Product Manager Kite

ABOUT THE ROLE At North Actionsports, home to iconic watersports brands like North Kiteboarding, North Foils, North Windsurfing, and Mystic, we design and build world-class gear for riders who demand the best. From first prototype to final production run, everything we create is driven by performance, innovation, and a deep connection to life on the water. We’re looking for a Product Manager – Kite to be the operational engine behind our kite range. In this role, you’ll translate category strategy into clear product briefs, structured development plans, and commercially strong kite assortments. You’ll own the full product lifecycle — making sure every kite meets rider needs, performance targets, cost and margin goals, and hits the water on time. Working at the intersection of R&D, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, and Sales, you’ll bridge big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, turning ideas into market-ready products that riders trust worldwide. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Development & Production

Lead end-to-end development of the kite range, from concept through production readiness

Own development timelines, milestones, and workflows in close collaboration with engineering and design

Translate product briefs into structured development plans covering materials, construction, and performance targets

Coordinate prototyping, testing, and iteration cycles to support performance-driven decision making

Manage the handover from development to production, ensuring specifications, BOMs, and quality standards are approved

Monitor progress, flag risks, and drive corrective actions to ensure on-time, high-quality delivery

Partner with quality and technical teams to validate production readiness and certification compliance

    Supplier & Cost Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to drive performance and continuous improvement

Own cost targets and support value engineering and design-to-cost initiatives

Conduct supplier reviews covering cost, quality, delivery, innovation, and compliance

Quality, Compliance & Sustainability

Ensure products meet North’s standards for quality, safety, and performance

Collaborate with compliance and sustainability teams to support ethical sourcing and sustainable material choices

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Align closely with Category, Product Management, Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain on priorities, launches, pricing, and forecasting

REQUIREMENTS

Engineering background with 5–7 years of experience in product management, preferably in action sports or technical consumer products

Strong affinity with technical textiles and materials

Solid understanding of construction techniques across materials such as carbon fiber, aluminium, glass fiber, EVA, plastics, and stainless steel, and manufacturing processes including casting, injection and form molding, 3D printing, milling, welding, sewing, and gluing

Basic knowledge of relevant standards (ASTM, JIS, NEN)

Strong affinity with watersports — kiteboarding experience is a big plus

Analytical mindset with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional, international teams

Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus

WE OFFER

A competitive salary and good pension scheme

Working in a dynamic, fast-growing company active in over 70 countries

Attractive staff discount on our products

Annual staff outing and monthly Thursday drinks

Company lunch, gym, and wellness options (boxing, massage, table tennis, table football, pool billiards)

A role with real ownership, impact, and room to grow — both professionally and personally

ABOUT THE ROLE At North Actionsports, home to iconic watersports brands like North Kiteboarding, North Foils, North Windsurfing, and Mystic, we design and build world-class gear for riders who demand the best. From first prototype to final production run, everything we create is driven by performance, innovation, and a deep connection to life on the water. We’re looking for a Product Manager – Kite to be the operational engine behind our kite range. In this role, you’ll translate category strategy into clear product briefs, structured development plans, and commercially strong kite assortments. You’ll own the full product lifecycle — making sure every kite meets rider needs, performance targets, cost and margin goals, and hits the water on time. Working at the intersection of R&D, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, and Sales, you’ll bridge big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, turning ideas into market-ready products that riders trust worldwide. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Development & Production

Lead end-to-end development of the kite range, from concept through production readiness

Own development timelines, milestones, and workflows in close collaboration with engineering and design

Translate product briefs into structured development plans covering materials, construction, and performance targets

Coordinate prototyping, testing, and iteration cycles to support performance-driven decision making

Manage the handover from development to production, ensuring specifications, BOMs, and quality standards are approved

Monitor progress, flag risks, and drive corrective actions to ensure on-time, high-quality delivery

Partner with quality and technical teams to validate production readiness and certification compliance

    Supplier & Cost Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to drive performance and continuous improvement

Own cost targets and support value engineering and design-to-cost initiatives

Conduct supplier reviews covering cost, quality, delivery, innovation, and compliance

Quality, Compliance & Sustainability

Ensure products meet North’s standards for quality, safety, and performance

Collaborate with compliance and sustainability teams to support ethical sourcing and sustainable material choices

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Align closely with Category, Product Management, Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain on priorities, launches, pricing, and forecasting

REQUIREMENTS

Engineering background with 5–7 years of experience in product management, preferably in action sports or technical consumer products

Strong affinity with technical textiles and materials

Solid understanding of construction techniques across materials such as carbon fiber, aluminium, glass fiber, EVA, plastics, and stainless steel, and manufacturing processes including casting, injection and form molding, 3D printing, milling, welding, sewing, and gluing

Basic knowledge of relevant standards (ASTM, JIS, NEN)

Strong affinity with watersports — kiteboarding experience is a big plus

Analytical mindset with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional, international teams

Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus

WE OFFER

A competitive salary and good pension scheme

Working in a dynamic, fast-growing company active in over 70 countries

Attractive staff discount on our products

Annual staff outing and monthly Thursday drinks

Company lunch, gym, and wellness options (boxing, massage, table tennis, table football, pool billiards)

A role with real ownership, impact, and room to grow — both professionally and personally

If you are interested, please send your Cv to [email protected]