DESCRIPTION
The Product Manager will be responsible for executing category strategy and maintaining product roadmaps for assigned category in conjunction with product team leadership. This role offers hands-on responsibility for creating, bringing to market, and managing the life cycle of the products that meet the quality, financial and ROI targets established for them. The product manager will champion a matrixed group through the life cycle process that includes sales, marketing, operations and development teams.
RESPONSIBILITIES
10 % Product Strategy
o Collaborate on product strategy with product leadership
o Execute product strategy and a maintain rolling 24-month roadmap for assigned categories.
30 % Project Management
o Define product requirements, deliver PRDs with prioritized features and corresponding justification
o Attend weekly NPI meetings to ensure cross functional alignment on development and launch of new product; proactively communicate any changes to product plan
o Direct and manage small to mid-size product lifecycles from beginning to end
o Execute against project scope, goals and deliverables that support business goals in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders
o Serve as the internal and external evangelist for product category
o Participate in cross-functional project team from product concept through product launch
o Effectively communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion
o Liaise with project stakeholders on an ongoing basis
o Identify and refer issues and conflicts within the project team to manager
o Track project milestones and deliverables
o Build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the project
o Participate in project postmortems to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements
o Drive on-time launches – hitting agreed IOQ dates, quantity and quality targets
o Interface with Sales Management throughout all phases of product life cycle to ensure quality product introductions and achieving financial targets for the category
o Make presentations or pitches to sales customers as the category representative
25% Administrative Duties
o Responsible for preparation of all Stage Gate Documents, present products during Stage Gate meetings.
o Manage certification applications and requirements
o Support partner relationships – this may include sample requests (both sending and receiving), scheduling visits (incoming and outgoing) and data collection
o Maintain weights and dims; ensuring they’re correct and updated in CRM per system
5% Marketing & Communication
o Research and analyze market conditions
o Identify key competitor and consumer trends; be the company contributor with regards to competition
o Identify opportunities for product innovation and product enhancements
o Collaborate with the marketing communication team to define go-to market strategy, helping them understand product positioning, key benefits and target customer
o Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations
10% Financial/Inventory
o Responsible for product lifecycle management (PLM) for assigned products / product lines
o Cost of good management – Participate all the way through the RFQ process for NPI’s and cost down initiatives
o Pricing – Responsible for the establishment of wholesale pricing through the stage gate process
o Understand financial status of assigned category
5% Process Leadership & Personnel Management
o Manage direct report as assigned
o Provide input to department budget
5% Other duties as assigned
SKILLS
• Proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Successful working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential
• Ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and flexible during times of change
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including communication with team members, cross-department partners, the executive team and other internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to read and react to different audiences, and adjust communication style effectively
• Must be strategic, entrepreneurial, optimistic, action oriented and decisive
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment is crucial
COMPETENCIES:
• Communication and Influencing: Must be comfortable communicating through written and oral means, including presenting to large groups
• Leading Others: Must have the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others as part of a team. Demonstrate interest, skill and success in getting groups to work together
• Preventing and Solving Problems: The ability to identify and resolve issues by using a logical, systematic and sequential approach
• Achieving Results: Ensuring that work and information are complete and accurate; carefully preparing for meetings and presentations; following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled
• Self-Management: Ability to manage time effectively and productively despite shifting priorities, demands and timelines
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience in relevant areas like Business, Marketing, Communications or Engineering
• 4 years of direct work experience in product management, project management, process management required. Consumer products industry experience highly preferred
• Some experience in assigned categories preferred
• Some experience developing products for iOS and Android devices a plus.
• Physically able to participate in training sessions, presentations, and meetings
• Some travel may be required for the purpose of meeting with channel partners retail accounts, manufacturing partners, or off-site personnel/management
• Up to 20% travel may be required
• LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, write, and verbally communicate effectively and professionally with other business departments, guests, and vendors. Ability to diplomatically deal with difficult situations and people, while exhibiting a consistent level of professionalism.