In Short
We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Product Manager to join our Apparel Product Strategy team, focusing on the Performance Run segment. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our brand by leading the largest and most technical segment within On’s performance apparel. The ideal candidate will bring over 7 years of specialized experience in performance apparel, combining deep expertise in the product lifecycle with a strong understanding of fabrics, fit, construction, and emerging market trends within the sports apparel industry. You will act as an informal leader for a highly collaborative cross-functional team, driving both long-term strategic vision and daily product execution.
Your Mission
- Apparel Product Strategy & Vision: Drive the creation and execution of the 3-5 year global product strategy for Performance Run Apparel, ensuring alignment with consumer and brand goals, market trends, and technical innovation.
- Product Briefing & Execution: With a consumer-first mindset, translate high-level strategic goals into clear, actionable product briefs and solutions for Design and Development, ensuring feasibility, quality, and alignment with brand direction.
- Market Intelligence & Trend Analysis: Conduct sophisticated market research and competitive analysis, with a keen focus on both performance running innovations and broader fashion/apparel trends. Leverage these insights to create culturally relevant and commercially successful assortments.
- Cross-Functional Leadership Skills: An excellent communicator, collaborator, and mentor who thrives in cross-functional partnerships, particularly with Design, Development, Merchandising, and Marketing, to bring a unified, consumer-centered product vision to life.
- Strategic, Creative & Operational Balance: Deliver on both the strategic development of seasonal product releases and the day-to-day operational excellence of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), combined with an innovative mindset that facilitates teams to innovate and push the boundaries of creativity.
- Fabric & Product Expertise: Partner with the Material Specialist to ensure fabrication meets the brief and withstands the rigors of commercialization.
- Product Data Management: Accurately manage all product data across multiple collections within the PLM system, ensuring timely and meticulous updates in line with dedicated creation calendars. Ability to travel frequently, including internationally.
Your Story
- Specialized Apparel Experience: 7+ years of experience in global product teams, with a proven track record in the performance or technical sportswear apparel industry.
- Technical & Trend Fluency: Strong, demonstrated understanding of fabric technology, performance attributes, construction methods, and current apparel fashion trends.
- Leadership & Communication: Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to positively influence stakeholders across all functions and levels without formal reporting authority.
- Passion for Movement: A personal connection to, and deep understanding of, the running consumer and the culture of performance sport.
- Strategic & Operational Acumen: Proven ability to manage high-volume, complex projects while simultaneously defining and driving a long-term product vision.
- System Proficiency: Demonstrated advanced proficiency in product systems and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools.
- Skilled at Navigation: Excels in fast-paced, creative environments with multiple priorities. Fluent in English (written and spoken).
About the Team
As the Product Strategy team, we are responsible for managing product creation to facilitate go-to-market efforts, from concept to consumer. Our cross-functional interaction is driven by a consumer-focused mindset to ensure we create a product line that sells in and through.
What We Offer
On is a place centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to provide the tools for holistic development – to stay active, learn, explore, and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, ensuring that each person is led by purpose.
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Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.