Product Line Manager, Footwear

Wilson Sporting Goods Co.•Berwyn, IL

7h•$100,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Product Line Manager, Footwear This hybrid position will be based at one of our US based office locations; Chicago, Portland or Los Angeles At Wilson, we are here to empower every human to live like an athlete. Passion. Creativity. Integrity. Teamwork. Ambition. Innovation. These are the qualities that have made Wilson Sporting Goods Co. the number one sports equipment brand in the world. We come together to win, grow, and celebrate. We all play for Team Wilson. We all have a role to play within our organization and are working towards the same goal. One team, one dream. We believe that being an athlete isn’t something you do, it’s who you are. It’s a universal code of conduct, a way of seeing the world and how you show up every day. We seek out diverse voices and welcome all perspectives. Our team is composed of individuals with unique backgrounds, points of view and experiences. These perspectives create a rich and diverse culture in which we learn from one another through empathy and inclusion. Evolving the sports world and being the best partner for players, athletes, and our community is no small task. We are continually looking to add enthusiastic, ambitious, team-first individuals who desire to make a difference —and who love to help others win. Together, we will create a better world through sport. Join us. The Product Line Manager, Footwear sits at the intersection of product strategy, athlete insight, and commercial execution. This role owns the global Performance Tennis footwear line and serves as a key leader within the product creation triad (Product Management, Design, and Development). This individual is responsible for defining the product vision, driving seasonal briefs, and ensuring performance footwear is validated at the highest level of the sport while delivering strong business results. The role requires deep understanding of performance footwear, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to translate athlete and consumer insight into actionable product direction.

Requirements

This role requires a Bachelor’s Degree; an advanced degree is preferred plus a minimum of 5 years of experience in product management / development, specific experience in performance footwear production creation is preferred.
Strong understanding of footwear construction, cushioning systems, uppers, outsoles, lasts, and fit.
Demonstrated ability to manage line plans, pricing, and margin targets.
Ability to translate qualitative feedback into structured product direction.
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-accountability environments.
Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross-functional partners.
Passion for tennis and performance sport required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with professional or elite athletes preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and manage the global Performance Tennis footwear line across all price tiers.
Develop seasonal and multi-year product roadmaps aligned to brand strategy and financial targets.
Define product briefs grounded in performance needs (fit, ride, traction, durability, stability).
Build clear line architecture, pricing strategies, and SKU rationalization.
Conduct seasonal business reviews and apply insights to future product plans.
Drive margin discipline and productivity across franchises.
Serve as a core member of the footwear product creation triad (Product Management, Design, Development) with shared accountability for innovation, quality, and calendar execution.
Lead product brief handoff and milestone reviews across concept, proto, and commercialization gates.
Partner closely with Design and Color to ensure cohesive storytelling and strong on-court identity.
Align with Development to deliver performance innovation on time and within cost targets.
Protect calendar discipline and ensure clear decision-making at key checkpoints.
Partner with professional tennis athletes as creative and performance muse to inform seasonal briefs and long-term innovation strategy.
Translate tour-level insight into compelling, scalable product concepts that serve the best players in tennis.
Leverage athlete validation to elevate product credibility and competitive positioning globally.
Collaborate with Sports Marketing to ensure on-court product expression reflects performance excellence and brand identity.
Ensure elite performance insights meaningfully shape commercial product direction.
Partner with Merchandising, Planning, Sourcing, Quality, and Marketing to ensure global alignment.
Ensure accurate line planning documentation and readiness for sell-in and launch.
Align product stories with global and geo-specific commercial priorities.
Support integrated Tennis 360 initiatives across Footwear, Apparel, and Equipment.
Mentor and support junior PLMs, strengthening product rigor and business acumen.
Elevate triad collaboration standards and cross-functional accountability.
Contribute to building scalable product management processes and tools.
Model clear ownership, disciplined execution, and strategic thinking