Principal Product Line Manager, Women's Footwear

This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs.

About the role

The SOREL Principal Product Line Manager owns the Women’s category as a “voice of confidence” within the footwear creation engine. You lead and inspire with the aim of delivering functional and distinct product solutions to consumers around the world. You will join an invigorated creation engine, curating and managing key women’s products through an authentic SOREL lens. This position manages multiple projects with unique distribution needs each season and leads by example of respect, clear communication, timely decision-making, accountability, and a triad-centered way of working. You will work to brief category-specific products to the triad and drive to target costs and margin targets. You have a keen understanding of footwear materials and build, and a sharp product eye required in design reviews and prototype reviews. You will work with your product management team to share insights, socialize ideas, and work together under clear brand strategy as you own the expertise of your dedicated category.

Responsibilities

• Achieve set target margins at a product and category level, working alongside design and development.
• Assist in proofing product line needs including sales tools such as catalogs, components, hang tags, Point of Purchase (P.O.P), packaging, and label/logo information.
• Spearhead preparation for key milestone meetings, collaborating with your product management team to build compelling and accurate presentations.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with merchandising, sales, marketing, and planning to help facilitate on-time and on-target product launches.
• Assist in the product preparation process for key retailers, internal stakeholders, and sales representatives.
• Drive seasonal product briefs in accordance with brand, category, and strategy.
• Manage and maintain inputs to system data with timeliness and accuracy.
• Apply consumer pulse, trend information, and analytical inputs to drive a vision that brings life and innovation to the women’s category.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource, providing ongoing category product input to merchandising and creation partners.
• Present to internal and external key stakeholders.
• Travel domestically and globally more than 20% of the year.

Requirements

• BS or master’s degree or applicable experience in Business, Product Management, Product Development, or a related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in product management or product development.
• 8+ years of current experience in the apparel, outdoor, or fashion industry.
• Strong knowledge of global go-to-market (GTM) processes, QT manufacturing, and operations capabilities.
• Experience working with offshore factories and knowledge of apparel manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage a team in high workflow, high-pressure environments.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and strong time-management skills respecting seasonal product calendars and cross-functional collaboration needs.

Skills

• Excellent presentation and people management skills.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency.
• Strong and proven interpersonal skills for building relationships with internal and external partners.
• High level of leadership and management skills including strategic thinking, communication, problem-solving, negotiation, people development, technical design, and process management.
• Ability to partner to achieve goals despite barriers or difficulties; actively works to overcome obstacles or changing strategies.

Benefits

• 401k plan with a generous company match.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and health savings account.
• Assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services).
• Free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services (EAP+).
• Extensive wellness benefits.
• Employee discounts.
• Generous time off program.

Schedule

Hybrid role based out of headquarters near Portland, Oregon. Current expectation is four days per week onsite, subject to change based on business needs.