International Brands Group (IBG) is a global leader in design, development, sourcing and sales of branded sports, outdoor, uniform and safety footwear.
At IBG we are hungry for success, entrepreneurial in how we conduct business, trusted by our partners and we have lots of fun along the way! Our team comes from all corners of the globe, each with different backgrounds and experiences, offering their own unique set of skills. It is our people that make the business and grow our brands.
Currently, IBG is looking for a Junior Footwear Product Manager working cross-brands with HI-TEC, MAGNUM, TOTECTORS and 4SYS. In this role, you work closely with the Creative Director, Product Director and the lead designer. The Junior Product Manager is a pivotal role in the creation and delivery of our Apparel and Footwear product lines. It operates at the intersection of multiple functions, supporting the team in executing product strategy and seasonal collections.
The position requires an adaptable individual capable of working at different levels, creating the line plan, and executing the seasonal product creation in collaboration with the team – Design, Innovation, Development, Materials and Sourcing.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage the seasonal product lifecycle of the specified categories:
· Development of the main collection guided by the market (through product
briefs from customers and licensees) and trend (guided by the Creative
Director)
· Development and update of seasonal line lists, design briefs, line
architecture, key looks and other relevant seasonal documents
throughout the seasonal calendar
· Maintain in-depth understanding of historical performance of the
assigned product line (volume units, key styles, markets, regions,
channels, etc) in order to make informed lifecycle decisions
· Line efficiency including style/SKU count targets and levels of
continuation/ newness
· Jointly accountable for achieving seasonal margin targets. Recommend
SRPs and setting target FOB costs in line with agreed expectations
· Oversee the creation of the line collection through key calendar milestones
– design reviews, material selection, prototype reviews and sample review
meetings, ensuring decisions are logged and followed-up
· Facilitate the development process encompassing sample execution,
achieving design aesthetic, quality, margin, and timeline goals
Essential duties:
· Track and manage all PR sample requests
· Collaborate with the Design team and global partners to organize
sample requests
· Work with global teams to communicate seasonal design and/or
development changes
· Track and manage all stages of development, market, commercialization
samples
· Partner with Material teams to maintain component library
· Work closely with the team to organize development sample review
meetings and maintain seasonal timeline calendar
· Create and manage all master lists each season from conception through
production to make sure designs are executed and produced correctly
· Track, ship and manage all packages inbound and outbound, and ensure
they are unpacked and distributed accordingly
· Partner with the Merchandising team and make sure all the collection
information being shared is accurate and up to date with design intent
and execution
· Share product information and specs with the Marketing team, and ensure
information is reflected accurately
Work with the Creative Director on briefing marketing and merchandising teams on seasonal priorities pre-GTM. The final goal is to:
· Articulate the seasonal strategy with clarity and impact
· Brief the marketing content teams to create assets that support the seasonal
strategy
· Brief the creation of impactful product features and benefits
communications, ensuring they are accurate, relevant and
consumer-friendly
· Create and deliver inspirational product presentations, ensuring
a smooth and accurate transfer of information to regional merchandising
and commercial teams
Collaborate with Design and Operation teams:
· Ensure the team (Design, Development, Sourcing, Materials) is updated and
clear on priorities for the assigned category
REQUIREMENTS
Experience and skills:
· 3+ years product management experience, preferably in sporting goods or
related categories (basic knowledge of footwear is a plus)
· Project management skills, able to multi-task and work simultaneously on
multiple projects and seasons
· Ability to identify patterns and trends and the attitude turn this into actions
· Understands consumer behaviour and how to translate their needs into
product benefits
· Sense of trend, design and development in the sport or lifestyle industry
· Analytical skills and comfortable working with numbers when required
· Good balance of attention to detail and big picture thinking
· Influencing skills with strong presentation and communication
· Good sense of intercultural differences
· Fluent in English
Key competencies:
· Self-motivated and resilient to drive initiatives from beginning to end
· Solution driven and results oriented
· Commercially aware and driven to exceed expectations
· Flexible and adaptable to work with local and global teams
· Credible and show expertise in their area
· Curious and great at asking questions, seeking to understand first
· Quick learner in a constantly evolving category
· A great team player
YOUR BENEFITS:
· Join a progressive, young and creative team in a flat organization where
individuals can make a difference
· International clients
· Comfortable office environment near beautiful Naarden-Vesting
· Christmas parties and other celebratory events and drinks
· Collective health insurance contribution by the employer and pension
provision (depending on contract)
· A competitive salary
Interested, or know anyone that might fit the bill? Send your resume and motivation to Suzanne van Tiel at svt@internationalbg.com.