Head Product Line Management Footwear & Apparel

PUMA SE; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

PUMA SE in Bengaluru seeks an experienced product leader to drive the India RCC PLM function, aligning product strategy with market needs and regional business goals. You will steer cross-functional teams across merchandising, design, sourcing, and development to deliver compelling collections for the INDIA market.

You will partner with senior stakeholders, manage budgets and KPIs, and mentor a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in business development, sales, marketing, or merchandising.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate with senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of sport, fashion, and retail market trends.
• Excellent English communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the assigned product team and set strategic priorities.
• Manage RCC INDIA PLM team including hiring and yearly performance reviews.
• Provide strategic oversight of stakeholder management.
• Coordinate with merchandising, design and development to align assortment with market needs.
• Drive reporting and KPI management across the organization.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required for key account meetings and market research.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Market analysis

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Team mentoring

English proficiency

Negotiation skills

Visionary mindset

Education

Graduate studies in Business Administration or related field

Tools

MS Office

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 BE YOU to let our individual talent and experience shine. Applying for a job at PUMA is easy and all genders are welcome.

YOUR MISSION

Key Objectives

• Leading and driving the assigned product team, Set strategic priorities for the organization, allocation resources and guiding decision-making to achieve long-term success
• Manage, support, motivate, coordinate and develop the assigned RCC INDIA PLM team, including hiring, yearly performance appraisal process, goal setting, budget planning, redundancies
• Provide strategic oversight of organization-wide stakeholder management and advocate for stakeholder interests
• Close cooperating with the teams of merchandising, design and development (PUMA Group Sourcing), regions and other Stakeholder to ensure that the final collection is reflecting the market needs as well as align the apparel & footwear assortment to ensure concept and product coordination across all product segments
• Foster cross functional transparent and diplomatic communication, encourage open dialogue, set up clear communication channels, led by example
• Drive organizational strategy development and implementation, anticipating future trends and challenges
• Be responsible that product strategy is delivered and followed through across all business segments (Be the owner of the pre-seasonal alignment
• Work with Product Teams to develop unique and relevant collection-based INDIA Market Needs
• Responsible for product costing and costing impact on product quality, margin and net sales to achieve set goals within the assigned product category
• Presenting strategy- and product lines to national/international partners and key accounts
• Represent your Team as spokesperson at internal and external meeting
• Implement and oversee accurate reporting and KPI management
• Drive a close cooperation with Inline Teams, other RCCs and other product areas (Accessories) to ensure strong collaboration and 360 design concepts when needed
• Provide strategic input and related support to Sr Director RCC APAC/INDIA/ EMEA
• International and domestic travel as required for Key Account meetings, market research, trend and inspiration trips, consumer insights, and factories/development centers.

YOUR TALENT

Your Talent

• All genders are welcome to apply
• Graduate studies in Business Administration, International Business, Sports Management or similar with a focus on Marketing/ Textile/ Fashion/ Sports
• Minimum 15 years experience in the field of Business Development, Sales, Marketing and Merchandising with top tier international sports company
• Strong leadership skills including the ability to motivate and mentor other Leaders (at least 5+ years of leadership experience) cross functionally. High initiative, high energy, passionate, decisive, eye for detail, confident.
• Ability to convincingly present
• Highly flexible and agile to manage cross functional team as well as report to Sr Director in different location
• Awareness of agile working methods to foster collaboration with key stakeholders
• Proficiency and refinement in all stages of presentation
• Excellent Market and Retail Knowledge
• Excellent knowledge and understanding for the sport industry, consumer trends as well as the fashion/lifestyle market
• Broad knowledge of all aspects of product development
• Developed product sense and taste level as well as strong awareness and understanding of Sportstyle INDIA consumer and marketplace
• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
• Excellent MS-Office skills (Excel, Word, Power Point)
• Very good analytical skills
• Very good verbal communication skills as well as excellent English knowledge (written and spoken)
• A visionary team player.

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.