Product Management Manager, Women's Polo Sweaters

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.


At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Support the Lead and Head with specific responsibilities related to Product lifecycle for the Women's Polo Sweater category. Focus on ownership and accountability of product management within line architecture.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership


OTB Management: Support Production Team with all sourcing allocations, TNAs, OTBs in GFE/PLM.


Drive (build/negotiate/analyze/communicate) TNA plans with sourcing offices and analyze the information to ensure that timing associated with fabric, production, and logistics are in line. Risk access and find solutions. Highlighting issues to sr. manager/lead & CFT.


Lead a seasonal production plan with CFT partners to optimize a Post market commit. Ie Strategic core fabric positioning (partner with raw material team). Adhere to POST Market Flexibility (60% goal).


Secure on time delivery methodologies by aligning/leveraging lead times for added buy flexibility and product planning to start ship.


Execute raw material positioning strategies and capacity planning with a focus on top investment core programs.


Secure and reconcile buy commitments while ensuring contracted deliveries from mills/suppliers is being met.


Cost Management: Ensure cost sheets are submitted in PLM & flowing in GFE meeting milestone calendar (Flash/Board Review, Proto, SRS, Bulk).


Presenting up-front Flash costing and cost engineering to cross functional team member as a guideline during product development stage


Ability to analyze and negotiate by understanding product components and key cost drivers and lead-time of a garment. Lead all seasonal cost meetings.


Pull end of season business analysis and report to Sr. Manager/Lead.


Chase & Reconciliation/Rebalancing Management: Support Production Team in adhering to Chase, Reconciliation/Rebalancing Playbook calendar milestones.


Partners with internal and external partners to ensure accuracy in data and timelines are adhered.


Update chart ie OTBs, delivery communication, cost updates


OTB management for all "non-PO" materials confirmed to chase


Bulk & SRS PO Creation/Management in GFE/PLM/SAP:


Manage and maintain the showroom sample process adhering to all rack review, line review, and market deadlines.


Lock & export SRS/Bulk units and send GFE downloads to vendors. Ensure sample quantities are accurate. Offers corrections working collaboratively with vendors


Send PIRS & PRS to NY Ops for non-hko vendors


SRS management with sourcing/vendors. Utilize SRS PODs to review status and mitigate any delivery delays.


Tracked and checked in SRS


Maintain SRS tracking report to ensure on-time SRS del and communication of status to CFT partners & management. Highlight styles that will miss arrival, discuss mitigation.


Drive communication and influence on decision making with internal and external partners for updates on pending approvals for on time showroom samples and stock.


Production Management


Influence and navigate key stakeholders to collectively adhere to corporate calendar deadlines


BOM & Cost Sheet Complete - Pull BOM tracker, analyze how to execute, and action to achieve completeness (monthly).


AUC - Manage costing activities based on analysis of past production strategies; provide upfront visibility to component costs that negatively impact margin goals prior to seasonal adoption to achieve dept goals.


Evaluate monthly delivery flow reports and capacity trends to support changes in allocation plan and seasonal buying strategies.


Identify and mitigate development inefficiencies to promote thoughtful line architecture.


Manage factory direct programs, allocation and capacity planning, order management, solicitation of all production approvals and proactive quality assurance and reinforcement of company and brand protocols.


Negotiate cost and delivery with sourcing offices, work on cost options. Review with Sr. Manager/Lead. Communication must be timely, clear and concise.


Influence, manage, and facilitate the timely approval of raw material components to support on time bulk deliveries and understand design style changes and their impact to cost, delivery, and liability.


Lead liability utilization and management (O9)


Focus on quality; manage escalation decisions for the brand, monitor vendor performance, and drive product developments allocation based on capacity and delivery performance results.


Business Growth & Innovation


Diversify and develop new business opportunities


Lead cross-departmental initiatives for operational excellency


Drive knowledge sharing and best practices across global offices


Champion sustainable development practices and innovative solutions


Cross-Functional Leadership


Champion new operational processes, create opportunities for efficiency


Drive continuous improvement in production process


Ensure adherence to brand standards and quality benchmarks


Manage associate/assistant career growth. Strong skills in team development and retaining talent.


Lead and drive decisions supporting brand and product integrity during weekly cross functional stakeholder meeting with keen awareness to milestone expectations.


Drive communication and influence decision making with internal and external partners for updates on cost/delivery. (Design, PMT, Tech, Merchandising, Regional buyers, Sourcing Offices)


Strong ability to spearhead weekly cross functional team meetings and drive team to quick resolution of issues.


Creative solutions and problem solving in addressing issues and roadblocks.


Partner with overseas offices to track and implement pre-production process efficiencies.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

4-year college degree preferred


Apparel production experience, with specific focus on sweater/knitwear development and construction


Understanding of yarn, knit gauges, stitches, and sweater manufacturing techniques


Must be self-motivated and ability to adapt to changing business needs.


Manage projects, team coordination, and processes within their immediate scope


Supervise small teams or individual contributors


Make decisions within established guidelines


Embody critical thinking skills, solutions-oriented approaches to problem solving, and adaptability


Strong verbal and written (email) communication, presentation, and leadership skills


Proficient in all computer systems: Intermediate to advanced Excel (i.e. pivot tables, v lookups etc.) PowerPoint, Word, SAP, FlexPLM, GFE+, Ariba, o9

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Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws. Please note background checks will be evaluated individually.