Product Manager - Job Description

Location: Traverse City, Michigan (On-site)
Job Type: Direct Hire, Full Time *Must be US citizen or green card holder*
Salary: $75,000 - $95,000

Company Description

We are a fast-growing food and beverage consumer products company based in northern Michigan. We develop and distribute a portfolio of products, and retail merchandise through a growing national distribution network. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer experience drives everything we do.

Job Description

The Product Manager is responsible for leading cross-functional coordination and execution of new product development from concept approval through launch. This role serves as the central point of alignment between R&D, Marketing, and Operations to ensure that new products and retail merchandise, are designed, packaged, positioned, and operationally ready for successful release.

This position ensures that once a product concept and recipe are finalized, all downstream activities are executed efficiently, on time, and in alignment with brand, operational, and commercial goals.

Responsibilities

Cross-Functional Product Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison between R&D, Marketing, and Operations for all new product initiatives.
• Lead cross-departmental timelines, meetings, and communication to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Translate finalized R&D outputs (e.g., recipes, formulations, specifications) into executable operational and marketing plans.

Product Design & Packaging Development

• Coordinate the design and development of new product packaging, including:
  • Bottles, cans, closures, labels, cartons, and secondary packaging
  • Retail and point-of-sale packaging
• Manage vendor coordination for packaging components, samples, and approvals.
• Ensure packaging meets regulatory, operational, and brand standards.
• Manage the full active product portfolio, including product setup information, formulation changes, and packaging changes.

Product Brief & Go-To-Market Alignment

• Develop and maintain comprehensive product briefs that align:
  • Product positioning and brand messaging
  • Operational requirements and production readiness
  • Pricing, margins, and SKU setup considerations
• Ensure Marketing and Operations are aligned on timelines, specifications, and launch requirements for new innovations.
• Support launch planning and internal communication for new products.
• Coordinate with marketing and external partners to ensure all marketing materials are executed on time, including sell sheets, product photography, and lifestyle imagery.

Process & Documentation

• Create and maintain standardized product development processes, documentation, and stage-gate procedures.
• Track project status, risks, and dependencies across all product initiatives.
• Ensure clean handoffs to Operations for production and fulfillment readiness.
• Perform other duties as assigned; responsibilities may change based on workload or seasonal demands.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Operations, Food & Beverage, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3 years of experience in product management, product development, operations, or cross-functional project management.
• Strong ability to manage timelines and coordinate across multiple departments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience in beverage, food & beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or manufacturing environments.
• Experience working with eCommerce products and platforms.
• Familiarity with packaging development and vendor coordination.
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance considerations in alcoholic and non-alcoholic products.
• Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite) for SKU setup, BOMs, and operational readiness.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Frequently required to stand or sit; occasionally walk.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to talk or hear; read, write, and understand English.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.
• Work is performed in a clean, well-lit, and ventilated environment with no apparent direct exposure to physical hazards.
• Occasional travel via vehicle or airplane may be required.

Compensation

• $70,000 - $95,000 per year

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Health, Vision, Dental, and other insurance benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Simple IRA
• Employee Discounts
• A fun and energetic company culture