Director, Product Management (Walking/Waterfront)

The Director of Product Management at KEEN Footwear in Portland, OR, leads the product strategy for multiple footwear categories, focusing on innovation and sustainability. This senior role involves overseeing product lifecycle management, financial performance, and cross-functional collaboration. The director champions consumer-centric innovation, mentors a high-performing team, and conducts market analysis to enhance product relevance and profitability while aligning with the company's mission.
Job Summary

The Director, Product Management leads the vision, strategy, and execution of the product roadmap for multiple footwear categories, aligning with KEEN’s mission to innovate with conscience. This role sets the strategic direction across lifecycle stages, ensuring product relevance, financial targets, and competitive positioning in the global market. As a senior leader, the Director works cross-functionally to drive growth through a robust product strategy, in-market innovation, and alignment with marketing and operational goals.

Essential Functions

Vision & Leadership
• Develops and communicates the overarching product strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment with the company’s long-term goals and brand ethos of “Consciously Created” sustainable products.
• Champions consumer-centric innovation, leveraging consumer insights, market trends, and competitor analysis to guide the product strategy across lifecycle stages.
• Establishes cross-functional partnerships with Engineering, Design, PD, Marketing, and Sales to ensure product launches align with business objectives and are operationally feasible.
Product Lifecycle Management
• Oversees the full lifecycle for product lines within the footwear category, from concept and design through market introduction and end-of-life strategy.
• Identifies opportunities for category innovation, especially within key growth areas such as lightweight, performance-oriented, and sustainable footwear.
• Guides prioritization based on consumer feedback, sales performance, and strategic brand goals to achieve maximum lifecycle value.
Financial and Operational Execution
• Owns the P&L for assigned categories, meeting or exceeding revenue and gross margin targets in alignment with the annual operating plan.
• Leads product costing efforts to optimize profitability without compromising quality or brand standards; develop strategies to enhance SKU productivity and profitability.
• Collaborates with Sales and Marketing to refine GTM strategies and launch new collections with compelling positioning and high potential for in-market success.
Team Development & Cross-Functional Leadership
• Builds and mentors a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and consumer focus.
• Drives continuous improvement and skills development within the product team and promote cross-functional collaboration.
• Provides direction to team members and direct reports, supporting them in developing data-driven product plans and identifying growth opportunities.
Data-Driven Decision-Making & Market Analysis
• Leads consumer and market research initiatives, gathering insights on evolving customer preferences, market dynamics, and sustainability trends.
• Defines and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) for the product portfolio, including sales performance, profitability, and product vitality, using insights to adapt the product strategy proactively.
• Conducts competitive analyses to understand emerging trends and inform product planning with actionable insights.
Brand Advocacy and Product Promotion
• Represents the footwear category in executive briefings, product presentations, and industry events, promoting the brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
• Acts as a spokesperson for KEEN, articulating product strategy and vision internally and to key external stakeholders, including media, trade partners, and consumers.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree, MBA or advanced degree in business, product development, or related field preferred.
• Footwear & Sustainability Expertise: In-depth understanding of the footwear industry, including lifecycle management, sustainable design, and knowledge of consumer insights tools.
• Financial Acumen: Proven track record in managing P&L, with strong financial analysis skills to drive strategic and financial outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, including Design, Marketing, Sales, and Operations, ensuring integrated execution of product strategies.
• Analytical and Strategic Mindset: Experience in data analysis, competitive research, and applying insights to refine strategy; adept with analytics tools and MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint).

Travel Required:Yes, up to 20% of work time to engage with key accounts, attend industry events, and conduct on-site product development activities.

Base Salary:$170,000.00 - $185,000.00 yearly
This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: experience, knowledge and skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.

Why Work at KEEN:Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Foundedin 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal, and has donatedmore than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation,includingconservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business.By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protectthe places where we work and play,KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.

KEEN Footwear is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.