Associate Product Manager, Basketball Footwear

Key Responsibilities: 

Execution & Operations Excellence 

• Calendar Management: Follow comprehensive product development calendars, helping to ensure all team members are aligned on critical milestones, deadlines, and deliverables 

• Process Coordination: Establish and maintain organized workflows for product briefs, line confirmations, and cross-functional communications  

• Administrative Support: Coordinate meetings, prepare materials, and ensure seamless information flow between design, marketing, and regional teams  

• Project Tracking: Monitor project progress against timelines and proactively identify potential delays or roadblocks  

• Documentation Management: Maintain organized records of product decisions, meeting notes, and strategic discussions  

• Systems Management: Assist in the maintenance of internal product systems including FLEX PLM and SmartSheet to ensure accurate product data, timeline tracking, and cross-functional visibility 

Basketball Market Intelligence & Research 

• Consumer Research: Assist the team in thorough research on basketball consumer trends, preferences, and unmet needs to identify white space opportunities for mainstream market connection 

• Competitive Analysis: Monitor and report on competitor basketball footwear strategies, product launches, and market positioning 

• Market Insights: Provide fresh perspectives on basketball business opportunities through both personal basketball knowledge and data-driven research 

• Trend Identification: Stay current on basketball culture, athlete preferences, and emerging consumer behaviors that could inform product strategy 

Team Support & Strategic Contribution 

• Cross-functional Coordination: Assist in the facilitation of communication between basketball product team, regional hubs, GTM teams, and key markets 

• Presentation Support: Assist in creating and organizing materials for Brand Summit, executive presentations, and key milestone meetings 

• Strategic Input: Contribute basketball-specific insights and consumer perspectives to product strategy discussions 

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and enhance team efficiency 

Product Process Support 

• Product Briefing: Support the preparation and organization of product briefs while learning the strategic thinking behind brief development 

• Line Planning: Assist with product assortment planning and ensure balanced portfolio management 

• Collaboration Facilitation: Coordinate between footwear and apparel teams for cohesive collection development. Coordinate between marketing team responsible for athletes and development to deliver product on time

• Market Communication: Help disseminate product strategies and updates to regional teams and sales organization 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sports Management, or related field 

• 1-3 years of experience in product management, marketing, or related role 

• Demonstrated passion for basketball and deep understanding of basketball culture and consumer behavior 

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills 

• Strong cross-functional communication and facilitation abilities 

• Strong analytical and research capabilities 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite 

• Process-oriented mindset with attention to detail  

• 3-day in-office requirement (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)