Running Footwear Product Line Manager (17585-1)

Aquent is partnering with a globally recognized athletic brand, renowned for its innovation and dedication to performance. We are seeking a highly skilled Product Line Manager to join their dynamic team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of performance footwear. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute directly to the creation of products that empower athletes worldwide, translating consumer insights into tangible, impactful designs. Your expertise will be crucial in guiding product development from concept to launch, ensuring that every detail aligns with the brand's commitment to excellence and innovation.

About Our Client

Our client is a leading global sports and athletic brand, at the forefront of designing, developing, and marketing performance-driven products. They are dedicated to inspiring athletes and consumers through groundbreaking innovation and a deep understanding of sport. Joining this team means contributing to a legacy of excellence and working within a culture that champions creativity, collaboration, and a passion for pushing boundaries.

About the Role

As a Product Line Manager, you will be instrumental in driving the creation of innovative performance footwear. You will work within a collaborative environment, bringing together diverse teams to transform athlete and consumer insights into compelling product directions. This role offers a unique chance to influence the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept through final approval, ensuring that every product delivers on its promise of performance and consumer value. Your contributions will directly impact the brand's ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions to athletes globally.

What You'll Do

• Support multiple footwear product creation projects simultaneously, ensuring teams remain aligned through critical milestones and checkpoints.
• Partner closely with Product Management, Design, Technical Development, Merchandising, Marketing, and Testing teams to foster seamless collaboration.
• Guide the footwear creation process from initial brief through final product approval, maintaining a high standard of quality and innovation.
• Develop insightful and inspiring seasonal color, material, and graphic briefs that enhance the overall footwear line.
• Leverage athlete and consumer insights to identify key problems to solve, uncover product opportunities, and define benefits that resonate with consumers.
• Analyze consumer trends, competitive products, and market dynamics to inform strategic product decisions.
• Support consumer research and focus groups, translating findings into actionable product recommendations.
• Manage product information, data, samples, and key deliverables throughout the creation process, ensuring accuracy and organization.
• Prepare and deliver clear, compelling product presentations and high-level decks for cross-functional stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings and communicate updates, decisions, and next steps across upstream and downstream partners.
• Help ensure product teams meet key deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and organization.
• Contribute to compelling product storytelling that effectively connects performance, design, consumer needs, and market opportunity.

What We're Looking For (Required Skills & Experience)

• 8+ years of relevant professional experience, particularly in product management, product creation, consumer research, marketing research, or a related product function.
• Direct product management or product creation experience.
• Experience working with footwear, athletic products, sporting goods, retail, or consumer products.
• Strong understanding of cross-functional product development and the ability to work effectively with creative, technical, merchandising, and marketing teams.
• Experience developing high-level product presentations and decks using Keynote, PowerPoint, or comparable tools.
• Strong presentation, communication, and storytelling skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of partners.
• A collaborative, personable approach with a genuine interest in working as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 or comparable productivity tools.

Bonus Points (Nice-to-Have)

• Experience with running footwear.
• Expertise in color, material, and graphics development.
• Experience with athlete insights and consumer research specific to athletic products.
• Background in retail or seasonal product creation cycles.
• A genuine passion for running, sport, and athletic product innovation.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.