Product Manager

About the Role:

Endless Summer Technologies, a subsidiary to Johnson Outdoors requires a Product Manager to be based at their Durban site. The person in this role manages the successful development of products to meet consumer needs. Ensures cross‑functional alignment and oversees the successful delivery of features and functionality that drive product value. Involved in close collaboration with engineering, design, marketing, brand, and sales teams to ensure that product initiatives are executed effectively and deliver measurable results.

Accountable for monitoring product performance, analyzing data to inform decisions, and continuously refining the product to maintain competitive advantage and consumer relevance.

• Oversees the product development lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Partners and supports cross functional team in developing comprehensive product launch plans.
• Partners with brand and marketing teams to ensure product features align with consumer expectations and brand promise.
• Coordinates with engineering, design, operations, brand and marketing teams to ensure product success.
• Partners with engineering and cross functionally to ensure a timely delivery and a successful launch.

• Provides the sales team with detailed product information and training to support go‑to‑market efforts.

• Monitors and analyzes product performance using data‑driven insights.
• Conducts competitive analysis and makes informed decisions to optimize product features and positioning.

• Participates with brand in understanding consumer feedback and concept product fit to ensure product features deliver consumer promise.

• Translates customer needs, business goals, and technical constraints into clear, actionable product features and user stores.
• Collaborate with Industrial designers, engineers, and stakeholders to define features that solve real user problems. Ensures alignment with the product vision and roadmap.

• Supports brand on technical, feature, and product aspects of launches.

• Defines and maintains a compelling product vision and roadmap aligned with business goals.
• Ensures product strategy viability through continuous market analysis.

• Reflects consumer insights, needs and market opportunities in product requirements.
• Translates insights into clear product requirements and user stories that guide development.

• Facilitates product innovation and development of new features that solve consumer needs delivering product value through features, functionality, and performance.

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, engineering or equivalent.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in product management in outdoor apparel or a consumer durable goods industry.
• Proven experience utilizing market insights, market research and data analysis to understand consumer needs, and market opportunities as it related to product requirements.
• Comprehensive understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and product lifecycle management including go‑to‑market strategies and product launch best practices.
• Skills and abilities
  
  to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously from product conception to launch which includes supporting the development of innovative, profitable products and successfully bringing the product to market.
• Demonstrated success and experience developing new and improving existing product plans which increase profitability and consumer attainment/engagement.
• Advanced consulting and leadership skills to effectively lead the execution of product strategy and partner with various teams to implement products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with diverse individuals internally and externally. Advanced consulting skills and ability to partners with cross‑functional teams to ensure the successful launch and performance of our products.
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office suite including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.