PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION

• Orchestrate cross-functional product creation teams across apparel, accessories, and footwear to deliver the category vision to target consumer groups across all creation layers and distribution channels.
• End-to-end ownership and management of the project lifecycle, including strategic roadmap planning, milestone execution, senior leadership alignment, and high-level engagement with external partners (creation partners, key accounts).
• Translate high-level strategies into actionable tactical plans to drive effective consumer connection and cultural adoption.
• Partner directly with local and global stakeholders to ensure cohesive local/global ranges are brought to market with a powerful, balanced mix of storytelling, product excellence, and commercial availability.
• Act as a proven strategist, negotiator, and leader, decisively auditing and steering product creation direction based on consumer insights and commercial viability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team, maximizing functional and leadership capabilities through active coaching and mentorship.
• Foster a highly collaborative, matrix-focused culture within the team to ensure seamless cooperation with interlinked regional and global departments.
• Lead by example embodying and championing core brand values and corporate culture.
• Serve as a visionary anchor for team members by co-developing and clearly communicating strategic directions, product creation processes, and critical milestones.
• Proactively identify business opportunities and mitigate risks initiate decisive action plans in partnership with internal and external cross-functional stakeholders.
• Leverage expert-level knowledge of the end-to-end product creation process across all product divisions to streamline operations and accelerate speed-to-market.
• Engage and align with cross-functional leadership in Japan and South Korea to maximize the market impact of regional product drops.
• Drive product development and leverage category sourcing strategies to deliver cutting-edge material and design innovation while consistently hitting profitability and margin targets.
• Accelerate Key Account business by delivering superior service, optimized product tiers, competitive pricing, and precise launch timing.
• Shape the long-term product vision by establishing a robust innovation agenda and a multi-year product roadmap in collaboration with design and development partners.
• Serve as the central cross-functional product marketing anchor and strategic point-person for respective team units.
• Monitor and optimize category financials and KPIs (including sell-in/sell-through rates, article efficiency, and volume metrics), implementing immediate commercial or structural solutions when needed.
• Curate, prepare, and present product ranges during creative, design, and selection review sessions, ensuring alignment at major internal brand milestones.
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director to architect short-, mid-, and long-term product creation strategies that secure industry leadership for the creation center.
• Cultivate an influential industry network translating external market insights into actionable business opportunities for the brand.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERTISE

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams to conceptualize and execute industry-leading products.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities: adept at setting clear frameworks for performance, autonomy, and professional growth.
• In-depth, comprehensive knowledge of apparel, accessories, and footwear product creation pipelines.
• Advanced analytical acumen paired with a solution-driven, results-oriented, and highly creative mindset.
• Thrives in high-velocity, fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong lateral thinking capability with the courage to challenge the status quo to achieve superior brand outcomes.
• Expert understanding of the Japanese and South Korean consumer landscape, retail accounts, macroeconomic trends, and market dynamics.
• Adept at conflict resolution and diplomatic negotiation in high-stakes environments.
• Strong change management capabilities with a track record of guiding teams through organizational or process evolutions.
• Highly collaborative nature with an innate ability to build and maintain high-trust relationships.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel as required by the business.
• Deep passion for sports, fashion, art, music, and sneaker culture.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Product Design
• Product Operations / Development (Multiple Locations)
• Japan Business Unit & Local Cross-Functional Teams including Senior Leaders
• South Korea Business Unit & Local Cross-Functional Teams including Senior Leaders
• Global Lifestyle Business Unit & Go-To-Market Teams
• Global Business Affairs Team
• Global Sourcing Team

• External Collaboration Partners/Accounts

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree or equivalent professional education required.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional work experience.
• 5+ years of experience managing diverse, cross-functional, or global teams within a complex matrix organization.
• 5+ years of experience in product creation, product marketing, or merchandising within the fashion, lifestyle, or sportswear industries.
• Proven track record of success in high-tier product marketing and strategic partnership management.
• Advanced proficiency in standard business tools (MS Office Suite, internal PLM software).
• Fluency in English and Japanese (written and spoken) is required.