Product Line Manager

Castore exists for one single reason – to make athletes better. Our ethos is built upon the philosophy of BETTER NEVER STOPS, an ideal deeply infused in our DNA and something we strive to live every single day. We utilise advanced engineering and unique technical fabrics to create the highest quality sportswear in the world for athletes who demand the very best. Designed with a passion for innovation with specialist features to help to optimise athletic performance in all conditions.

The founders’ vision is to build Castore into a brand respected across the globe for a deep and unrelenting commitment to engineering the highest quality sportswear in the world, with no stone left unturned in its search for innovation and performance enhancement.

The sportswear market has been dominated by a small clique of mass-market brands and the vision is for Castore to be a premium alternative to these, the natural brand of choice for discerning athletes who demand the very best.

What’s the Job?

You will support developing and implementing football, rugby and cricket product range plans to create industry leading concepts and execute the category direction.

What will I do?

• Drive the product range direction proactively.

• Propose a clear strategy for the respective range and how to move it on.
• Develop/show full understanding of the product creation process whilst managing all tasks within the given time frames, with special attention to speed to market.
• Work within cross-functional team and interlinked departments to enable an efficient product creation process with an optimum product outcome.
• Develop/show good level of product expertise to create industry leading products.
• Actively analyse business, draw conclusions and propose action steps.
• Range plan owner of all categories within teamwear.
• Develop/show strong knowledge of product information systems and the interlinking functions - clarity on respective timelines.

Support sell-in to partners where required.

• Continuously seek additional business opportunities to grow teamwear business.

• Create ranges within the categories from both an image and commercial point of view.

• Work closely with category management, design, development and partnerships for best in class product against target FOB’s and RRP’s.

• Competitor analyses in all relevant local markets.

• Strategy: ability to provide input to and implement strategy.

What skills and qualities will I need?

Key Skills:

• Bachelors degree, preferably in marketing/business/textile/fashion.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product merchandising or product management.
• Consumer-focused with deep product and range understanding

• Ability to work cross-functionally, liaising with peer groups across the business to drive efficiencies and results
• Ability to work within strict deadlines and able to be adaptive to changes
• Comfortable in a fast-paced and ever-changing business environment
• Excellent planning and organisation skills
• Flexible approach and willingness to further learn & adapt in a fast pace growing business
• High level of proficiency with MS Office suite of products.

• Fluent in English (writing and verbal).

Personal Qualities:

• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

• Organisation, planning, able to juggle multiple projects at once
• Good communication (both written and verbal) and facilitation skills (small and large groups) especially when interacting with different levels of business
• Knowledge/understanding of the football, rugby and cricket categories.

• Passionate about sports

• Confidence in own ability to challenge current ways of working, whilst delivering recommendations for improved process
• Be a team player
• Be results driven
• Share our ambitious outlook
• Have a Better Never Stops Attitude

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Modern city centre offices in Manchester
• An opportunity to work with global sporting partners
• Office and breakout space with pool tables, dart board and TVs
• A chance to build a career with a fast paced, high growth brand