Associate Product Line Manager, Baseball/Softball

Associate Product Line Manager, Baseball/Softball | Hybrid, Chicago

At Wilson, we are here to empower every human to live like an athlete. Passion. Creativity. Integrity. Teamwork. Ambition. Innovation. These are the qualities that have made Wilson Sporting Goods Co. the number one sports equipment brand in the world. We come together to win, grow, and celebrate. We all play for Team Wilson. We all have a role to play within our organization and are working towards the same goal. One team, one dream.

We believe that being an athlete isn’t something you do, it’s who you are. It’s a universal code of conduct, a way of seeing the world and how you show up every day. We seek out diverse voices and welcome all perspectives. Our team is composed of individuals with unique backgrounds, points of view and experiences. These perspectives create a rich and diverse culture in which we learn from one another through empathy and inclusion.

Evolving the sports world and being the best partner for players, athletes, and our community is no small task. We are continually looking to add enthusiastic, ambitious, team-first individuals who desire to make a difference —and who love to help others win. Together, we will create a better world through sport. Join us.

The Associate Manager, Product Line supports the Baseball Product Team in the creation process while working closely with design and development.  Specifically, the Associate Manager, Product Line is responsible for all product creation aspects from the initial idea phase to commercialization for EvoShield-branded equipment.  The Associate Product Line Manager supports the Product Team with the development of consumer/player insights. 

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assess market competition and trends to gather qualitative and quantitative data for purposes of product positioning.
• Develop retail consumer insights and product briefs. Specifically, responsible for generating consumer insights regarding the problems we are trying to solve for our customers, and end-consumers, and utilizing those insights and observations to help develop product personas.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Innovation, Supply and Demand, etc. counterparts to arrive at product mix details – pricing, positioning, promotion, etc.
• Provide feedback and suggestions on an ongoing basis to cross-functional global teams based on your research of trend and market information and maintaining a strong sense and pulse for the Bags, Batting Gloves, Umpire Gear, Lacrosse, Brand Builders and Accessories market.
• Establish and maintain a three-year global retail product roadmap and planning documentation for seasonal product revisions, product life cycle and launches.
• Establish close working relationship with the Savannah Bananas and college partners seasonally.
• Lead specialty collaboration projects.
• Evaluate on-going in-line products to ensure continuous improvements and identify new category opportunities.
• Make formal product presentations to management, the sales force, and key external customers. Present product direction to management, the sales force, and retail accounts at key check points within the product development calendar.  Emphasis on presentations to internal (sales force and product team).
• Work closely with sourcing and operations as it relates to operational excellence, sales sample and go-to market efficiency in delivery.
• Work with key suppliers to create a streamlined product approach that maximizes our organizational efficiencies and leverages our competitive advantages.
• Understand and drive actions supporting the financial expectations of the category:  Net sales, margins, product cost, range positioning, SKU rationalization.
• Work with Marketing and Design to ensure that the creative direction and brand DNA is consistently reflected in the product and positioned appropriately with robust go-to-market brand strategies and packaging.
• Manage internal product management tool with accurate information needed to assist others in sourcing, e-comm product set up, and marketing.
• Evaluate prototype products and make recommendations for improvement with design and development.
• Responsible for global communications and providing U.S. Market Place, consumer and retailer insights on EvoShield products, including Bags, Batting Gloves, Umpire Gear, Lacrosse and Accessories. Additional product responsibilities will be determined by the manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

We are seeking qualified candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 3 years of business experience, including experience in product marketing. 

Other qualifications include:

• Basic knowledge of product design, development, and commercialization process.
• Experience in Baseball and Softball, either as a player or in a professional capacity, is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the retail landscape for Baseball / Softball products.
• Familiarity with the sport of Lacrosse is preferred but not required.
• Superior verbal, written communication, and presentation skills with the ability to create and present clear product briefs that outline the business and consumer objectives for creating a new product.
• Project management experience – the ability to develop and implement a product management calendar and keep all relevant internal teams informed, on track and on budget for multiple projects at the same time.
• Consumer Driven - Demonstrated ability to conduct consumer insight studies in a fair and unbiased way for maximum clarity on consumer preferences.
• Extreme attention to detail and ability to keep a robust product line plan up to date with relevant product information for use across multiple departments.
• Proven business planning and analytical skills; ability to track product performance across a sales and commercial matrix to evaluate winning products and key opportunities for growth.
• Solid product and industry knowledge.
• Strong conceptual and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 20% of the time, mainly domestic. For development meetings and meetings with suppliers, retails accounts, and end consumers.

What We’ll Provide

A reasonable estimate of the pay range is $65,000 - $85,000 per year at the time of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors such as job-related skills, relevant experience, education, and/or training. Please note that the range details reflect the base pay only and does not include our competitive bonus program.

Located in the vibrant, sports-centric city of Chicago, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. global headquarters sits along the lakefront with first-class access to a burgeoning creative, innovative, energetic and active professional community. We offer an open, collaborative, high tech work environment with best in class amenities and perks, including:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Pre-tax transit discounts
• 401(k) with company match
• Life insurance
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Volunteering programs
• Team building outings
• Discounts on Wilson and Amer Sports products
• On-site health club
• Summer hours
• Company-sponsored sports leagues/teams
• Fun, active company outings around major sports events

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristics.