Job Title
Product Manager (Booking Program Headwear and Accessories)
Location
Milton Keynes
Reporting to
Sr. Category Manager
Job Description
The Product Manager for the Booking Program – Headwear & Accessories is responsible for driving consumer-led seasonal strategies, delivering profitable assortments, and managing cross-functional communication from concept through delivery. This role oversees the booking program across headwear and accessories, ensuring timely execution in line with company goals, margin targets, licensing requirements, and sales readiness. The Product Manager leads one Product Coordinator and plays a central liaison role between category management, design, sourcing, sales, and U.S. counterparts. Demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for sports and an expert-level understanding of streetwear culture.
Responsibilities
* Maintains deep and frequently refreshed consumer insights as the foundation for seasonal direction, briefs, and decision-making. Identifies new opportunities aligned with the streetwear landscape and evolving consumer trends.
* Builds target style and SKU count plans, reflective of both product and financial targets, comping against prior-year performance to drive year-over-year business growth.
* Owns all category deliverables aligned to the established critical path.
* Partners with sourcing and design to establish target FOBs, deliver cost-engineering options, and maintain margin targets. Identifies and resolves cost risks proactively.
* Conducts gross margin analysis and manage profitability across the category, presenting back to Sr. Category Manager for seasonal sign off
* Act as the primary point of contact between sourcing, product, design, sales, and U.S. category counterparts. Facilitates smooth communication and alignment throughout the seasonal development cycle.
* Lead internal updates, ensuring visibility on timelines, risks, and deliverables.
* Own the legal approval process with the North America Licensing Approval team. Responsible for all licensed product approvals prior to sales launch.
* Prepare and verify all sales materials (line sheets, sell-in decks, product data) for accuracy and completeness. Ensuring all tools are delivered on time and support a punctual launch at each sales meeting.
* Present seasonal collections confidently to varying levels of seniority, ensuring sales teams fully understand headwear and accessories strategies, stories, and key items.
* Lead weekly key account sell-through reporting for the headwear business unit.
* Build sell-through tools and dashboards that identify red threads, over-performing styles, and new business opportunities.
* Communicate insights to drive in-season and future-season decisions.
* Strong collaboration with Sr. Category Manager and cross functional team members
Knowledge and Experience
* Consumer Centric Product Management/Merchandising experience within the Sportswear and streetwear industry.
* Strong comprehension of streetwear culture, competitive set and trends in both fashion and music.
* Excel/PowerPoint literate to intermediate/advanced level. Working knowledge of Power BI (not required but good to have)
* Business and Financial Acumen, Analytical mindset
* Ability to implement and communicate procedures with internal and external partners across all levels
* Strong communication / presentation skills/ Ability to maintain/cultivate relationships
* Highly organised, able to work within a structured environment
* Proactive problem solver
* Experience working with licensed products (preferred but not mandatory).
* Team Player, positive attitude, flexible in a fast paced working environment
Qualifications and Achievements
* 5 years of experience in product management, merchandising, or category management (headwear, accessories, or apparel preferred).
* Strong understanding of streetwear culture (must-have).
* Advanced proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint.
* Experience with PLM systems and data management.
Additional Information:
* International Travel for Market visits and Sales meetings
* Local and International Market Visits
* At times, you may be required to stay outside of core working hours to achieve business targets
This role will be based out of our Milton Keynes Head Office & the WFH arrangements are 4 days in the office, 1 day from home.