiling the regional input while focusing on both global and local needs.
* Responsible for the compilation of a seasonal business brief and line plan for category. Act as the key contact between sales, brand planning, marketing, merchandising, product design, and global product development communicating regional insights for merchandising stories, color, trend, material, etc.
* Ensure alignment with Go to Market process through partnership with Design, Development, Marketing, Sales, and Omnichannel counterparts. Serve as leading contributor/presenter at major milestones, sales launch, and other presentation needs.
* Manage product through the development timeline to assure it is on track to achieve targets and goals for each brief; ensure constant partnership with design and development counterparts
* Evolve the line architecture to match business growth goals and objectives. Evaluate and build toward opportunities, while maintaining current business. Analyze new and carry/over- and establishes product life cycles.
* Stay current on industry trends and knowledge by attending select trade shows, retail store and account visits, market visits, partnership with consumer insights team, and connection with customers
* lShared accountability with product creation team for data accuracy in product information systems.
* Collaborate with legal team to protect brand integrity and drive product naming process.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
*LI-DC