WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Lead to join the Nike Flyknit Footwear Platform Management team.

Flyknit is Nike’s premiere upper innovation platform that has revolutionized the footwear industry and marketplace. We seek someone who can breathe new life into current product offerings and fearlessly cultivate future opportunities for Nike Flyknit, successfully fueling Nike’s lifestyle and performance businesses.

This person is an astute product professional, with a keen product eye, outspoken nature, and strong business sense.

The ideal candidate will bring an understanding of the Industry, Marketplace, and Consumer with a keen eye for sneaker culture, street fashion, high fashion, sport, and youth culture. The nature of the role and specific product responsibility require someone with an inherent connection to the needs, wants, and influences of young Generation Z and early Alpha Generation consumers who rely heavily on our products in their day-to-day lives and understand how Nike Flyknit footwear can capitalize authentically on these key trends in the marketplace. Additionally, experience working on power footwear franchises is a plus.

We are looking for a teammate who actively contributes to an environment of inclusion and trust. Who seeks out different perspectives in a truth-seeking manner. Who works together with others as one team, holding self and others accountable to meet commitments, and driving impact for the consumer.

You will deliver results with clarity and accountability, demonstrating our shared purpose and commitments. We will think big, break down barriers, innovate and implement in service of our consumers.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

If this is you, you’ll be working directly with the Innovation, Flyknit and Consumer teams.

Flyknit is a space for our boldest innovations and expression to come to life, serving the consumer in both known and unimagined needs. The role requires tight collaboration with our innovation team, and the skills to influence and drive the long term innovation roadmap which serves to ensure Flyknit models pioneer new spaces in new models. Simultaneously, the right consumer narrative, embellishments and unparalleled comfort and style will be employed to drive newness model in product lifecycle.

You will be a subject matter expert for Flyknit, the footwear creation process and spokesperson for all Flyknit-specific footwear endeavors.

This role is responsible for driving all stages of the process, from uncovering consumer and marketplace insights to presenting finalized footwear concepts. This includes crafting product briefs, analyzing business metrics, researching trends, co-authoring the line plan, and collaborating with Design, Development & Merchandising teammates to create industry-leading sneakers. This role will lead by example in every aspect of the job and work with category team members to achieve business results related to revenue growth, profitability, pricing margins, and style/sku efficiency. You will supervise progress against objectives and adjust plans as needed, including hitting cost/margin on your styles and all aspects of product management to successfully deliver the line to market. You would be accountable for financial results in the product line and demonstrate astute financial judgment in making key decisions. You'll ensure the accuracy of information in NIKE internal product management systems. You'll also be responsible for crafting and delivering impactful presentations at internal and external meetings on a regular cadence.

You will serve as a proactive partner for your peers, acting as a leader during critical checkpoints. You will be responsible for coordinating and communicating the line or specific products to internal and external audiences.

It will also be imperative to drive sustainable and aligned product journeys in partnership with Nike’s Consumer Teams to delight our footwear consumers.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

The ideal candidate will work cross-functionally to line plan and partner with innovation, design, product creation, merchandising, etc. in addition to external partners building pinnacle footwear for Nike Flyknit. This role is the conduit that bridges the gap and timely flow of information within category cross-functional teams and requires the ability to work in a highly matrixed organization, where relationship management and influencing skills are critical keys to success.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5 years industry proven experience in product and merchandising, with a strong appreciation for sneakers, innovation, sport, lifestyle and fashion.

• Diverse international experience, global consumers and marketplace understanding, with a proven ability to foresee and capture on trends and cultural shifts.

• Sophisticated understanding of Lifestyle Footwear and Sneaker Culture, as it pertains to younger Gen Z and early Alpha Generation consumers (tastes, habits, preferences, interests & behaviors).

• An appreciation and understanding of macro/micro-culture, style, luxury, and streetwear with a high taste level.

• Proven experience driving the product creation process, through strong organizational skills, work towards results, intuition for business, attention to details and deadlines.

• Demonstrated lead level product line management and key franchise management experience, with ability to drive solid cross-functional plans.

• Can foster collaboration and maintain relationships with multiple key partners in a fast-paced environment.

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tell compelling stories.

• Travel up to 10%, domestically and internationally.

• Product Briefing; and Consumer Insights skills.

• Project Management for sophisticated innovations from concept to manufacturing readiness.

• Footwear Technical Knowledge and passion for product

• Demonstrate excellent and creative consumer/marketplace understanding