Senior Product Line Manager

Job Title:

SENIOR PRODUCT LINE MANAGER

Job Code:

Position Title:

Senior Product Line and Merchandising Manager.

Job Classification:

  Hourly (Non-Exempt)

  Salary (Non-Exempt)

X Salary

Reports to:

PRESIDENT

Grade Level:

Department:

PRODUCT LINE MANAGEMENT

Location:

CHARLOTTE

Direct Reports:

NONE

General Summary:

The Senior Product Line Manager is responsible for the seasonal line planning of all products within the Mountain Khaki’s line. This position is based in Charlotte, NC, and reports directly to the President. 

The Snr PLM is a data-driven, experienced Merchandiser who is able to analyze the performance of the product line and has a thorough understanding of market and industry trends.

An organized thought leader, and open-minded collaborator, the Snr PLM will work across the organization creating seasonal line plans against accurate and inclusive product forecasts in creating the seasonal line direction (including color, print, new product briefs, existing product updates etc.). Once that seasonal direction has been created, the Snr. PLM will brief the Design & Development (D&D) team in Jackson Hole as they execute against the company’s seasonal plan. 

The Snr. PLM will be measured against the overall success of the line, the ability to achieve initial gross profit (IGP) and gross margin (GM) goals and will be accountable in achieving the dates & gates of the Concept 2 Consumer (C2C) Calendar. Objectively, our goal against company milestones is to complete each task in full and on time. Being highly organized with a real sense of urgency is mission critical.

For each season, the Snr. PLM will organize and host three critical cross-functional meetings that includes the “Line Inception Meeting”; “Proto Product Review”; and “Line Adoption Meeting”. These collaborative meetings will welcome input cross-functionally as we ensure we are optimizing the effectiveness of each seasonal product line. 

Ultimately responsible for the brand’s future product direction, the Snr. PLM will also collaborate with the Marketing Team to ensure that appropriate seasonal product stories are ready to be released at Sales Conference. This enables the Sales Team to thoroughly understand the future Marketing direction and how that will support the sell-in process.

The Snr. PLM will be expected to travel quarterly to the D&D office in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to collaborate with the team there, as well as travel occasionally to suppliers, factories, industry tradeshows, photoshoots and retailers.

Principal Duties and Accountabilities (Essential Functions)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following and all other assigned duties.

1. Ability to thoroughly analyze sales and trend data and build data-driven line plans.
2. Thoroughly organized and calendar driven. Displays a high sense of urgency to deliver all tasks in full and on time. Ability to execute against hard deadlines with unwavering respect for the calendar.
3. An open minded and positive collaborator. A clear and consistent communicator. Ability to engage all cross-functional departments leading agenda driven seasonal product meetings.
4. A keen eye for detail. Color, print, pattern and trend. Relentless dedication to evolution whilst respecting the brand’s heritage. The ability to merchandise across the different contemporary, classic and conservative consumer groups.
5. Ability to embrace systems and technology, including the company’s PLM system. Ensure that the system is utilized and optimized on a seasonal basis.
6. Ability to thoroughly brief both seasonal product lines and product franchises. Establish product lifecycle expectations and consider product ROIs.
7. Create cross-line material efficiencies by briefing multiple use cases for seasonally selected fabrics. Leverage the maximized merchandising opportunities.
8. Clearly define MSRP and GM expectations on new product introductions that are in accordance with both market and consumer demands as well as business expectations.
9. Complete confidence to present a product line in front of both internal staff and external retailers.
10. Maintain a regular cadence of competitive mapping & analysis across the broader marketplace.

Supervisory Responsibilities including Direct Reports (List Positions):                                                                  

Initially, this position will not have any direct reports, however that may evolve over time. The Senior Product Line Manager is ultimately supervising the ideation and creation of the seasonal product lines. This is based on the ability to identify trend, analyze sales data and directionally establish color, print and pattern for the upcoming seasons. The Snr. PLM will collaboratively ensure that the D&D team is executing against the seasonal line brief.

Competencies                                                                 

1. Computer Skills.
2. Mathematics & Analysis.
3. Trend Analysis. Color, print, pattern, inspiration.
4. Organization & time management.
5. Communication through various mediums.

NOTE: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. Other duties and   

              Responsibilities may be assigned as dictated by the business needs and conditions. As an essential function of the job, good 

              Attendance is required.

Qualifications, Educational Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

At least five years’ experience in a similar role. 

Education and/or Experience                                                                

Tertiary education qualifications in a product or apparel related discipline.

Language Skills                                                                      

None required, however Spanish or Mandarin an added benefit.

Reasoning Ability                                                                  

Must be an open minded and positive collaborator.

Computer Skills                                                                     

Needs to be extremely proficient in Microsoft Xcel & PowerPoint.

Must have previous PLM system experience.

Added benefit to have ERP experience.

Other Skills and Abilities                                                                       

Thorough understanding of fabrics and other related apparel product details.

Other Qualifications                                                              

None required

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Key Performance Indicators against which the Employee is Reviewed:

1. Thorough analysis of product performance across the various categories of the product line.
2. Calendar Adherence. 100% achievement against the dates & gates of the C2C Calendar.
3. Complete and thorough seasonal line plan & seasonal forecasting document.
4. Organization of three hosted meetings per season. Inception, Review & Adoption.
5. Comprehensive seasonal inspiration & color stories. Aligned around seasonal merch packs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations