Senior Product & Design Manager - Mitre

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product & Design Manager

Company: Pentland Brands

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Management / Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-27

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development and execution of long-term product and design strategies for the Mitre brand, ensuring alignment with brand DNA and business objectives.

• Translate consumer insights, market trends, and brand direction into compelling product propositions, detailed design briefs, and innovative product ranges.

• Manage the end-to-end product creation lifecycle, from conceptualization through to launch readiness, collaborating closely with design, product development, and commercial teams.

• Drive cross-functional collaboration across marketing, sales, and sourcing to ensure product innovation meets market demands and commercial goals.

• Champion product quality, durability, sustainability, and performance for every level of the game, maintaining high standards in visual brand language and range architecture.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Product & Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean towards product strategy, category management, and driving the product roadmap for a specific brand (Mitre). This role is less about direct people management and more about strategic product leadership within a specialized GTM function. The emphasis on "operations" in this context refers to the operational execution of product strategy and development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and own the overarching product and design strategy for the Mitre brand, ensuring a cohesive and innovative product roadmap.

• Translate high-level brand direction and deep consumer/category insight into actionable product priorities and precise design briefs.

• Build, manage, and meticulously track brand critical paths, ensuring alignment with global go-to-market timelines and key milestones.

• Oversee the entire product design process, from initial concept ideation to final launch readiness, in close partnership with the product development and design teams.

• Ensure product direction is not only innovative and market-aligned but also deeply rooted in the Mitre brand's heritage and DNA.

• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with brand marketing, commercial teams, sales, and league partners to ensure product creation supports broader brand and business objectives.

• Develop compelling product stories and narratives that effectively support brand campaigns, retail activations, and sales enablement tools.

• Conduct regular range reviews, provide detailed sample feedback, guide color direction, and refine seasonal product edits to maintain an efficient and impactful product portfolio.

• Leverage consumer, competitor, and category insights to inform strategic product choices and optimize range efficiency.

• Uphold and elevate standards across visual brand language, systematic range architecture, and impactful product storytelling.

• Proactively track key product milestones, identify potential risks and dependencies, and escalate critical issues to relevant stakeholders early.

• Collaborate closely with sourcing and development teams to ensure designs are feasible, meet specification, and can be delivered within established timelines.

• Support league partners with product delivery and ensure product readiness for key sporting events and activations.

• Assist in the creation of essential product information, toolkits, and assets required by marketing and commercial departments.

• Coach, mentor, and brief the dedicated Designer, ensuring creative output is clear, timely, commercially viable, and aligned with strategic goals.

• Act as a champion for sustainable, responsible, and quality-led product choices, integrating these principles into the product range where strategically relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strategic, yet hands-on approach to product management within a consumer goods environment. The focus is on driving product innovation, market alignment, and operational execution of the product lifecycle. Keywords like "critical paths," "go-to-market timelines," "range reviews," and "sourcing and development teams" highlight the operational aspects of this product role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Marketing, Business, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this nature. Advanced degrees or certifications in product management or design can be advantageous.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product management, design strategy, category management, or product marketing, preferably within the sports apparel/footwear, or broader consumer goods industry. Demonstrated success in leading product strategy and execution for global brands is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in developing and executing comprehensive product and design strategies for consumer brands.

• Strong understanding of seasonal product calendars, range development processes, and design briefing methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to translate consumer and market insights into actionable product requirements and innovative design concepts.

• Accomplished operator with a proven track record of effective prioritization and project management.

• Instinctively commercial acumen, with a clear ability to identify market white space and capitalize on product opportunities.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to build strong relationships and influence across diverse internal and external teams.

• Deep understanding of brand identity and the ability to maintain brand DNA across product lines.

• Experience in managing the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept to launch. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the football (soccer) industry or a closely related sport.

• Familiarity with sustainable product development practices and materials.

• Proficiency in product lifecycle management (PLM) software.

• Experience working with international sourcing and manufacturing partners.

• Strong analytical skills for range performance review and optimization.

• Experience in coaching or mentoring junior design or product team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Accomplished operator" and "effectively prioritize" points, along with the need for "strong stakeholder management" and "hands-on, compact team" experience, suggest a need for efficient operational execution and process adherence. The experience requirement of 5-10 years aligns with a senior-level role focused on strategic oversight and execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating successful product strategy development and execution for consumer brands, ideally within sports or lifestyle categories.

• Each case study should clearly articulate the initial challenge or opportunity, the strategic approach taken, the product development process, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., sales performance, market share growth, brand perception improvements).

