PLM I (Running)

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

$100,000 - $110,000 a year