Product Range Manager – Footwear & Apparel

Description:

Job Description:We seek a commercially-minded Product Range Manager to join a leading name in the footwear and apparel industry. This position is vital in managing our product ranges and ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and sales objectives. Reporting directly into the sales structure, the role requires someone with a strong retail or sales background in the fashion or footwear industry, not just a designer, but someone who understands what sells and why. Key Responsibilities
Range Management & Market Insight

• Lead the development and management of local and imported product ranges across all categories and seasons
• Use market insights and trend research to guide product offerings in line with customer demand and sales strategies
• Coordinate sample distribution and ensure timely tooling for locally manufactured ranges
• Act as the strategic link between the sales and development teams, ensuring commercial objectives and creative execution align

Team Oversight & Collaboration

• Oversee the development team to ensure timelines, product execution, and team KPIs are met
• While hands-on design skills are not essential, a basic understanding of design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, 3D modelling) and processes is important to bridge communication between departments
• Drive motivation, performance management, and team cohesion within the development team
• Ensure adherence to company policies and contribute to a culture of accountability and innovation

Experience & Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in the retail, sales, or product space within the footwear or apparel industry
• Strong commercial and market understanding, with proven success in range building and product lifecycle management
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Product Design, Industrial Design, Fashion, or Business) preferred
• Working knowledge of footwear construction and an understanding of sustainable material trends is advantageous

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – critical for cross-functional collaboration
• Analytical mindset with strong organisational and decision-making abilities
• Commercially driven with a passion for product, sales, and market trends
• Comfortable interpreting design briefs, specs, and technical requirements without needing to execute the design personally

Requirements:

Key Responsibilities
Range Management & Market Insight

• Lead the development and management of local and imported product ranges across all categories and seasons
• Use market insights and trend research to guide product offerings in line with customer demand and sales strategies
• Coordinate sample distribution and ensure timely tooling for locally manufactured ranges
• Act as the strategic link between the sales and development teams, ensuring commercial objectives and creative execution align

Team Oversight & Collaboration

• Oversee the development team to ensure timelines, product execution, and team KPIs are met
• While hands-on design skills are not essential, a basic understanding of design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, 3D modelling) and processes is important to bridge communication between departments
• Drive motivation, performance management, and team cohesion within the development team
• Ensure adherence to company policies and contribute to a culture of accountability and innovation

Experience & Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in the retail, sales, or product space within the footwear or apparel industry
• Strong commercial and market understanding, with proven success in range building and product lifecycle management
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Product Design, Industrial Design, Fashion, or Business) preferred
• Working knowledge of footwear construction and an understanding of sustainable material trends is advantageous

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – critical for cross-functional collaboration
• Analytical mindset with strong organisational and decision-making abilities
• Commercially driven with a passion for product, sales, and market trends
• Comfortable interpreting design briefs, specs, and technical requirements without needing to execute the design personally

• Lead the development and management of local and imported product ranges across all categories and seasons
• Use market insights and trend research to guide product offerings in line with customer demand and sales strategies
• Coordinate sample distribution and ensure timely tooling for locally manufactured ranges
• Act as the strategic link between the sales and development teams, ensuring commercial objectives and creative execution align

• Oversee the development team to ensure timelines, product execution, and team KPIs are met
• While hands-on design skills are not essential, a basic understanding of design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, 3D modelling) and processes is important to bridge communication between departments
• Drive motivation, performance management, and team cohesion within the development team
• Ensure adherence to company policies and contribute to a culture of accountability and innovation

• 5+ years' experience in the retail, sales, or product space within the footwear or apparel industry
• Strong commercial and market understanding, with proven success in range building and product lifecycle management
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Product Design, Industrial Design, Fashion, or Business) preferred
• Working knowledge of footwear construction and an understanding of sustainable material trends is advantageous

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – critical for cross-functional collaboration
• Analytical mindset with strong organisational and decision-making abilities
• Commercially driven with a passion for product, sales, and market trends
• Comfortable interpreting design briefs, specs, and technical requirements without needing to execute the design personally