Ralph Lauren Product Management Manager, Luxury Footwear

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

The Product Management Manager, Luxury Footwear, is responsible for leading the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept through commercialization and bulk production. This role partners closely with Design, Development, Sourcing, Planning, and regional teams to deliver brand-right, commercially viable footwear collections that meet luxury standards for quality, craftsmanship, and performance. The ideal candidate combines strategic product leadership with operational excellence-driving calendar discipline, data integrity, and vendor collaboration-while supporting both seasonal execution and long-term business objectives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept through commercialization and bulk production, ensuring timely, brand-right, and commercially viable delivery
• Act as a key cross-functional partner to Design, Development, Sourcing, Planning, and regional teams, aligning product vision, financial targets, and execution against seasonal and long-term goals
• Own seasonal product calendars and milestones, proactively identifying risks and driving resolution to maintain on-time sample and production readiness
• Oversee sample and production coordination across proto, SMS, and SRS phases, including sales sample PO creation, factory handoff, and status tracking
• Drive operational excellence and data governance within PLM systems, maintaining accurate product frameworks, BOMs, costing, and attributes
• Partner with Sourcing and Development to support costing alignment, margin targets, and feasibility without compromising luxury quality standards
• Support and coordinate seasonal material development, ensuring material readiness, organized libraries, and cross-functional alignment
• Lead commercialization readiness by tracking master approvals, coordinating fit sessions, wear testing, and risk reviews, and ensuring smooth handoff to bulk production
• Ensure all product meets brand standards for quality, fit, craftsmanship, and performance prior to production approval
• Own accuracy and completeness of product data for e-commerce, digital, and retail channels, including attributes and HTS classifications
• Manage key operational processes, including invoice processing and vendor coordination, while fostering strong factory and regional partnerships
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, timelines, and systems in support of scalability and long-term product management excellence
  
  

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Product management, product development, or merchandising experience within luxury footwear, accessories, or apparel
• Proven experience managing end-to-end product execution in a fast-paced, seasonal environment
• Strong understanding of footwear development, materials, construction, and factory processes
• Demonstrated ability to balance creative vision with commercial, operational, and financial considerations
• Advanced proficiency in PLM systems, product data management, and cross-functional workflow coordination
• Experience partnering with global vendors and regional teams across development and production cycles
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and communication skills with a high attention to detail
• Confident decision-maker with the ability to anticipate risk, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple timelines
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority
• Passion for luxury product, craftsmanship, and brand integrity