Global Head of Product (Softline)

About JOOLA

JOOLA is a globally recognised table tennis and pickleball brand with an expanding presence across Asia-Pacific. With over 70 years of heritage in racket sports and a strong commitment to innovation, we create products and experiences for players at every level - from everyday enthusiasts to elite athletes competing at the highest levels of the sport.

As JOOLA continues to grow, so do the opportunities for our people. Our expanding regional business offers exposure across markets, functions and cultures, as well as the chance to take on broader responsibilities and help build new capabilities. We want our people to develop alongside the organisation by deepening their expertise, broadening their experience and taking on new challenges as opportunities emerge.

We combine the energy and ownership of an entrepreneurial environment with the ambition of a global brand. At JOOLA, you will be encouraged to contribute ideas, work across boundaries and make a visible impact - not only within your role, but also on the next stage of our growth.

Our global headquarters is based in the United States, and our Asia-Pacific headquarters is based in Singapore.

Take your Next Step with JOOLA

JOOLA is seeking a Global Head of Product, Softline to lead our global product agenda across apparel and soft accessories. This role will define the category strategy, portfolio architecture, seasonal line plans and development priorities for our global markets. You will own the complete product lifecycle- from consumer insight and initial concept through design, development, fit, materials, costing, sourcing, range confirmation, launch readiness and post-launch review.

It is a global leadership role with accountability for the consumer relevance, product integrity, commercial viability and execution of the softline portfolio.

You will bring together the needs of the different markets to create a coherent global product line, balancing global scale and brand consistency with consumer needs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global category strategy

• Define and lead JOOLA's global softline strategy across apparel and soft accessories.
• Establish the category architecture, consumer segments, use cases, price ladders and balance between core and seasonal products.
• Translate consumer, athlete, retailer, distributor and regional market insights into clear portfolio priorities.
• Make informed trade-offs across regional requirements, product concepts, development capacity and commercial opportunities.

2. Consumer insight and product creation

• Build a structured approach to gathering insights from consumers, athletes, customers, regional teams and category trends.
• Identify unmet consumer needs, innovation opportunities and differentiated product concepts across performance and lifestyle segments.
• Own clear product briefs covering functionality, fit, materials, colour, branding, target cost, retail positioning and launch timing.
• Partner with Creative, Design and regional Product teams to translate briefs into coherent global ranges.

3. End-to-end product development

• Lead the seasonal development process from concept and design through prototypes, samples, fit sessions, revisions and production readiness.
• Establish effective stage gates, calendars, decision rights and approval processes.
• Resolve product trade-offs and escalate material issues affecting quality, timing, cost or launch commitments.
• Maintain disciplined decision-making and visibility across multiple development workstreams.

4. Fit quality and product standards

• Define and maintain global standards for fit, sizing, construction, materials, trims, performance, labelling and product documentation.
• Coordinate fit reviews, wear tests, material testing and quality validation with Design, Sourcing, Quality, Legal and suppliers.
• Ensure that product claims, care instructions and labelling are accurate and appropriate for the intended markets.
• Use consumer feedback, returns and quality data to improve future products.

5. Commercial and operational viability

• Work with Sourcing, Finance, suppliers and Commercial teams to achieve target costs, margins, minimum order quantities, capacity and lead times.
• Build robust business cases using demand, pricing, margin, inventory exposure and operational complexity.
• Assess material, construction and range trade-offs without compromising critical consumer, performance or brand requirements.
• Identify development and supply risks early and recommend practical solutions.

6. Global adoption and launch readiness

• Partner with regional Product, Commercial and Merchandising leaders to translate the global line into relevant market and channel assortments.
• Coordinate launch milestones across Product, Creative, Marketing, Merchandising, E-Commerce, Sales, Supply Chain and Operations.
• Ensure that product information, samples, positioning, training and sales tools are available at the appropriate stage.
• Support global sell-in, product education and launch-readiness reviews for priority ranges.

7. Category performance and leadership

• Review sell-in, sell-through, margin, inventory, returns, quality and range productivity across markets.
• Lead post-launch reviews and recommend carry-over, replenishment, localisation, rationalisation or exit decisions.
• Maintain visibility over the key drivers of category growth and profitability.
• Establish scalable category governance, reporting, processes and development disciplines.
• Build and develop the softline product team as the category grows.

What We're Looking For

• 12-15 years of progressive experience in apparel or softline product management, product development, category management or merchandising, including senior category leadership responsibility
• Experience owning a global or multi-market apparel or soft-goods portfolio from consumer insight and strategy through development, launch and lifecycle management
• Strong technical understanding of apparel construction, materials, trims, fit, sizing, colour, graphics, labelling, packaging, testing and quality
• Experience working directly with designers, developers, sourcing teams, suppliers and quality teams across multiple seasonal cycles
• Strong commercial capability across portfolio architecture, pricing, target cost, margin, minimum order quantities, demand, inventory exposure and SKU productivity
• Ability to reconcile differing regional, climate, consumer and channel requirements and translate them into clear global product decisions
• Strong project management and stage-gate discipline across development calendars, samples, approvals, dependencies and launch milestones
• Demonstrated ability to lead through a global and regional matrix, influencing senior Product, Creative, Commercial and functional stakeholders
• Experience building category capabilities, governance and team structures within a scaling business
• Experience in sporting goods, performance apparel, athleisure, lifestyle or another relevant global consumer category is strongly preferred
• Strong written and spoken English. Additional language capabilities would be advantageous.

Why Join Us

At JOOLA, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your work and make a meaningful contribution. As part of a growing business, you will be able to learn, take on new challenges and develop your career.

Our core values define how we work together towards our brand promise:

• Innovation - We approach challenges with curiosity and initiative. We take responsibility for solving problems and look for better ways to serve our customers and strengthen our business.
• Inspiration - We bring a champion mindset to our work. We set high standards, pursue meaningful goals and continually seek to improve.
• Inclusion - We work collaboratively, communicate openly and treat one another with respect. We value the different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives across our teams and markets.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

JOOLA is committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and make employment decisions based on the requirements of the role, relevant experience, demonstrated capabilities and organisational needs, in accordance with applicable local employment laws.