Product Line Manager, Pickleball

Product Line Manager, Pickleball | Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

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 Product Line Manager, Pickleball is at the heart of developing Wilson equipment as the leader of our pickleball product creation process. The Product Line Manager will understand the competitive landscape and be capable of translating consumer needs into a cohesive, compelling, and profitable product assortment that inspires athletes and enthusiasts. This position is responsible for all product creation aspects from the initial idea phase to commercialization for the product on a global basis. This role will lead day-to-day range planning details with an innovation mindset, working directly with Innovation, Graphics/Design, Sourcing, Consumer Marketing, Commercial Management, Sales, and our key global markets.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for the development of the full line construct, consumer insights, and the product brief. Specifically responsible for generating the consumer insights while keeping our distribution (Wilson.com, traditional wholesale, and emerging consumer access) points in mind. Ultimately, like any other category, the performance and design of our products need to inspire the target consumer.
• Drive consumer insights knowledge during the design process. Continually validate product concept, design, and solutions with consumers.
• Maintain internal product development management tools, providing accurate information to development, sourcing, and capacity planning.
• Develop knowledge of online and retail trends (all distribution channels) in our key markets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sourcing, Supply, R&D, Commercial, and Marketing counterparts to arrive at product mix details – pricing, positioning, promotion, supply, etc.
• Support Marketing with product descriptions, technologies, and messaging.
• Provide approval for key collateral such as product specifications, catalogs, samples, packaging, promotions, and merchandising.
• Build Channel Right Assortments (CRAs) with the consumer in mind and target retail price positioning as part of our Idea to Consumer (I2C) process.
• Develop a seasonal range plan in collaboration with business leaders that delivers against the category objectives of gross sales, product margin, SKU efficiency, and market share.
• Identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competitors in order to gain a competitive advantage.
• Maintain a multi-year plan to support our key accounts within the category, both in traditional channels and online accounts.
• Identify category growth opportunities and new market product potential.
• Ensure the concept-to-market process is managed effectively within the category day-to-day to support key timeline and decision points during development.
• Build and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, athletes, coaches, and influencers in pickleball to gather insights, validate product direction, and strengthen Wilson’s credibility in the community.
• Deliver effective and inspirational product presentations to our markets, the sales force, and key customers around the world.
• Understand and drive actions supporting the financial expectations of the category, including but not limited to: net sales, margins, product costs, range positioning, and SKU rationalization.
• Participate in business planning meetings when required (BP1 and/or BP2) and deploy the regional toolbox after Global CB. Provide support for regional and local sales launch meetings.
• Promote and ensure a collaborative cross-team culture.

This role requires a bachelors degree plus 3-5 years experience in product management/development of hard goods for a high end brand (sports industry is a plus) or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Other qualifications include:

• Experience with overseas markets is a plus.
• Ability to work autonomously with limited direction and foster for growth
• Entrepreneurial spirit with the curiosity to think differently and create new opportunities
• Negotiation and deal closing open-minded, team-oriented networker personality
• Consumer-centric and eager to support seamless consumer experience within OC approach
• Positive attitude and motivation to constantly challenge the status quo
• Fluent in English, additional languages an asset
• Driver’s license
• Proven ability to understand consumers & markets and translate those needs into the product and business strategies.
• Ability to understand the technical features, end use, and performance benefits of the product
• Skill in guiding the overall process of building a product from concept to delivery
• Ability to gain a full understanding of price/value relationship of each product
• Strong knowledge of competitors and their products with understanding of the needs in overseas markets
• In depth knowledge of the retail landscape for Racquet Sports/Pickleball
• Self-motivated with a results-oriented approach to work
• Must be comfortable in a fluid and evolving organization with a highly collaborative work style
• Excellent presentation skills in both small and large group settings
• Ability to travel up to 40%.

What We’ll Provide

A reasonable estimate of the pay range is $90,000 - $140,000 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.

We also offer an innovative, inclusive, and people-first environment with competitive benefits and perks, including:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Pre-tax transit discounts
• 401(k) with company match
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Volunteering programs
• Team building outings
• Discounts on Wilson and Amer Sports products
• 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.