Implus Footcare, LLC is an industry-leading global consumer packaged goods company with 16 brands in fitness and athletic performance, movement and flexibility, lifestyle hosiery and footwear accessories, and outdoor. Our product categories are sold in over 80,000 retail locations worldwide. Implus is headquartered in Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC with locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Japan. Our brand family includes SKLZ, Perfect, Balega, TriggerPoint, Harbinger, RockTape, Sport-Brella, Yaktrax, DryGuy, Little Hotties, Sof Sole, Spenco, Airplus, SofComfort, ForceField, and Sneaker Balls.
At Implus we believe in the power of diversity, equity & inclusion and are committed to creating an environment where all team members can thrive, regardless of their background, identity, or experiences. We encourage & value different perspectives and are seeking a Product Line Manager who shares our commitment to inclusivity and enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Product Line Manager is responsible for managing Sof Sole, insoles and shoe care assigned product lines and supporting the development, execution, and commercialization of product strategies that deliver brand and business objectives. This role translates brand strategy, consumer insights, market trends, and commercial feedback into product recommendations, portfolio plans, product positioning, and commercialization support. The Product Line Manager partners closely with Product Development, Operations, Sourcing, Commercial, Digital Commerce, Finance, and Shared Services Marketing to ensure assigned product lines are positioned, developed, launched, and managed effectively.
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Essential Job Function:
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PRODUCT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT (25%)
- Manage assigned product lines, category segments, or product portfolios in alignment with brand strategy and business objectives.
- Support development and execution of product line strategies, assortment plans, lifecycle plans, product roadmaps, and commercialization plans.
- Monitor product performance, assortment productivity, lifecycle status, and portfolio health.
- Identify product gaps, enhancement opportunities, line extension opportunities, and potential rationalization needs.
- Partner with Commercial teams to understand market opportunities, customer requirements, regional needs, and channel feedback.
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BUSINESS GROWTH & PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE (20%)
- Track revenue, margin, inventory, sell-in/sell-through, and product performance for assigned categories or product lines.
- Analyze portfolio performance to identify opportunities to improve growth, profitability, productivity, and inventory health.
- Partner with Finance, Commercial, Digital Commerce, and Operations to evaluate business performance and recommend actions.
- Support pricing, assortment optimization, product lifecycle decisions, and commercialization priorities.
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CONSUMER INSIGHTS & MARKET OPPORTUNITY (15%)
- Leverage consumer insights, customer feedback, category trends, competitive intelligence, and marketplace research to support product recommendations.
- Translate consumer and market understanding into product concepts, positioning recommendations, and commercialization inputs.
- Monitor competitive activity, category evolution, and emerging marketplace opportunities.
- Serve as a consumer advocate for assigned product lines throughout development and commercialization.
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INNOVATION & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT (15%)
- Support assigned innovation initiatives from concept through commercialization.
- Develop or contribute to product briefs that define target consumer, consumer need, positioning, product requirements, claims, pricing parameters, and success criteria.
- Partner with Product Development teams to ensure product concepts and requirements are clearly defined and aligned to business objectives.
- Balance consumer needs, product feasibility, market opportunity, and commercial requirements.
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PRODUCT POSITIONING, CHANNEL & COMMERCIAL EXECUTION (15%)
- Develop product positioning recommendations, value propositions, feature-benefit frameworks, claims, and points of competitive differentiation for assigned product lines.
- Translate product features into consumer-relevant benefits and commercial selling points.
- Partner with Commercial and Digital Commerce teams to support channel-specific product, assortment, content, and launch strategies.
- Support commercialization planning, launch deliverables, readiness criteria, risk identification, and cross-functional execution.
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DIGITAL COMMERCE & SHARED SERVICES MARKETING PARTNERSHIP (10%)
- Provide product positioning, product knowledge, consumer insights, and product storytelling inputs to Digital Commerce and Shared Services Marketing teams.
- Support digital merchandising and launch plans that improve discoverability, consideration, and purchase conversion.
- Review product and commercialization materials for alignment with product strategy, product claims, brand intent, and consumer messaging.
- Serve as a product and category resource for assigned portfolios.
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Minimum Qualifications: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
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- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Product Management, Merchandising, Product Development, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Typically 4 to 6+ years of experience in product line management, product marketing, brand management, category management, merchandising, product development, or a related commercial/product role.
- Experience supporting or managing product portfolios, assortment plans, lifecycle processes, product launches, and commercialization plans.
- Strong understanding of consumer products, product positioning, category trends, competitive dynamics, and customer/channel requirements.
- Ability to analyze revenue, margin, inventory, product performance, consumer insights, and market data to support recommendations.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to translate product features into consumer benefits and commercial selling points.
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Product Development, Operations, Sourcing, Commercial, Digital Commerce, Finance, and Marketing partners.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, product details, and cross-functional deliverables.
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Preferred Qualifications:
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- Experience in sporting goods, health and wellness, fitness, outdoor, footwear/apparel/accessories, or branded consumer products.
- Experience working with global product portfolios or regional commercial teams.
- Experience supporting digital commerce product content, merchandising, or online launch plans.
- Experience developing product briefs, claims, positioning frameworks, and commercialization materials.
- Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, syndicated data, product lifecycle management system, or product information management system experience.
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Education & Experience:
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A bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Product Management, Merchandising, Product Development, or a related field of study OR a combination of education and experience will be considered. Typically requires 4 to 6+ years of related experience.
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Relevant Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
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- Observe/Identify: The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Hearing: Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, customers and vendors.
- Operate: Write, type and use the telephone, copier, and computer systems.
- Stationary position: Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50-75% of the time.
- Mobility: Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, attend meetings, etc.
- Communicate: Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- Move/Transport: Ability to occasionally move boxes weighing up to 25 lbs. across office for various needs with or without accommodations.
- Exposed: Standard climate-controlled office setting.
- Occasional exposure to open air, warehouse setting.
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