The Product Manager will manage a highly important product category to build consumer and customer demand, market share, sales & profitability. The position will be lead product portfolio management, integrated marketing planning, and pricing management. Product line management responsibilities include responsibility for new product innovation, new product feature development, new service offerings, product line management including rationalizing existing items, guiding national product pricing and cost reduction initiatives. Additionally the candidate will have responsibility for establishing channel management strategies, identifying and leading major strategic growth initiatives, and developing an annual marketing plan for each product line. The manager will be measured on market share, overall revenue and profit growth, the success of innovation initiatives and depth of innovation pipeline, and key project sales and profit impact.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Lead the new product / feature and service innovation process across the respective product category.
- Leads the identification of customer and consumer needs and establishes development priorities.
- Leads team in generating ideas and coordinating vetting of ideas in conjunction with manufacturing, product engineering, and sales
- Establishes and leads market research process to identify opportunities and creates methodology and metrics for assessing opportunities
- Builds innovation pipeline and develops recommendations on priorities in communicating pipeline
- Develops new product launch recommendations and plans including financial justification
- Coordinates launches leading cross functional teams ensuring timelines are met and all aspects of launches are successful
- Participates in product line value engineering with core responsibility in ensuring initiatives reflect customer and consumer input
- May lead commercialization project management if particularly complex cross functional coordination required
- Leads overall product line management
- Manages and vets additions of products to the line ensuring sales and financial objectives are accomplished including product variations for multiple channels
- Recommends product line rationalization opportunities
- Leads overall product line national pricing strategy
- Identifies pricing profit opportunities, ensures value progression and margins, performs analyzes Vs. competition
- Not involved in customer discount negotiations / quotes
- Leads channel management strategy
- Ensures product offering / pricing is optimized across channels
- Identifies and pursues new channel opportunities
- Develops annual marketing plan specifying key initiatives
- Presents recommendations and gains approval of Group senior management
- Identifies and leads major strategic growth opportunities
- Communicates effectively throughout organization and effectively manages cross-functional teams.
- Works closely with respective Division President to define the growth agenda – establishing a collaborative working relationship and gaining alignment on marketing plans and projects with the respective Division President is critical to the position.
- Develop plans to drive new courses of action and improved business results by reviewing and analyzing results of marketing programs.
- Lead organizational thinking to ensure consistent customer focus and strategy, fostering innovation and creativity.
- Act continuously to maintain the highest standard of performance and conduct and operate within the provisions of the Corporate Creed, Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Program.
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) required and MBA strongly preferred.
- At least 5 years experience in product management / marketing with ownership for a major product line.
- Experience in consumer durables segment preferred.
- Demonstrated track record in developing marketing plans, growth initiatives, and product / service innovation to drive revenue and profit growth.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of typical office software email and familiarity with use of a data warehouse like SAP.
Competencies
Executing for Results
Sets dramatic, compelling goals and aggressive schedules for improvement. Translates the vision/mission of the organization into actionable, quantitative plans. Uses best-in-class benchmarks and own direct experience as catalysts for driving change. Makes timely decisions when a quick response is required and a number of possible alternatives are available.
Setting Strategy
Has a clear, compelling vision of where he/she wants to take the organization and/or industry. Communicates the vision in bold and persuasive terms. Makes decisions that balance a variety of factors (e.g., cost, risk, short-term vs. long-term impact) to achieve an optimal outcome. Makes decisions in uncertain times or ambiguous situations that combine logic with a strong intuitive sense of what course to take.
Building Relationships and Using Influence
Builds and sustains excellent relationships at multiple levels in the workplace. Is able to “get things done” behind the scenes without compromising principles. Builds effective coalitions to move the agenda forward. Communicates passion, energy, intensity, and excitement.
Leading Teams
Forges strong diverse teams of people with multiple perspectives and talents. Translates over-arching business goals into specific objectives for each member of the team. Identifies and keeps others focused on the most important metrics that drive the business. Sizes up and leverages the strengths, weaknesses, and styles of key players.
Other Qualifications
- Ability to travel up to 20% as needed.
- Requires excellent oral, written communication, and interpersonal skills along with solid problem solving skills and tenacity.
- Attention to detail a must.
Apply Now ~ Please include resume and salary history when applying.
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