Senior Manager Product Excellence

PUMA SE; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

PUMA SE seeks an experienced Product Manager to translate strategy into BU-level and cross-functional execution for fit, performance, quality, and testing standards. You will lead creation and ongoing improvement of product standards, ensuring alignment across BUs and tools.

With 5–7 years in product management within apparel or sports brands, you will drive cross-functional projects, support innovation lifecycles, and coordinate sustainability efforts, while mentoring managers and collaborating

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in product management or apparel industry
• Degree in fashion management, business or related field; bachelor’s or master’s preferred
• Strong technical product expertise in development, pattern engineering, or materials
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills for data-driven decisions
• Ability to turn consumer/market insights into clear product strategies
• Excellent English, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Collaborative leadership with mentoring experience

Responsibilities

• Translate the Teamhead's strategy into BU-level and cross-functional execution frameworks
• Lead the creation and continuous improvement of product standards
• Drive cross-functional projects with PGS, BUs, SCM, and Innovation
• Support innovation strategy alignment across BUs
• Coordinate sustainability alignment across BUs and ensure product standards are mirrored in systems
• Identify complexity-reduction opportunities and streamline processes and tools
• Provide guidance to Managers and Junior Managers and mentor teams

Skills

Product management

Materials knowledge

Analytical thinking

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Degree in fashion management

Bachelor’s or master’s preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

SPEED & SPIRIT is what we look for in our candidates, defined by some simple values that inspire us to BE DRIVEN in our performance, BE VIBRANT in our sporting legacy, BE TOGETHER in our team spirit, and to let our individual talent and experience shine.

YOUR MISSION

• Translate the Teamhead's strategy into BU-level and cross-functional execution frameworks for fit, performance, quality, and testing standards
• Lead the creation and continuous improvement of product standards, ensuring that all BUs apply consistent guidelines and tools
• Drive cross-functional projects with PGS, BUs, SCM, and Innovation for material efficiency, economies of scale, trims, labeling, and packaging harmonization
• Support innovation strategy alignment, ensuring BUs apply innovation lifecycle and access principles consistently
• Coordinate sustainability alignment across BUs, ensuring Product Excellence contributes to brand standards and reporting
• Identify complexity-reduction opportunities and lead initiatives that simplify processes, tools, and product creation steps
• Ensure operational collaboration with Product Data & System Excellence, guaranteeing all physical product standards are mirrored in system logic and data structures
• Provide guidance and direction to Managers and Junior Managers, including functional mentoring and workload steering

YOUR TALENT

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in product management or the global apparel and sporting goods industry, ideally with a leading sports brand
• Degree in fashion management, business administration, marketing, sports management, or a related field; bachelor’s or master’s preferred
• Strong technical product expertise, ideally in development, pattern engineering, or materials, combined with broad knowledge of sportswear markets, competitors, product value, range offerings, retail, industry dynamics, and consumer trends
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen to solve complex, non-standard challenges through innovative approaches and data-driven decisions, supported by advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Passion for sportswear and ability to turn consumer and market insights into impactful product strategies and clear expert guidance
• Excellent English, communication, and negotiation skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at all levels
• Collaborative, influential leadership with experience guiding colleagues and, where applicable, up to two entry- or mid-level employees
• Ability to execute complex tasks and strategic initiatives independently, aligned with senior leadership direction, while demonstrating high energy, sound judgment, attention to detail, and confidence in decisions with functional impact

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination. At PUMA, every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity - no matter your background, identity, or experience.

To ensure our process stays true to these values, no automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions. Every decision is made by real people -with real judgment and accountability. We may use functions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out isolated organizational steps, such as scheduling interviews. These functions have no influence on decisions in the application process. We believe in creating spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and empowered to contribute authentically. Because at PUMA, whoever wants to play, can play.

PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in 120+ countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide. At PUMA, we are in constant pursuit of faster. That extends beyond our support of the fastest athletes in the world. We also work to be fast in how we adapt to and connect with the constantly changing world around us. Through innovative design, iconic footwear and apparel, and authentic partnerships, we aim to always push what's next in both sport and culture. PUMA supports over 21,000 employees across 120+ countries. The PUMA Group owns the brand PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.