• Highlight examples of translating consumer insights and market trends into innovative product features, designs, or entire product lines.

• Include visual examples of product designs, range architecture, or marketing materials developed under your leadership, showcasing your ability to maintain brand identity.

• Demonstrate experience in managing product critical paths and ensuring on-time delivery of product launches. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples or descriptions of how you have structured and managed product design briefs, ensuring clarity, completeness, and alignment with strategic objectives.

• Illustrate experience in developing and implementing range review processes, including methods for analyzing performance, gathering feedback, and making strategic edits.

• Detail your approach to cross-functional collaboration, outlining how you facilitate communication and alignment between design, product development, marketing, and commercial teams to achieve shared goals.

• Describe your process for incorporating consumer, competitor, and category insights into product decision-making and range optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on product strategy and design execution, a portfolio is crucial. This section infers the need for tangible evidence of strategic thinking, process management, and successful product launches, emphasizing the operational delivery of product innovation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product & Design Manager role in London with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is between £65,000 and £90,000 per annum. This range is based on market research for similar roles in London's competitive consumer goods and sports industries, considering the hybrid work model and the scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.

• Discretionary bonus scheme, rewarding individual and company performance.

• Hybrid working model, offering flexibility between home and office.

• Flexible start and finish times to accommodate work-life balance.

• Generous holiday allowance, providing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

• Employee product discounts on Pentland Brands' extensive portfolio.

• Access to sample sales for exclusive product opportunities.

• Enhanced family-friendly policies, supporting employees through significant life events.

• Comprehensive healthcare support, including access to medical services.

• Gym and fitness discounts, promoting employee well-being.

• Cycle to work scheme, encouraging sustainable commuting.

• Electric car scheme, offering a greener transportation option.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with the added benefit of flexible start and finish times, allowing for greater autonomy in managing the workday.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on typical London compensation for senior roles in this sector and the provided benefits, a salary estimate has been generated. The benefits list is directly extracted from the provided input, highlighting the comprehensive package offered by Pentland Brands. The working hours are inferred from standard full-time employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pentland Brands operates within the global sports, active, and lifestyle apparel and footwear industry. This sector is characterized by rapid trend cycles, a strong emphasis on brand storytelling, innovation in materials and performance, and a competitive landscape driven by consumer demand for quality, durability, and increasingly, sustainability. The Mitre brand specifically focuses on football (soccer) products, requiring deep understanding of the sport's nuances and community.

Company Size: Pentland Brands is a global family business with a significant presence, employing a substantial number of people across its various brands and functions. This scale suggests a structured organization with established processes, but also opportunities for cross-brand collaboration and influence. For operations professionals, this means working within a framework that values efficiency and strategic alignment across a diverse portfolio.

Founded: Mitre's heritage dates back to 1817, making it one of the oldest sports brands. Pentland Brands, as a family business, has a long-standing history of building and nurturing iconic brands. This deep heritage implies a culture that values tradition, quality, and long-term vision, while also embracing innovation to stay relevant in a dynamic market.

Team Structure:

• The product and design team for Mitre is described as "hands-on" and "compact," suggesting a lean, agile structure where individuals wear multiple hats and collaboration is direct and frequent.

• The Senior Product & Design Manager will likely report to a Brand Director or Head of Product for Mitre, with a direct line of interaction with a dedicated Designer.

• Cross-functional collaboration will be extensive, involving marketing, commercial teams, sales, sourcing, product development, and potentially external partners like league organizations. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the responsibility to use "consumer, competitor and category insight" to shape product choices and maintain an efficient range.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to managing "critical paths," "go-to-market timelines," and ensuring "launch readiness."

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely encouraged, especially within a "compact team" environment where maximizing output is key.

Company Website: https://careers.pentland.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company and industry context is derived from the provided description and general knowledge of the sports apparel sector. The emphasis on heritage, quality, and the "real game" for Mitre suggests a culture that values authenticity and performance. The "compact team" description highlights an operational environment focused on agility and direct contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Senior" management position, indicating a significant level of autonomy, strategic responsibility, and expected impact. It signifies a move beyond tactical execution to shaping the strategic direction of product and design for a global brand. Operations professionals at this level are expected to drive efficiency, optimize processes, and influence business outcomes through well-executed product strategies.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product & Design Manager will likely report to a higher-level brand leader (e.g., Brand Director, Head of Product) and will have direct influence over the work of a dedicated Designer. Collaboration will be extensive across multiple departments, requiring strong interpersonal skills to navigate different functional priorities.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the success of the Mitre brand's product portfolio. By leading product strategy and ensuring innovative, market-right products are brought to market, this role significantly influences revenue generation, brand perception, market share, and customer loyalty within the football segment. Effective operations in product development and launch directly translate to commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Product Leadership: Potential to advance to a Brand Director or Head of Product role, overseeing broader product portfolios or multiple brands within Pentland Brands.

