The Lead Product Line Manager (Lead PLM) is responsible for setting the long-term strategic vision and driving multi-season execution across a portfolio of brands and/or business units. This role leads product initiatives through the full product lifecycle, establishing line architecture, driving category innovation, and aligning consumer insights, brand positioning, and financial objectives to deliver sustainable growth and market relevance. Serving as the primary liaison between internal cross-functional teams and external brand partners, the Lead PLM ensures alignment to deliver market-leading assortments that achieve growth, profitability, and brand authenticity. As a senior leader within the Product Line Management organization, the Lead PLM drives collaboration across Design, Development, Marketing, Sales, and Operations to execute cohesive, consumer-focused product strategies. In addition to strategic business ownership, this role leads, mentors, and develops Product Line Managers (PLMs), fostering operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration.
Primary Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership & Long-Term Vision- Owns the short term and long-term strategic direction for a portfolio of product categories, aligning product strategy with brand vision, market dynamics, consumer insights, and financial goals.
- Identifies whitespace opportunities and define category strategies and positioning that drive sustainable growth and strengthen brand relevance.
- Leads line planning and performance across multiple product categories, ensuring balanced assortment, innovation focus, and cohesive consumer experiences.
- Optimize investment across categories and product initiatives to maximize long-term growth, profitability and overall business performance.
- Partners with senior leadership to prioritize strategic initiatives, allocate resources, and ensure alignment with company objectives.
Brand & Partnership Leadership- Serve as the primary strategic point of contact with internal and external brand partners, aligning on long-term vision, brand positioning, product strategy, and business objectives
- Lead product strategy across multiple categories on a global scale, balance brand quality, consumer needs, channel strategy, innovation and commercial success.
- Oversee the product approval process, ensuring all products reflect brand standards, design intent, line architecture, product positioning and overall brand representation.
- Foster strong partnerships with licensors and key stakeholders, driving strategic alignment and identifying opportunities for category growth and expansion.
Production Creation & Lifecycle Management- Guide Product Line Managers in developing strategic product briefs, line plans and commercialization strategies that align with consumer insights, market insights, channel mapping and brand positioning.
- Drive portfolio optimization by evaluating product performance, revenue, SKU productivity, lifecycle management, and assortment productivity to identify opportunities for growth, expansion and rationalization.
- Ensure consistent execution of the Integrated Development Process (IDP), providing leadership and oversight to achieve timeline, product commercialization, margin and global region requirements.
- Identify emerging market opportunities, new product platforms, category expansion initiatives that strengthen long-term competitive advantage and profitable growth.
- Establish line architecture, assortment strategies, pricing frameworks, and product investment priorities that maximize consumer relevance and financial performance.
- Oversee color strategy, lifecycle, and investment guidance across brands and categories.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration- Lead cross functional product teams across Product Line Management, Design, Product Development, Quality, Brand Relations, Marketing, Sales and Operations ensuring alignment, collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership of business objectives.
- Drive alignment throughout the Integrated Development Process (IDP), ensuring all cross-functional teams are working toward product, brand, financial and timeline goals.
- Establish clear communication, meeting cadence, and business processes that improve visibility, accountability and execution across product teams.
- Facilitate effective decision-making by proactively identifying risks, removing roadblocks, and resolving cross-functional challenges with urgency and strategic thinking.
Team Leadership & Talent Development- Lead, mentor, and develop Product Line Managers (PLMs) and Associate Product Line Managers (APLMs), providing regular coaching, performance feedback, and career development opportunities.
- Develop the strategic capabilities of the Product Line Management team by coaching critical thinking, consumer insights, financial acumen, brand management, and product strategy.
- Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration while inspiring teams to deliver exceptional business results.
Consumer, Market, and Business Insight- Monitor and analyze brand and category performance, consumer feedback, and competitive landscape to optimize product and business decisions.
- Lead consumer insight initiatives and translate findings into actionable product strategies.
- Ensure all product briefs are strategic, data-driven, and grounded in channel, consumer, and market insights.
- Maintain deep knowledge of global market trends across lifestyle, athletic performance, outdoor, workwear, action sports categories.
Requirements
Skills & Qualifications:- Strategic Thinking: High-level strategic thinking by synthesizing data, trends, and brand direction to develop business level product strategies.
- Product Expertise: Proven success in bringing physical products to market, with a deep understanding of the end-to-end product creation and commercialization process.
- Relationship Building: Strong ability to build and maintain relationships across cross-functional teams and external partners, driving alignment and collaboration.
- Communication & Presentation: Exceptional presentation, communication and storytelling skills; able to clearly convey complex ideas, establish credibility, and build consensus at all levels.
- Professionalism & Teamwork: Demonstrates high degree of professionalism, collaboration, and positive influence across peers and stakeholders.
- Financial Fluency: including P&L drivers, pricing strategy, margin improvement, costing, seasonal and multi-year investment planning
- Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree required (Business, Merchandising, or Retail Management), MBA preferred with a minimum of 10 years of Product Line Management or related product management experience, minimum of 3 years in management.
Signature Products Group offers a competitive compensation package that includes medical, vision, dental, STD/LTD, Life insurance, 401k, and paid holidays. We also offer flexible PTO, a canine friendly workplace, onsite gym, special events and continuous learning opportunities.
Benefits:- 401(k) program and company match
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Health savings account
- Employee assistance program
- Basic life and AD&D insurance
Supplemental Pay:
