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Category Manager, Professional Apparel 

Top Management

Global category manager with a passion for delivering products that enhance consumer experiences. Proven team leader who strives to execute and achieve strategic goals. Analytical professional skilled in successfully navigating corporations large and small through periods of accelerated growth. Collaborative communicator continually focused on building relationships and promoting synergy across business lines

-Work closely with product creation partners and cross functional partners to make purpose-built gear that meet the company’s innovation objectives and financial targets
-Provide category insights and present new market opportunities by analyzing marketing and customer data and monitoring relevant market conditions
-Collaborate with Director Category Manager and Marketing counterparts to integrate market & consumer insights 
-Responsible for global market research on competition, assortment, pricing & features
-Drive seasonal line planning ideation, development, and briefs
-Devise future seasonal product roadmaps and long-term development strategies for assigned product categories
-Participate in product development meetings with end users
-Determine optimal pricing through analysis of sales trends, competitors and buying habits 
-Collaborate with department leaders throughout commercialization, meeting timelines, assuring product price, segmentation, SKU count, and launch dates are aligned based on seasonal briefs 
-Partner with Design and Product Development to facilitate the development of style, materials, and branding 
-Responsible for maintaining product category VLPs (Visual Line Plans) 
-Support sales with product training and presentations to key accounts; Maintain seasonal merchandising stories in product, applications, colors and technology
-Be the subject matter expert on the product, industry, trends, and opportunities
Support product lifecycle for the global assortment by partnering with channel and regional leaders to analyze new and carry-over products
-Support marketing team on promotions and marketing activities to improve market share
-Present at product line reviews and product clinics 
-Continually look for and contribute to product innovation and technologies
-Understand requirements for compliance to brand, regulatory, and other standards to include ANSI, EN, FR and country-specific regulations 


Responsible for managing all aspects of product planning including market research, ROI analysis, product requirements and roadmap development. Serve as voice of the customer

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
•	Launched logowear product line including vendor sourcing and graphic design generating 100K revenue in first year.
•	Executed planning and development of new Hunt and Camp product categories.	
•	Developed five year new product categories strategy roadmap to meet company market expansion and revenue goals.


Global Product Line Manager

Responsible for managing all global apparel, bags and accessories product lines, product design, development, sourcing, budget, and margin. Established new product development calendar and feedback milestones for more cohesive product iteration and launch. A member of the leadership team and key voice in strategic planning.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
•	Increased overall profitability $5M over three years.
•	Launched recreational fishing technical sportswear line generating $2M in   annual sales and award-winning products.	
•	Retooled current product line sourcing, materials and design resulting in an 11% increase in overall product margins.
•	Multiple season product collaboration with Dark Seas Division (Obey).
•	Product Innovation Awards in 2016, 2018.


Global Product Director

Responsible for managing product creation cycle from concept through design and development to final product for the following assigned men’s and women’s product lines: Ski, Snowboard, Mountain Bike, Water, Sportswear and Accessories generating $118M in annual sales. Managed and distributed all product logistics through entire product life cycle: line lists, sales sample buy, product grids, workbooks, assortment plans and hangtags.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
•	Conceived and launched Steep Series collection, with award-winning products that generated $12M in annual sales.
•	Managed the athlete team product development and testing process including the partnership with the USSA and USOC to develop the US Freeskiing Team uniforms for 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
•	Developed and launched first product collaboration between Reef and North Face.
•	Multiple Product Awards in different categories between 2011-2014.


Sr. Product Manager

Responsible for management of all snowboard and accessories product lines. Directed all aspects of planning, budget, and design of all media assets including print advertising, website, and consumer/dealer catalogs. Planned and managed all tradeshows, promotional events and media public relations in the US and Europe. Collaborated with Sales Director to develop and execute regional sales strategies to meet annual sales targets.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
•	Formed investor group to purchase Winterstick Snowboards trademark and form new company.
•	Increased Western Regional sales by 15% generating an additional 200k in additional revenue.
•	Developed a 25 member global team rider roster which included contract negotiation, media asset gathering, promotional appearances, and product feedback process.


Product, Sales and Marketing Manager

Key member in the development and launch of a pioneering professional online sales marketplace servicing the action sports and outdoor industry. Enlisted outdoor and action sports brands to be suppliers to the online sales platform. Marketed and recruited qualified industry members and suppliers via online, phone, and at industry tradeshows. Managed registration, approval, and service of member accounts.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
•	Grew number of new supplier accounts 50% in first year and 10% over the next three years.
•	Drove new member services development, testing, and deployment resulting in 10% added sales


Account Manager

Eric Tietje is a Category Manager, Professional Apparel at 5.11 Tactical in Kingston, WA.

Eric Tietje

Eric Tietje

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