Product Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title:               Product Manager – Sourced Packaging & Supplies

Reports to:           Director of Marketing & Communications

Shift: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Pay:   Salary is based on experience and geographic location. The starting range based on experience is $56,784-68,140.80

Location:   This position can be located at our office in Antigo, WI or Wausau, WI. 

Job Summary

The Product Manager focuses on marketing activities for sourced packaging and supplies. The Product Manager serves as a communication bridge between the Volm sales team and Volm corporate purchasing, ensuring that market and competitive intelligence reaches key suppliers. Teamwork and customer service are vital to the position as the Product Manager works directly and indirectly with vendors, customers, and all levels of company personnel. The success of this role will be judged on the Product Manager's ability to contribute to the delivery of annual consumable sales budgets, maintain effective communication between the sales team and corporate purchasing, and increase the knowledge level of Volm sales account managers regarding the packaging and supplies portfolio.

Essential Duties

• Directs Identify innovative product ideas that support organizational goals by analyzing competitors’ products.
• Maintain clear, concise, and accurate communication among upstream and downstream functions and across multiple teams.
• Represent the voice of the customer to turn feedback into valuable insights that will generate innovative ideas aligned with Volm’s long-term vision.
• Become a technical expert in assigned product categories and lead the development of product specification training programs and materials for sales professionals, customer meetings and presentations, and marketing campaigns.
• Assist sales and customer service by developing new items, ensuring accurate and timely product details and specifications.
• Responsible for maintaining items in MS Finance and Operations, including processing new item releases and submitting engineering change requests.
• Collaborate with the VP of Sales and Marketing and the Director of Marketing & Communication to develop Volm’s 'go-to-market' consumable and supplies strategy and oversee the creation of product sales and marketing materials (e.g., print, digital, social media, etc.).
• Conduct regular market analysis, contribute to the development of market intelligence like market size and share estimates, and identify and report shifts in consumer retail packaging behavior.
• Capture and analyze market pricing for key products and prepare monthly reports on product categories, offering insights into sales, margins, current risks, market opportunities, and forecasts.
• Travel to customer locations frequently with Volm sales professionals and provide on-site support regarding product specifications, details, identifying additional sales opportunities, and end-user support. 

Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate effectively in English to ensure safe and efficient job performance
• Strong interpersonal, listening, negotiation, and customer service skills; able to work collaboratively with employees, customers, and vendors at all levels
• Ability to understand and follow verbal instructions and perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Proven ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple tasks, projects, and deadlines efficiently
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills; able to interpret and act on data accurately
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of other computer systems and software, including word processing and ERP/CRM systems
• Understanding of purchasing, manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing best practices and standards
• Working knowledge of lean, continuous improvement, and quality methodologies
• Ability to develop a strong understanding of packaging products, supplies, and manufacturing processes (e.g., product lines, quoting, ordering, and production limitations)
• Commitment to safety, compliance, and customer satisfaction
• Consistently demonstrates high levels of accountability, integrity, and professionalism in all tasks
• Must be willing to sign and adhere to the company’s confidentiality and non-compete agreements

Education and Experience

• Knowledge of business, sales, and marketing principles, normally acquired by the completion of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Minimum of one year of relevant experience in sales, customer service, or marketing, preferably in the packaging or fresh produce industry preferred.
• Understanding of sales and marketing practices, including financial modeling, pricing strategy, and the development and use of price lists.
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics 365, preferred

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.
• Capability to lift and carry objects of various weights up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Proficiency in using hands, fingers, and arms for tasks such as typing and writing.
• Sufficient visual acuity to read documents and recognize details at close and distant ranges.
• Ability to hear and understand verbal communication.
• Flexibility to bend, stoop, and reach low or high objects.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects.
• Adaptability to work in varying environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, noise, dust, or fumes, depending on the nature of the job.
• Willingness to adhere to safety protocols and wear protective gear, including helmets, goggles, gloves, and safety shoes, as required by the job.

Company Culture & Values

• A Commitment to Our Purpose (COMMITTED PEOPLE) – Our mission is to serve and build up our customers, suppliers, communities, and each other, guided by the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The commitment to serving and building up is easily seen in those employees that exemplify this value.
• Without Our Customers We Are Nothing (CUSTOMER FIRST) – We realize that we are blessed to serve our customers and without them, our company does not exist.  They rely on us for their success and that is a responsibility we cannot take lightly.  Our focus must be on serving them with as seamless communication and access to products as possible.
• Kind, Humble and Positive (HUMBLE) – These positive traits do not mean being a doormat to others.  But when a person is kind, humble and positive it comes through in their genuine caring for those around them.
• A Desire For “Expert” (EXPERTS) – Our people want to be seen as the experts in their specific roles.  From how we convert a bag efficiently and with highest quality, to knowledge of the product portfolio, to desiring to know more about tax or human resource policy – the desire for “expert” drives us in each of our roles.
• Intentional Growth – Developing of Self and Others (PERSONAL GROWTH)– Times, tools, and customer expectations change.  Our team members are interested in developing themselves and those around them.   We know that a stronger team is one that makes our customers and our fellow employees happier.
• Strong Work Ethic (HARD WORKERS) – The commitment to serve those around us is honorable and we respond to this by putting our strongest effort into that purpose.
• High Expectations of Self and Others (HIGH EXPECTATIONS) – We expect ourselves, and those around us, to put in our best effort.  When others struggle, we help them align towards perfection.  When we struggle, we are open and humble to hear it and course-correct accordingly.
• If It Isn’t Safe, We Don’t Do It (SAFETY) – All people deserve to return home to their loved ones safely and work in an environment where they can best execute their tasks safely.  When choosing between safety and profit, safety and efficiency, safety and feelings, safety, and “x” – we choose safety.

Travel Requirements 

This position requires occasional overnight travel and occasional travel within the workday to attend sales events, trade shows, other Volm facilities, vendor locations, and customer sites.   

Driver Qualification

The ability to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle on behalf of the company preferred. Inclusion in the company’s driver qualification program is required to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle. 

Becoming a qualified driver includes:

• Agree to the company driving policies that apply to company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle as applicable.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver license and be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record, as evidenced by completion of a baseline motor vehicle record check and ongoing monitoring.
• When driving a personal vehicle on behalf of the company, must provide a copy of the declaration page from personal auto insurance that shows the policy dates and minimum coverage amounts ($300,000 bodily injury per accident/$100,000 property damage per accident or if driving less than 5 hours/200 miles a year $50,000 bodily injury per accident/$10,000 property damage per accident or the state minimum, whichever is more). This requirement is initially and then annually thereafter.

This job description is intended as a general outline of the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any responsibilities, duties, or activities as deemed necessary with or without notice. 

Volm Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics. If you require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, please inform us and we will work with you to address your needs.

Benefits

As a family-owned and operated company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. We offer a strong foundation of benefits, including access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, an HSA employer contribution, and a 401k with profit sharing to secure your future. To support your overall well-being and family life, we offer additional benefits beyond the core package, such as paid vacation, wellness stipends, childcare reimbursement assistance, and much more. We are committed to continuously enhancing our benefits to meet the evolving needs of our team.