Assistant Product Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Assistant Product Manager - Accessories & Brand Licensing

🔹 Company: New Balance

🔹 Location: Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Apparel & Fashion

🔹 Date Posted: June 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting day-to-day communication with brand licensors to ensure alignment on product approvals, brand guidelines, and seasonal storytelling.
• Managing the product lifecycle from concept to delivery, tracking samples, updating line plans, and keeping milestones on track.
• Ensuring the accuracy of product data across systems and timelines, monitoring for discrepancies, and proactively resolving issues.
• Helping track and manage go-to-market deliverables to ensure assets are completed and distributed on time.
• Supporting sales teams by ensuring they have the right product information, tools, and timelines to succeed.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational and project management skills, as well as a keen eye for detail and a collaborative mindset. Candidates should be comfortable working with data systems and digital tools.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Licensing Partner Communication: Support day-to-day communication with brand licensors to ensure alignment on product approvals, brand guidelines, and seasonal storytelling.

✅ Product Development Support: Assist in managing the product lifecycle from concept to delivery—tracking samples, updating line plans, and keeping milestones on track.

✅ Data Management & Integrity: Own the accuracy of product data—attributes, pricing, colorways, and style details—across systems and timelines. Monitor for discrepancies and proactively resolve issues before they become roadblocks.

✅ Go-to-Market Readiness: Help track and manage GTM deliverables to ensure assets are completed and distributed on time. Participate in seasonal GTM meetings and line reviews—capturing feedback, surfacing insights, and driving continuous improvement.

✅ Support Sales & Merchandising: Ensure sales teams have the right product info, tools, and timelines to succeed. Help prepare sell-in materials and assist in aligning product stories with market needs.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves working across teams and time zones, balancing the details while keeping an eye on the big picture. Candidates should be proactive, adaptable, and always looking for a better way to do things.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Marketing, or Fashion) or equivalent experience.

Experience: 1-2 years of experience in product management, merchandising, or a related role.

Required Skills:

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• A passion for product and a sharp eye for detail.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to roll up sleeves and figure things out.
• Comfort with data systems, spreadsheets, and digital tools (bonus if you’ve worked with PLM or ERP platforms).
• Startup mentality—proactive, adaptable, and always looking for a better way to do things.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with brand licensing or accessories product management.
• Familiarity with the apparel and footwear industry.

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, candidates with experience in brand licensing or accessories product management may have an advantage in this role. Familiarity with the apparel and footwear industry is also beneficial.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 per year (Based on industry standards for Assistant Product Manager roles with 0-2 years of experience in the Boston area)

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401K
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Online Learning and Development Courses
• Student Loan Support
• Mentorship Programs
• Lifestyle Reimbursement ($1,000 per year)
• Vacation (4 weeks per year)
• Holidays (12 per year)
• Parental Leave

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a flexible hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Boston area. Benefits are comprehensive and include traditional benefits as well as nontraditional perks that encourage associate growth and work-life balance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Apparel & Fashion

Company Size: Small (15 employees)

Founded: 1906

Company Description:

• New Balance is a global athletic footwear and apparel company that empowers people through sport and craftsmanship.
• The company fosters a culture where every associate feels welcomed and respected, and leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow.
• New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package, as well as nontraditional perks that encourage associate growth and work-life balance.

Company Specialties:

• Footwear
• Apparel
• Accessories

Company Website: https://www.newbalance.com/

ASSUMPTION: New Balance is a well-established company in the athletic footwear and apparel industry, with a strong focus on craftsmanship and empowering people through sport. The company values diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Entry-level to Mid-level

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Product Manager - Accessories & Brand Licensing.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

Growth Opportunities:

• This role offers opportunities to learn about brand licensing, accessories product management, and the apparel and footwear industry.
• As the company grows, there may be opportunities for advancement into more senior roles within the product management team.

ASSUMPTION: This role is well-suited for candidates seeking to gain experience in product management, brand licensing, or the apparel and footwear industry. It offers opportunities for growth and development within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

Office Location(s): Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB)

Geographic Context:

• Boston, MA is a vibrant, historic city with a strong sports culture and a thriving arts scene.
• The company's headquarters is located in the heart of Boston, offering easy access to public transportation, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a flexible hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing associates to enjoy the best of both worlds.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR team
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with the product management team

Key Assessment Areas:

• Product management skills
• Communication and collaboration abilities
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Attention to detail and data management

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Be prepared to discuss your passion for product and your ability to manage details while keeping an eye on the big picture.
• Demonstrate your collaborative mindset and willingness to roll up your sleeves and figure things out.

ATS Keywords: Product Management, Brand Licensing, Accessories, Data Management, Project Management, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Detail Orientation, Organizational Skills, Adaptability, Digital Tools, PLM, ERP, Creativity, Teamwork, Market Alignment

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, as New Balance is a well-established company with a strong brand. Candidates should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills and be prepared to demonstrate their fit for the role during the interview process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system
• Spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Jira)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the company's internal systems and processes. Candidates should be comfortable learning and adapting to new tools as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Empowerment
• Craftsmanship
• Inclusion

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Adaptable
• Proactive

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy solving problems?
• Are you detail-oriented and comfortable managing data?
• Do you have a startup mentality and enjoy finding better ways to do things?

ASSUMPTION: New Balance values associates who are collaborative, adaptable, and proactive. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and enjoy solving problems. A strong attention to detail and a startup mentality are also important for success in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• This role may require working with tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Candidates may need to adapt to working with brand licensors and balancing their expectations with the company's goals.
• The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges for candidates who prefer a fully remote or fully on-site work environment.
• The company's small size may limit opportunities for advancement within the product management team.

ASSUMPTION: While this role offers many opportunities for growth and development, candidates should be aware of the potential challenges associated with working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects, and adapting to a hybrid work arrangement.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to an Assistant Brand Manager or Junior Product Manager role within the apparel and fashion industry.
• However, this role has a specific focus on brand licensing and accessories product management.
• Career paths for this role may include advancement into more senior product management roles or transition into brand licensing or accessories-specific roles.

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other assistant or junior product management roles, its focus on brand licensing and accessories product management sets it apart. Candidates should consider their long-term career goals when applying for this role.

📝 Sample Projects

• Managing the product lifecycle for a new line of licensed accessories
• Collaborating with brand licensors to develop seasonal storytelling and product approvals
• Tracking and managing go-to-market deliverables for a major product launch

ASSUMPTION: The specific projects assigned to this role may vary depending on the company's product pipeline and brand licensing agreements. However, candidates can expect to work on projects that involve managing the product lifecycle, collaborating with brand licensors, and ensuring go-to-market readiness.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical product lifecycle for a licensed accessory, and what my role would be in managing that process?
• How does the company support the growth and development of its product management team members?
• What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the brand licensing team in the coming year, and how would this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does the company balance the need for detail-oriented project management with the broader strategic goals of the product management team?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does that manifest in this role?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should use the interview process to gain a deeper understanding of the role's day-to-day responsibilities, the company's growth and development opportunities, and the broader strategic goals of the product management team. They should also inquire about the company's approach to work-life balance and how it manifests in this role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the New Balance careers page
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare for your interview by researching the company and practicing common interview questions.
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
• If selected for the final interview round, be prepared to discuss your approach to managing details while keeping an eye on the big picture, as well as your collaborative mindset and willingness to roll up your sleeves and figure things out.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.