What Type Of Person Thrives In The Retail Industry, According To A Product Manager At Levi Strauss & Co.
Kanika, a Product Manager at Levi Strauss & Co., emphasizes the importance of being "detail-oriented," a "good communicator," and possessing a "gut feeling" for problem-solving in retail product management. Success also hinges on proactive questioning, a deep understanding of the entire customer journey—from order placement to delivery—and a broad curiosity about all aspects of the retail ecosystem, including supply chain and logistics, as evidenced by the long and successful careers of those who have moved between retail giants like Walmart and Nordstrom.
Detail-Oriented, Communication, Problem-Solving, Curiosity, Industry Knowledge
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kanika Kapoor
Product Manager
Levi Strauss & Co.
Punjab Technical University
UCLA Anderson school of management- MBA
Engineering - Electrical
Apparel, Beauty, Retail & Fashion
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Took Out Loans, Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Highlight 1: Detail-oriented, proactive communication, and a strong sense of anticipating problems are crucial for success in product management. Don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions early on.
2. Highlight 2: A deep understanding of the retail industry's various aspects (supply chain, merchandising, store experience, omni-channel strategy) is vital. Actively seek knowledge beyond your immediate responsibilities.
3. Highlight 3: Networking and learning from professionals across different areas of retail (e.g., logistics, supply chain, warehouse operations) can provide invaluable insights and help you thrive in the long term. Industry experts often move between major retailers, showcasing transferable skills and knowledge
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
If we're talking specifically about retail product management or even product management in general, being detail-oriented, on top of things, and an over-communicator are crucial. Having a good gut feeling about what could go wrong and not sitting on problems really helps you in your product management journey.
This is speaking from my own mistakes. Ask questions early. Someone who asks questions obviously, but also asks them early enough clarifies any doubts they have. If you're still confused and expect someone to come to you and answer those questions, that's not going to work. So, don't ever be afraid to ask questions when you start a new job as a product manager.
The more you know when you first start your product management journey, the better. These can be generic questions, but also show interest in the industry. For retail, learn early on how it works because it has many arms, like supply chain, merchandising, and store experiences.
Consider the omnichannel strategy: a cohesive approach for customers who visit a store, access your website, or use your mobile app. Making those experiences similar is key. Truly understand the customer journey from placing an order or landing on the app to the point of delivery. Be very curious and ask questions.
Engage in one-on-ones with people you don't even work with directly. For instance, when I mentioned supply chain and delivery, those weren't things I was directly working on. My role was to ensure the mobile app worked and orders were placed, and I wasn't as concerned with dispatch or delivery after that. My job was to show it on the app.
However, talking to someone on the returns team or even warehouse workers would have been very beneficial. These are good things to know if you want to thrive in retail for 20-plus years. You'll see people who have worked in logistics and supply chain at places like Walmart and are subject matter experts.
At stores like Nordstrom, Macy's, and Walmart, you'll see people move between companies like Williams-Sonoma, and they know everything about retail.