Derek Foster
Beaverton,OR
Summary
Dynamic and driven professional with a diverse and broad experience in the athletic footwear and apparel industry. Proven track record of leading teams to excellence through strategic vision, collaboration, and thorough communication. Passionate about sports and dedicated to creating performance products that empower consumers to achieve their best. Continually driven by a transformative mission to make a meaningful impact in the industry.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Product Line Manager, Signature Footwear - Jordan Brand
Nike, Inc.
11.2020 - 06.2024
- Led cross-functional product team in the creation of footwear line for three of the Brand's signature NBA athletes; Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson and Russell Westbrook.
- Managed the creation and go-to-market strategy for the first three models of the Jayson Tatum line, effectively onboarding the athlete to the product creation process.
- As the teams product marketing expert, leveraged the passion for extracting consumer and athlete insights to create compelling product, color and story briefs to design teammates.
- Managed yearly fiscal revenue targets, respective of all three athletes, totaling 40 SKU's/$114M USD revenue.
- Enterprise leader - effectively conveyed product intent and strategies to downstream corporate functions such as Brand Marketing and Sales.
Product Line Specialist - Licensed Footwear (NFL/NCAA/MLB)
Nike, Inc.
05.2016 - 11.2020
- Created a strategic framework for a new sub-category within Nike Cleated called Licensed Footwear, aligning best enterprise models in Running, Training and Lifestyle with the most important Nike teams in the NFL, MLB and NCAA.
- Drove cross-categorical alignment with Product Marketing and Development Leadership on a vision to drive incremental distribution and growth for coveted Nike Icon footwear models.
- Managed 87 unique footwear SKU's in a fiscal year across the three leagues. Accounted for $21M in revenue.
- Partnered with NFL and college equipment managers to champion Nike product and ensure on-field adoption of Licensed footwear, thus enabling connectivity between athlete and consumer.
Associate Footwear Merchant - Cleated
Nike, Inc.
10.2012 - 05.2016
- Managed the seasonal introduction, depth and flow of footwear product into the marketplace for American Football and Baseball.
- Created assortment frameworks that informed footwear creation counterparts to build product lines that met and exceeded category sales targets, inclusive of tier and price point within all levels of marketplace distribution.
- Led an amplified football experience at Foot, Inc retail concept doors by creating cross categorical assortments (Lifestyle, Training and Cleated) that served the US high school football athlete.
Education
B.A. in Sociology -
Lewis & Clark College
Portland, ORSkills
- Product marketing
- Product development
- Merchandising strategies
- Cross functional Team Leadership
- Team Management
- Consumer behavior
- Strategic Communication
- Strategic Vision
- Data-driven decision making
- Adobe Creative Suite
Additional Information
North America, Retail Brand Marketing - Product Presentation Specialist - Basketball
North America, Retail Brand Marketing - Visual Presentation Specialist - Sportswear
North America, Retail Brand Marketing - Visual Presentation Specialist - Performance Footwear
Awards
NAIA first team All American - Basketball
2x Lewis & Clark College Athletics Hall of Fame member (individual and team)
Timeline
Sr. Product Line Manager, Signature Footwear - Jordan Brand
Nike, Inc.
11.2020 - 06.2024
Product Line Specialist - Licensed Footwear (NFL/NCAA/MLB)
Nike, Inc.
05.2016 - 11.2020
Associate Footwear Merchant - Cleated
Nike, Inc.
10.2012 - 05.2016
B.A. in Sociology -
Lewis & Clark College
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