Kids Product Manager - BATA

Bata Group; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bata Group is seeking a Product Manager for Kids footwear based in Amsterdam to own end-to-end product lifecycle from line planning to post-season review. You will translate consumer insights into commercially successful assortments, ensuring on-time delivery, cost targets, and brand alignment with the Unreasonably Good Shoe philosophy.

The role requires 8-15 years in product management, a deep understanding of kids’ fit and safety standards, and collaboration with Design, Development, Sourcing,

Qualifications

• 8-15 years of experience in product management, ideally in kids footwear or lifestyle categories.
• Proven experience managing categories end-to-end.
• Strong understanding of kids' fit, comfort, safety standards, materials, and quality expectations.
• Solid grounding in range planning, pricing inputs, margin awareness, and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned kids footwear categories from line planning through launch and post-season review.
• Execute range architecture, including carryovers, seasonal newness, and entry-to-premium price tiers.
• Create clear, well-structured product briefs based on kids' and parents' insights, age/size segmentation, fit and safety requirements.
• Partner with Design to deliver strong look, touch & feel, proportion, material choices, and age-appropriate colourways.
• Work with Development and Sourcing to manage cost targets, margin guardrails, fit integrity, quality standards, and compliance with children's product safety regulations.
• Work closely with local markets to guarantee that local needs are reflected, while keeping a strong global identity.
• Provide input into pricing and RRP strategy within the defined kids footwear architecture.
• Manage product lifecycle management, including SKU rationalization, refresh cadence, and simplification.
• Support development of seasonal consumer narratives and storytelling for kids launches.
• Track in-market performance and translate insights into future seasons.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Merchandising, and Commercial teams to support go-to-market execution.

Skills

Product management

Kids footwear

Cross-functional collaboration

Range planning

Execution

Job description

Bata Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers and retailers of quality footwear. A global concern with more than 30,000 employees, 24 production facilities, over 5,000 stores in more than 70 countries across the globe, Bata has been providing the best shoes at the best prices, backed by unparalleled service, for 120 years.

Since its founding in 1894 by Thomas Bata, the company has consistently demonstrated its commitment to responsible and innovative business models in the belief that capital is not just money, buildings, or technology, but, more importantly, people, knowledge, and core values. This visionary approach has enabled the company to meet each new challenge with creativity and foresight, while earning the trust and confidence of customers, employees, and the communities in which it does business.

Today, Bata's pioneering decentralized production system, featuring semi-autonomous regional facilities guided by three regional business units, allows the company to quickly adapt to changes in the marketplace and seize potential growth opportunities. It also continues Bata's long tradition of being sensitive to cultural and national differences and enables it to proudly function as a local company in every country it serves.

Bata Brand SA

Bata is the leading international company in the footwear market and is present on five continents. The different continents are represented by five business units. Each business unit is organized according to the specificities of each country. Bata Global headquarters are based out of Avenue d'Ouchy 61, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Description of the Role

Reporting to the Director of Collection Merchandising – Kids, the Product Manager Kids holds end-to-end accountability for assigned kids footwear categories within Bata, from line planning and range architecture through seasonal launch and post-season review.

The role is hands-on and detail-oriented, translating the brand's product strategy and consumer insight into commercially successful, well-executed assortments. The Product Manager Kids is responsible for the full product lifecycle of their categories, ensuring products are delivered on time, on cost, and on brand, in alignment with the "Unreasonably Good Shoe" philosophy.

The scope of responsibility includes:

• Kids Footwear Category Management – end-to-end execution
• Range Architecture & Seasonal Planning
• Pricing Inputs & Margin Awareness
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration (Design, Development, Sourcing, Marketing)

The Product Manager Kids ensures strong alignment between consumer insights, brand intent, product portfolio, pricing architecture, and go-to-market execution to deliver consistent, commercially sound seasonal results.

The Product Manager – Kids plays a key role in ensuring Bata's kids footwear consistently delivers on the brand promise of being unreasonably good—combining comfort, fit, safety, design, and value. This role turns strategy into product excellence at a day-to-day execution level.

Key Responsibilities

• Own assigned kids footwear categories from line planning through launch and post-season review.
• Execute range architecture, including carryovers, seasonal newness, and entry-to-premium price tiers.
• Create clear, well-structured product briefs based on kids' and parents' insights, age/size segmentation, fit and safety requirements, and usage occasions.
• Partner closely with Design to deliver strong look, touch & feel, proportion, material choices, and playful, age-appropriate colourways.
• Work with Development and Sourcing to manage cost targets, margin guardrails, fit integrity, quality standards, and compliance with children's product safety regulations.
• Work closely with local markets to guarantee that local needs are reflected, while keeping a strong global identity.
• Provide input into pricing and RRP strategy within the defined kids footwear architecture.
• Manage product lifecycle management, including SKU rationalization, refresh cadence, and simplification.
• Support development of seasonal consumer narratives and storytelling for kids launches.
• Track in-market performance (sell-through, returns, fit feedback, consumer and parent response) and translate insights into future seasons.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Merchandising, and Commercial teams to support go-to-market execution.

Reporting

• Director of Collection Merchandising Kids – Bata (direct)

Work Experience

The ideal candidate brings:

• 8-15 years of experience in product management, ideally in kids footwear or lifestyle categories.
• Proven experience managing categories or sub-categories end-to-end.
• Strong understanding of kids' fit, comfort, safety standards, materials, and quality expectations.
• Solid grounding in range planning, pricing inputs, margin awareness, and lifecycle management.
• Highly organized, execution-focused, and detail-driven.
• Strong cross-functional collaborator with clear communication skills.
• Able to balance consumer insight with commercial and operational realities.

Conditions of employment

• On-roll & on-site

Location

• Amsterdam, Netherlands

Why Work at BATA

People are at the heart of what we do. From the consumers and customers we serve to the communities in which we operate, to the employees who drive our success year after year. Through our CSR programs, volunteering, and philanthropy, we deepen our connections with the company, our colleagues, and the communities in which we operate.

What We Offer

Competitive salary, generous benefits and a respect for work-life balance form the foundation of what we offer at Bata. We then go the extra mile to train and equip our employees to make the most of the opportunities available to them. We provide industry-leading development programs to foster a Culture of teamwork, Integrity and Excellence in everything we do. As a global brand, we value diversity and mobility, encouraging our people to pursue positions in new regions that will help them grow professionally and personally. Our multicultural leadership team is representative of this commitment and our brand's international footprint. Joining Bata means joining a company where you can have an impact, where you can shape the future of a global footwear organization.