TITLE: Dakine - Product Line Manager

DESCRIPTION
The Product Line Manager is an innovative product leader who executes the seasonal business plan and delivers a global product line that speaks to the consumer, drives sales and increases margin and market share with a strategic assortment of performance product. The Product Line Manager brings global market expertise meeting brand strategy and customer needs and ensures timely execution of each stage in the process. The Product Line Manager cultivates market data, competitive landscape and brand positioning with strong presentation skills to inspire the cross functional internal and external teams.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Innovation
• Be the expert in consumer identification and competitive insights.
• Analyze product performance, market conditions and feedback from consumers and retailers continuously; update assortments and identify opportunities based on analysis as well as expert knowledge of the current and potential market place.
• Monitor sales data, competitor and market information for expert knowledge and to effectively manage and grow the assorted categories.
• Implement the product strategy, create line plans, product briefs and achieve a balanced assortment focused on brand strategy, opportunity and identified growth areas.
• Responsible for meeting gross IMU margin goals and delivery against financial targets by setting target costs and evaluating detail cost sheets along with the key role of cost negotiations with vendor partners.
• Establish key items, setting of price points, SKU productivity and forecast against margin goals and product specifications.
• Engage Sales and Marketing teams to drive success and understanding of product direction for strong go to market strategy and focus on region, channel and delivery.

Operations & Results
• Partner cross functionally to ensure execution to business fundamentals and to calendar deliverables for timely delivery of goods supporting sales growth, and attainment of margin goals.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with Product Development, Design and Tech Design to ensure exceptional execution of products by engagin in sourcing, development, fit, material selections, performance feature decisions.
• Flow product innovations, seasonal stories and highlights to marketing teams for cross departmental knowledge and external bran communication.
• Responsible for maintaining PLM system with all relevant product details including style and cost sheet set up.
• Present line to supervisors; actively participate in review meetings, including edits, CAD board reviews, pre-costing, line reviews, adoption and post-season reviews

Customers & Relationships
• Communicate and follow-up with internal and external constituents globally, including customers, suppliers, vendors and licensors, where applicable; assist with problem solving as needed
• Lead key account meetings, build and maintain relationships with key buyers, participate in line presentation meetings and continuously nurture those relationships.
• Maintain relationships with collaborators and competitors; attend trade shows and industry events, as needed

Leadership & Teams
• Contribute positively to team dynamic and manage up where necessary
• Cultivate strong relationships
• Attract, develop, manage and retain talent
• Monitor and evaluate performance of individuals: continuous coaching

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
• Understanding of a global performance brand; seasonal assortment planning, merchandising, manufacturing, supply chain
• Experience in technical apparel in snow, mountain bike, surf and lifestyle categories
• Ability to deliver presentations to large groups
• Strong knowledge of costing process, including evaluation and negotiations
• Strong understanding of the design and development process as well as garment construction
• Exceptional analytical and data presentation skills
• Superior organizational and communication skills; some experience managing and coaching teams
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail oriented, meticulous and positive, entrepreneurial drive
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 4-7 years experience in technical performance product line management
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, Adobe Suite
• Proficiency in FlexPLM preferred
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, up to 20% of the year