• Strategic Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in global product strategy, market entry, and brand lifecycle management.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to move into broader commercial or marketing leadership roles by leveraging a deep understanding of product and market dynamics.

• Mentorship & Team Building: As a senior member, there's an opportunity to mentor junior team members and contribute to building a high-performing product and design function.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and impact for an operations-minded professional in a product leadership role. The "senior" designation implies strategic oversight, and the emphasis on brand success highlights the commercial impact of efficient product operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The final interview stage is in-person at the company's office, suggesting a primary work environment that is office-based, with the role being designated as Hybrid. This indicates a blend of remote work flexibility and in-office collaboration.

Office Location(s): The role is based at 77 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8JS. This central London location offers good accessibility via public transport and places the team within a vibrant business district.

Workspace Context:

• The "hands-on, compact team" description suggests a collaborative and potentially fast-paced workspace where direct communication and teamwork are prioritized.

• Expect access to standard office amenities and potentially specialized design or product development tools, though specific software is detailed in its own section.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues across various departments are likely, fostering a dynamic and integrated work environment.

Work Schedule: The role offers flexible start and finish times, allowing operations professionals to manage their schedules effectively around core working hours and personal commitments, while still ensuring the 40-hour work week is met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are inferred from the interview process description and general knowledge of hybrid work models in London. The focus is on how the environment supports operational efficiency and collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Talent Team Intro Call: A 30-minute initial screening to assess basic fit, understand candidate expectations, and answer initial questions about the role and company. Preparation should focus on a concise overview of relevant experience and clear articulation of career aspirations.

• Experience Interview: A deeper dive with the hiring manager to explore skills, experience, and approach. Candidates should prepare specific examples demonstrating their product strategy, design leadership, consumer insight translation, and cross-functional collaboration abilities. Be ready to discuss how you've managed critical paths and GTM timelines.

• Final Interview: An in-person interview at the office to meet more of the team, engage in deeper discussions, and potentially a practical application. This stage assesses cultural fit and allows for a more in-depth demonstration of capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your strategic vision for Mitre's product and how you would operate within their team structure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Case Study Selection: Choose 3-4 impactful case studies that best represent your experience in product strategy, design leadership, and market execution. Prioritize examples where you demonstrably translated insights into successful product outcomes.

• Process Demonstration: For each case study, clearly articulate the product development process you followed, highlighting your role in managing critical paths, design briefs, and cross-functional alignment. Use visual aids where appropriate.

• Metric-Driven Results: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Present data on sales performance, market share impact, consumer engagement, or efficiency gains resulting from your product strategies.

• Brand Alignment: Show how your work aligns with brand DNA and strategic objectives. For Mitre, emphasize your understanding of football, quality, and durability.

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio as a narrative, explaining the journey from challenge to solution to outcome, showcasing your strategic thinking and operational execution.

Challenge Preparation:

• Expect potential case study or hypothetical scenario questions during the Experience or Final Interview stages. These might involve:

  • Developing a product strategy for a new segment or addressing a market gap for Mitre.
  • Outlining a plan to improve the efficiency of the product development process.
  • Presenting a range review proposal for an existing product line.

• Prepare to articulate your thought process, key considerations, and how you would operationalize your proposed solutions. Focus on demonstrating commercial acumen, strategic foresight, and an understanding of cross-functional dependencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on how to present their experience and qualifications effectively, particularly regarding portfolio and interview preparation, aligning with the operational nature of product strategy and execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software: Experience with systems like Centric PLM, PTC FlexPLM, or similar platforms is highly beneficial for managing product data, specifications, and workflows.

• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools such as Asana, Trello, Jira, or Monday.com is essential for managing critical paths, tracking tasks, and coordinating across teams.

• Design Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), or similar tools used for design concept development and review.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with Excel for data manipulation and analysis, and potentially BI tools like Tableau or Power BI for visualizing product performance data.

• Consumer Insight Platforms: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for gathering and analyzing consumer feedback, market research data, and competitor analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly customer-facing, an understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) might inform product strategy and how marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot) support product launches would be advantageous.

