Sr. Product Line Manager Performance Apparel & Swim Gear

SUMMARY:
As our Senior Product Line Manager Performance Apparel & Gear, you will lead the product journey for two key categories from initial concept to finished goods. Blending the art of consumer-led storytelling with the science of data-driven innovation, you will oversee market research, specification, rigorous testing, and commercialization. Partnering closely with the Senior Director of Performance, you will drive the execution of products that perfectly align with the brand design vision, financial targets, and long-term brand strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Planning & Assortment Building
• End-to-End Ownership: Accountable for the entire life cycle of the Performance Apparel and Swim Gear product categories from concept to finished goods.
• Merchandising Strategy: Owns seasonal line plans, product briefs, and roadmaps to build profitable assortments that meet business objectives and financial targets.
• Market Insights: Conducts global market landscape research on a seasonal basis to identify opportunities for Nike Swim to compete and create value for consumers, retailers, and distributors. Owns all athlete touchpoints and analysis of feedback to ensure product concepts have been validated by the target consumer.
• Solve global athlete / consumer needs. Mine athlete insights, listen, filter/simplify then translate to a clear executable plan. Continue to edit and perfect to elevate the product through athlete / consumer validation.
• Product Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Calendar Execution: Collaborates with cross-functional partners to ensure key product management milestones are completed within the seasonal end-to-end calendar.
• Workflow Management: Maintains efficient communication flow and process operations across all functional areas, including Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Sales, Sourcing, and Marketing.
• Vendor Communications: Manages and supports daily Swim Gear development communication with liaison offices and outside vendors.
• Development Meetings: Leads weekly development meetings for Performance Apparel and Gear to cover off against strategic initiatives, provide project tracking updates, recaps, and action plans.
• Leads all category presentations to internal & external partners, distributors, and key accounts.
• Attend weekly fittings to ensure development tracks to product briefs, and aligns with consumer needs / brand vision.
• Process & Sample Management
• PLM System Integrity: Ensures the Associate Performance Merchandiser maintains the accuracy and integrity of all styles throughout the development cycle within the PLM system.
• Sample Management: Oversees the sample management process, including sample tracking, organization, invoicing, budget monitoring, and ensuring the timely return of loaned samples.
• Leads third-party prototyping requests, evaluating sample accuracy against specifications and consumer insights to ensure quality and viability prior to tooling sign-off.
• Technical & Graphic Specifications
• Product Execution: Collaborates with the Gear Product Developer to provide comments and approvals for all new development to ensure accurate production and manufacturability.
• Graphic & Print Direction: Owns graphic and print asset direction for all badge/borrow items. Works closely with apparel Design and Print/Pattern teams to create detailed construction detail pages and ensures accurate vendor execution of all seasonal print & graphics.
• Digital Tools: Partners with Design to create CADs and 3D renderings for gear tech sheets and sales tools, ensuring a cohesive seasonal print, color, and graphic story across apparel and gear.
• Testing, Compliance & Packaging
• Testing & Compliance: Collaborates with the Gear Product Developer and key stakeholders across Product Integrity, Social Compliance, and Customer Safety to meet seasonal testing requirements for both product and packaging.
• Packaging Briefs: Leads the cross-functional collaboration with Product Development and Product Integrity, and owns the packaging briefs and submission process.
• Oversees Associate Merchandiser tasks related to packaging design proofing, ensuring all packaging layouts align with brand standards and production timelines.
• Travel
• Responsible for global travel / attendance of relevant trade shows, to assist with overall product R&D.

SKILLS:

• This position requires proficiency in the following software programs:
• Proficient in Google suite, Adobe Suite, and Product Lifecycle Management Software (PLM)
• Candidates must be highly-organized, detail-oriented, team-players; with the ability to work well within a small team environment.
• Must demonstrate product acuity & aesthetic acumen, a passion for product and high taste level to deliver product excellence through fit, style, material, make and finishing.
• Ability to confidently negotiate with, and influence, key cross-functional stakeholders.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Product Design, Sports Product Management, Merchandising; or a related field.
• 5-7 years of related experience in Apparel / Hardgoods / Accessories. Swim Industry experience is a plus.
• Must have the ability to present, articulate and influence product strategy and product details to internal and external audiences.