Apparel Product Manager [AQ-14388]

About the role

Aquent is partnering with a leading global sportswear organization dedicated to pushing the boundaries of athletic innovation and design. This role will shape the future of athletic wear by leading complex apparel programs from concept to consumer, driving collaboration across diverse teams and external partners to ensure high standards of quality and performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product management process for intricate apparel programs, ensuring seamless execution.
• Drive product development efforts by coordinating across multiple internal teams, key stakeholders, and external partners.
• Navigate the complexities of products with numerous moving parts, including various styles, brand elements, graphic applications, collaborative ventures, and performance-driven apparel.
• Facilitate impactful meetings, presentations, and working sessions with both internal teams and external collaborators.
• Clearly articulate product status, priorities, potential risks, and critical decisions to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Forge strong partnerships with design, merchandising, sourcing, manufacturing, development, and other functional teams to propel projects forward efficiently.
• Diligently track timelines, dependencies, deliverables, and key milestones to guarantee successful product execution.
• Cultivate robust relationships and leverage your influence to align stakeholders with diverse priorities toward common goals.
• Provide essential structure and clear direction within a rapidly evolving environment where priorities and requirements can shift quickly.
• Guide diverse groups through complex challenges, leading to informed decisions and outstanding product outcomes.

Requirements

• 5+ years of dedicated experience in apparel product management, product development, product creation, or a closely related function.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex apparel products and navigating their entire lifecycle.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proven presentation and meeting facilitation experience, driving productive discussions and decisions.
• Direct experience collaborating with external partners, vendors, suppliers, or other outside stakeholders.
• Highly organized, with a proven ability to effectively manage multiple workstreams, timelines, and dependencies simultaneously.
• Track record of success working within highly cross-functional environments, adept at navigating inter-departmental dynamics.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and guide stakeholders effectively, even without direct authority.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience with collaborative ventures, particularly within the apparel or footwear industry.
• Background in athletic wear, performance apparel, footwear, team uniforms, or licensed products.
• Experience supporting professional sports or sports-related product programs.
• Experience working with branding elements, graphics, licensing, or managing complex brand requirements.
• Experience at a major apparel, footwear, or consumer brand.
• Strong leadership presence and a history of guiding diverse groups toward alignment and successful execution.

About the Client

A global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, focusing on innovation, performance, and marketing. The company partners with top athletes and teams, emphasizing sustainability and digital advancements to enhance the sports experience.