Lead, Pre-Order, Product Creation Operations

Who You’ll Work With

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Pre-Order, Product Creation, this role serves as the Lead for Pre-Order Product Creation Operations, partnering across Product Creation, Supply Chain, Planning, and Operations.

This role collaborates closely with Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories teams, including Design, Development, Sport PLMs, Merchandising, Planning, DCM, DEC, and external factory partners. It operates as an individual contributor role with a focus on operational leadership, timeline management, and disciplined execution across Pre-Order initiatives.

Who We Are Looking For

Nike is looking for a highly organized, solutions-driven operator who excels at the intersection of product creation and operational execution.

The ideal candidate brings experience translating product creation inputs into clear timelines, structured checkpoints, and PO execution readiness. They demonstrate confidence navigating cross-functional partnerships (Sport teams, PLMs, Development, DCM) while driving precision across timelines, tools, and operational milestones.

They operate effectively in ambiguous environments, influence without formal authority, and hold teams accountable to key Pre-Order milestones that differ from standard product creation processes.

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in Product Creation, Development, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Product Creation, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience or training
• Experience leading complex projects or operational workstreams, with a strong focus on timeline and milestone management
• Strong understanding of product creation processes, materials, factory capabilities, and production planning
• Demonstrated success balancing relationship management with disciplined execution and accountability
• Proven track record influencing cross-functional teams and driving alignment across diverse stakeholders
• Strong communication skills with a consistent ability to simplify complexity, escalate risks, and drive clear decisions

What You’ll Work On

As the Lead, Pre-Order, Product Creation Operations, you will own end-to-end operational readiness and project management across Pre-Order initiatives in Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories.

In this role, you will:

• Own the Pre-Order operational process and timeline, ensuring each project moves from kickoff through manufacturing readiness against clearly defined milestones
• Drive day-to-day project management, including building timelines, tracking milestones, identifying risks, managing dependencies, and escalating issues with clarity
• Translate product creation milestones into Pre-Order-specific requirements so teams understand what differs from standard processes and align to required checkpoints
• Partner closely with DCM, DEC, Sport PLMs, and Development teams to align readiness, capacity, and timing—bridging product creation inputs to operational execution
• Own Initial PO readiness and timing, aligning to materials strategy, factory capacity, and production plans; support post-launch PO updates as needed
• Serve as the central connector across Product Creation, Supply Chain, Planning, and factory partners, balancing strong relationships with disciplined execution
• Drive clarity and accountability across stakeholders, ensuring inputs are delivered on time and decisions keep timelines on track
• Identify process gaps and scale tools, templates, and checklists that improve Pre-Order execution and consistency

Impact

This role powers Nike’s Pre-Order offense—turning strategy into action and ensuring product is delivered to market in a way that is aligned, timely, and consumer-right. Through strong execution and cross-functional partnership, this role helps scale Pre-Order into a consistent and reliable marketplace capability.

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.