Senior Product Development Manager

SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Essential

• Essential

  • Drives the spirit of innovation in the organization through the research, vetting and proposal of new, market-driven products for development (includes retail-ready consumer products and bulk packaging products for industrial supply)
  • Works with outside vendors on costing, schematics, packaging, timing and other details required to bring new products on board
  • Works with the Marketing and Sales departments on the development and execution of product marketing plans with associated sales targets, packaging, content, images, video and collateral as appropriate. Establishes and manages to timeline to ensure quick and efficient completion
  • Attends industry and customer-specific trade shows as necessary to understand the market, observe the competitive landscape and/or understand our customers’ needs. This also includes working in the booth to support education and sales efforts, prospecting for customers and follow-up.
  • Researches and educates Sales and Marketing teams on our offerings compared to those of our competitors, recommends changes to pricing, MSRP, packaging, quality and pack sizes as appropriate
  • Provides short and long-term product sales forecasts, actuals, special reports and analyses to management and Sales teams
  • Drives the pricing and repricing cycles for the company, including the justification process with our biggest customers and talking points for smaller customers. Also includes participating in customer calls and emails with our larger customers who need to understand changes at a deeper level.
  • Trains in-house salesforce and independent sales representatives on new products.
  • Creates promotion plans for special customer promotions and coordinates sales proposals, planograms and pricing.
  • Completes item master documentation of new products for input into Odoo ERP and Salsify PXM systems
  • Works with customers and Sales departments on the set-up of private label programs and associated pricing Conducts ongoing product category analysis, making recommendations and adjustments as necessary to remain competitive
  • Serves as 80/20 Product Line Segmentation champion, facilitating relevant discussions and guiding the team as required
  • Drives the costing and quoting process for all products as well as the development of customer pricing and associated justification back to our customers

   

   

   

   

  KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS:

  • Highly adept in analysis of large data sets
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and additional data analysis tools
  • Experience in creation, implementation and justification of pricing strategies for retail and industrial supply customers
  • Understands product safety and compliance testing processes
  • Understands GTIN barcode rules
  • Experience managing products through the product lifecycle
  • Experience in trademark and patent research
  • Experience in light manufacturing, distribution and retail industries
  • Experience in the management of complex projects in accordance with aggressive timelines
  • Copywriting skills are a plus

   

   

  QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Ability to assimilate information and make decisions based on research
  • Ability to effectively interact with all levels of company team
  • Ability to effectively interact with external customers
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationship with team members
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks
  • Ability to organize tasks
  • Ability to prepare reports and other documents in a neat and legible manner
  • Customer and team oriented
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written format Ability to facilitate discussions and present information to large groups at all levels of the organization comfortably
  • Ability to Handle difficult situations with diplomacy

   

  EDUCATION:

  • Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related business experience or suitable combination of both