Product Line Manager Apparel Performance

INTERSPORT Group; Bern; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

INTERSPORT Group is seeking a motivated Product Line Manager Apparel Performance to drive the development and success of our apparel range in the Performance category. You will manage SMU designs, create concepts, and align with Category Management, suppliers, and internal teams to meet strategic objectives.

You will conduct market research, plan milestones, and ensure timely delivery while maintaining data integrity.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of product management experience.
• Experience in apparel/footwear or sporting goods.
• Degree in business administration or marketing.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end product creation, including SMU designs.
• Develop concepts and range architecture within the category plan.
• Coordinate pricing strategies with management, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Conduct market and competitor research to inform briefs.
• Plan milestones and ensure timely product delivery.
• Maintain accurate data in systems to support decisions.
• Support GTM activities and showroom presence.
• Forecasting, order follow-up, and lifecycle management.
• Drive range efficiency through drops and lifecycle decisions.
• Collaborate with Performance team on analyses to shape concepts.
• Build strong relationships with national organizations to grow business.

Skills

Market knowledge

Relationship building

Product management

Communication

Sustainability

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Project management

Creativity

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration/marketing

Job description

Do you want to work at the Heart of Sport, at the pulse of the global sporting goods industry, with the leading sport brands in the world? Then you need to join INTERSPORT.

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Product Line Manager Apparel Performance to join the Private Label Brand team.

Key Objective

As a Product Line Manager Apparel, with a primary focus on the Performance category, your role is to strategically oversee and drive the development, launch, and success of our dedicated apparel product range. You will play a key part in meeting the needs of our customers and National Organizations (N/O), achieving our business objectives.

Your Tasks

• Independently manage the overall product creation process, including Special Make-Up (SMU) designs, for your designated area of responsibility
• Develop Product concepts and range architecture with a targeted competitive market minus RRP approach within the context of the category game plan and category range portfolio
• Coordinate cross-functional discussions on range architecture and pricing strategies with the Category Management team, external suppliers (N/O's), and internal departments to ensure alignment on crucial topics
• Conduct comprehensive market and competitor research, including benchmark analysis, to provide a strong foundation for strategic briefings and decision‑making processes. ("know who you go against, and who you play with")
• Prepare the planning and execution of key milestones during the product creation phase to ensure seamless operations and timely delivery
• Maintain accurate and timely system data management to support informed decision making and efficient process
• Ensure effective Go-to-Market (GTM) services and maintain a strong presence in showrooms to showcase products effectively
• Proactive SMS order check, forecast steering and order follow-up
• Drive range efficiency by managing range size through necessary drops and product lifecycle decisions
• Conduct regular business analyses, interpret findings, and translate insights into actionable product concept strategies and range architecture in collaboration with the Performance team
• Cultivate and nurture strong relationships with key N/O´s, driving business growth and ensuring customer (N/O) satisfaction through profound N/O knowledge and their strategic management

Your Profile

• Possess extensive market knowledge and experience in the sporting goods or lifestyle/footwear industry, encompassing competitive brands, retailers, and industry processes.
• Develop and maintain lasting relationships with your business counterparts.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of product management principles and processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills and the ability to convey information to various stakeholders.
• Integrating sustainability practices, ethical sourcing guidelines, and environmental considerations into product line strategies aligns with industry trends and stakeholder expectations for corporate social responsibility.
• Analytical skills and strategic thinking to drive product development and range planning
• Cultivate a results-driven approach with a keen focus on accomplishing commercial objectives and attaining profitability targets.
• Employ creative thinking and maintain awareness of trends to remain ahead of market benchmarks and competition.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently and prioritize tasks efficiently to ensure smooth operations.
• Innovate and think creatively to develop optimal solutions by exploring outside-the-box ideas.
• Demonstrates unwavering adaptability under pressure in international environments, efficiently managing workloads. Confident and reliable team player showcases independence and precision in tasks

Qualification and Experience

• Degree in business administration, marketing, or a relevant field
• Additional certifications or training in product management or related areas is a plus
• Previous experience minimum 3 years in product management, preferably in the apparel/footwear/hardgoods or Sporting goods industry.