Reporting to the VP of Product the Director of Product is responsible for leading end-to-end product creation and merchandising for the North American market across Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’ footwear. They will own seasonal line planning, assortment strategy, and product execution from concept through commercialization, while managing a Product Creation team of four.
Acting as the merchandising lead for the product line, this role brings together consumer insight, brand vision, and commercial strategy to create compelling assortments. The Senior Product Manager works closely with Design, Development, Sales, and Marketing to ensure products are not only built right, but also clearly positioned and brought to market with strong storytelling.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Product Creation & Merchandising Leadership (North America)
- Own North American product creation and merchandising across Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’ categories.
- Lead seasonal line planning, assortment architecture, SKU rationalization, and pricing strategy.
- Define seasonal product direction and briefs that align with brand vision, consumer needs, and business goals.
- Own the end-to-end product creation process, ensuring on-time delivery, margin targets, and commercial readiness.
- Balance innovation, core product, and commercial needs across the line.
Product Construction & Development
- Apply strong expertise in footwear construction, materials, fit, and manufacturing to guide product decisions.
- Partner closely with Design and Development to ensure products meet brand standards for comfort, durability, and performance.
- Collaborate with Sourcing and Development teams, including coordination with the organizations Asia-based development center, to manage costs, quality, and execution.
- Leverage experience across multiple footwear categories; Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’ exposure is a plus.
Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a Product Creation team of four, fostering accountability, collaboration, and growth.
- Set clear goals, manage workloads, and support professional development.
- Encourage a consumer-first, product-driven mindset across the team.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as the central product and merchandising partner to Design, Development, Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain.
- Work closely with Marketing to shape product positioning, key stories, naming, and seasonal narratives.
- Ensure alignment between product intent and go-to-market execution across channels.
- Partner with Sales to align assortments to channel needs and commercial strategies.
Sales & Line Presentations
- Lead seasonal sales meeting presentations, clearly communicating line strategy, product benefits, and key innovations.
- Bring the line to life through compelling storytelling rooted in consumer use, performance, and brand values.
- Incorporate feedback from sales and accounts into future seasonal plans.
Consumer & Market Insight
- Stay closely connected to the North American consumer through insights, trends, and competitive analysis.
- Use data and feedback to inform assortment decisions and future product opportunities.
- Champion product decisions that strengthen the brand and deliver real-world value.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 6–8+ years of relevant experience in product management, product line management, or merchandising, preferably in footwear.
- Strong experience with product creation and footwear construction.
- Proven ability to own assortment strategy and merchandising decisions.
- Prior people management experience required.
- Exposure to multiple footwear categories (Men’s, Women’s, Kids’) is a plus.
- Experience working cross-functionally with Marketing and Sales teams.
- Confident presenter with experience leading seasonal sales meetings and line reviews.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Strong product and merchandising instincts
- Deep understanding of footwear construction and development
- Commercial and financial acumen (pricing, margins, SKU productivity)
- Clear, compelling communication and presentation skills
- Highly collaborative, organized, and execution-focused
- Passion for building product that works hard and wears well
LOCATION
Based in Portland, OR