• Integration Tools: Awareness of how different systems (PLM, ERP, CRM) might integrate to streamline product data flow and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers the likely technology stack based on the role's responsibilities in product management, design, and cross-functional operations. Proficiency in PLM and project management tools is critical for operational efficiency in product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Durability: A core value for Mitre, emphasizing the importance of creating products that perform reliably and last, reflecting a commitment to operational excellence in manufacturing and design.

• Efficiency & Agility: Given the "compact team" and need to manage critical paths, there's an inherent value placed on efficient workflows, quick decision-making, and the ability to adapt to market demands.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on consumer, competitor, and category insight underscores a value for using data to inform product strategy and range optimization, ensuring operational decisions are grounded in evidence.

• Collaboration & Communication: Essential for a cross-functional role, valuing open communication, clear briefs, and effective partnerships across departments to ensure seamless product execution.

• Innovation with Purpose: Driving innovation that is relevant to the "real game" and meets specific performance needs, rather than innovation for its own sake.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where product and design teams work closely with marketing, sales, and development to ensure a unified go-to-market strategy.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that likely encourages constructive feedback loops to continuously improve product designs, processes, and timelines.

• Knowledge Sharing: Within a compact team, sharing insights, best practices, and learnings is crucial for collective growth and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates team culture and values based on the company's description of Mitre, the role's responsibilities, and typical dynamics in a compact, cross-functional product team. It emphasizes how these values translate into operational behaviors.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Heritage with Innovation: Ensuring that new product designs and strategies respect Mitre's long heritage while also pushing boundaries to meet modern performance demands and consumer expectations.

• Global Market Complexity: Navigating diverse international market needs, regulations, and consumer preferences for football products across different regions.

• Supply Chain & Lead Times: Managing complex global supply chains to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products, especially with stringent deadlines for sporting seasons.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively managing priorities and communication across multiple departments with potentially competing objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Product Strategy: Deepen expertise in global product portfolio management and strategic brand positioning.

• Sustainability in Sports Product: Develop specialized knowledge in sustainable materials, manufacturing processes, and ethical sourcing within the sports industry.

• Digital Product Development: Explore emerging technologies and digital tools that can enhance product design, development, and consumer engagement.

• Leadership Development: Gain experience in mentoring teams and influencing strategic decisions at a higher organizational level.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the industry, role seniority, and specific brand context. Growth opportunities are framed around advancing within product operations and leadership roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a long-term product strategy for a brand with a strong heritage like Mitre. How would you balance innovation with brand DNA?" (Focus on strategic planning, insight utilization, and brand alignment.)

• "Walk me through a time you translated complex consumer insights into a successful product brief and design direction. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Prepare a STAR method response highlighting your process and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration between product design, development, marketing, and sales teams to achieve go-to-market timelines? Provide an example." (Emphasize your cross-functional operational management and communication strategies.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the Mitre brand and its position in the football market? How do you see yourself contributing to its future product success?" (Research Mitre's current product lines, market position, and recent campaigns.)

• "Describe your experience working in a 'hands-on, compact team.' How do you thrive in such an environment, and what are its advantages and disadvantages from an operational perspective?" (Show your adaptability and understanding of operational efficiency in lean teams.)

• "How do you measure the success of a product strategy beyond sales figures? What metrics are important to you for assessing product performance and brand impact?" (Discuss KPIs related to product quality, consumer satisfaction, market share, and brand perception.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Narrative: For each case study, start with the objective, outline your strategic approach and operational execution, and conclude with quantifiable results.

• Visual Appeal: Use high-quality images of products, designs, or marketing materials where appropriate. Ensure any charts or graphs are clear and easy to interpret.

• Process Focus: Clearly explain the steps you took, the tools you used, and how you managed the process from start to finish, emphasizing efficiency and problem-solving.

• Mitre Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight experiences most relevant to Mitre – football, quality, durability, and global market considerations.

• Interactive Engagement: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your decisions, the trade-offs you made, and how you would apply your learnings to Mitre.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to the specific role, company, and industry, focusing on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational execution, and brand alignment relevant to a Senior Product & Design Manager.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-centric product leadership position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Pentland Brands careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your strongest case studies that demonstrate successful product strategy development, design leadership, and operational execution within the sports or consumer goods sector. Ensure these examples clearly show how you translated insights into market-ready products.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as "product strategy," "design briefing," "critical paths," "go-to-market timelines," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method, focusing on scenarios that showcase your ability to manage product lifecycles, drive innovation, and collaborate effectively. Prepare specific examples for the types of questions outlined in the "Interview Preparation" section.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Pentland Brands, its portfolio of brands (especially Mitre), its company values, and its market position. Understand their commitment to quality, durability, and the "real game" to demonstrate your alignment during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.