Product Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product creation teams bring together consumer insight, design, development, and commercial expertise to create footwear that performs at the highest level and connects with golfers around the world. Every product is shaped through thoughtful strategy, disciplined execution, and a commitment to delivering the best possible consumer experience. The Assistant Manager, Product Marketing (Golf Footwear) supports the success of the global golf footwear business by managing key areas of the product creation and go-to-market process. This role owns assigned footwear models from briefing through key creation milestones while supporting seasonal product strategy, sample management, product assets, market touchpoints, and go-to-market readiness. Working closely with Product Marketing leadership and global and regional partners, this role translates consumer and market insights into strong product decisions while ensuring teams have the information, samples, and assets needed to successfully bring each season to market. The position plays an important role in driving operational excellence across the global golf footwear range while supporting product storytelling, commercial growth, and consistent execution across markets. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Product Creation: Manage assigned footwear models from briefing through CR0, CR1, and CR2 reviews in partnership with triad partners, horizontal stakeholders, and regional teams. * Go-to-Market Assets: Lead the creation and coordination of global visual and written product assets, including photography, features and benefits, e-commerce content, and consumer-facing materials. * Sample Management: Manage seasonal sample ordering across previews, sales samples, photoshoots, SPOMA, and other key milestones to ensure stakeholders have the product needed for execution. * Market Insights: Organize regional input, consumer insights, competitor analysis, and market requests to inform product decisions and identify opportunities for revenue and market share growth. * Product Storytelling: Develop and deliver compelling product presentations for global reviews, sales meetings, tradeshows, media events, and other key business touchpoints. * Seasonal Milestones: Support preparation and execution for CR0, CR1, and CR2 prototype reviews, pre-lines, tradeshows, sales meetings, and virtual events. * Color Strategy: Support seasonal color briefs, color strategy, and execution in partnership with Design and cross-functional stakeholders. * Regional Engagement: Organize regional calls, gather market feedback, and coordinate consumer insight checkpoints throughout the seasonal creation process. * Sample Room Management: Manage the golf footwear sample room across current, hype, and historical products to maintain organization and accessibility. * Product Copy: Manage the features and benefits copy process with the external copy agency across business-to-business and consumer-facing channels. * Sell-In Readiness: Support the development of sell-in assets for key go-to-market stages, including The Handover and GTMSO. * Competitive Analysis: Research competitor products, market conditions, consumer trends, and emerging technologies to identify consumer needs and future product opportunities. * Promotional Product: Lead the seasonal promotional order process, including full-year strategy, MSO versus promotional planning, article counts, order tracking, and execution for SPOMA, Brand Marketing, and regional teams. * Product Systems: Support MP, DMT, and the global line list to provide regional teams with timely and accurate product information throughout the season. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor's degree, preferably in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field. * Strong knowledge of golf footwear and the broader footwear industry. * Understanding of the footwear creation process, including lasts, materials, components, and development milestones. * Strong business acumen with an understanding of key financial metrics, including GIM, FOB, duty rates, wholesale and retail pricing, and net margin. * Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate product strategy and recommendations. * Strong presentation skills with the ability to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders. * Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and communication platforms simultaneously. * Ability to independently manage projects from initiation through completion with strong organization and attention to detail. * Ability to provide a clear point of view and contribute to product decision making and cross-functional alignment. * Ability to balance commercial and regional needs with overall product and design direction. * Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and other relevant business applications. * Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required. * Passion for sport, golf, product creation, and contributing to a high-performing team. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE * 3+ years of experience in footwear product creation, product marketing, product management, merchandising, or a related field. * Experience supporting seasonal footwear ranges from initial briefing through commercialization and go-to-market execution. * Experience working with global and regional teams within a matrixed organization. * Experience translating consumer, competitive, and market insights into product recommendations. * Experience managing footwear samples, product data, product copy, photography, or other seasonal go-to-market assets. WORK ENVIRONMENT This position follows the adidas hybrid work model and is based in Carlsbad, California. Employees are expected to work in the office Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. In-office attendance may be required on Fridays when the work requires a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation. The role operates in a fast-paced, collaborative global product creation environment with regular interaction across functions, regions, and seasonal development milestones. Domestic and international travel is required based on business needs. The working language for this position is English. REPORTING STRUCTURE This role works closely with the Global Footwear Manager, Senior Manager, and Global Footwear Director while supporting the broader global golf footwear organization. The position has significant cross-functional exposure and partners with Global Footwear Merchandising, CTC and Global Merchandising, Sports Marketing, Footwear Design and Development, Apparel, Legal, Brand Marketing, Finance, Digital and E-Commerce, external agency partners, and regional teams around the world. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS The anticipated base salary range for this position is $86,350 - $102,500. Actual salary will be based on various factors, including a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Eligible full-time employees may receive the following benefits, subject to applicable plan terms, eligibility requirements, policies, and formal plan documents. * Comprehensive medical coverage including HSA with employer funding or FSA options, dental, vision, and prescription plans. * Adoption, surrogate, and fertility support programs. * Short and long term disability coverage. * Basic life and AD and D insurance with supplemental employee paid options. * 401(k) plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match or applicable adidas contributions. * Education assistance for eligible full time employees. * Paid parental and other eligible leave programs. * Flexible Time Off accrued at 0.4388 hours per day for employees with less than five years of service, increasing with tenure. * Twelve Company-Designated paid holidays, including a Floating Holiday, plus milestone Service Time Off for eligible employees. * Employee product discounts and access to wellness and Employee Assistance programs. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY At adidas, we foster a workplace culture built on respect, collaboration, and opportunity where employees can grow, contribute, and perform at their best. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds because they strengthen our teams, drive innovation, and help us better serve athletes, consumers, and communities around the world. adidas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.