Product Management Director

Role Description

The role drives the development and execution of both short- and long-term strategies for retail bags & sheeting product lines and works closely with segment/functional leaders, Commercial, R&D, and Operations to assist in driving overall product line profitability and efficiency.

Primary Job Functions

• Strategy:
  • Work cross functionally to update, communicate and implement the strategic vision for the business.
  • Identify internal and external business needs along with growth opportunities.
  • Define and develop strategic investment plans to support growth and profitability improvement.
  • Leads the team in the development of retailer‑specific category growth strategies, including assortment, shelving, merchandising, and product innovation recommendations.
  • Understand the market requirements and consumer trends to inform and shape the strategy.
  • Conduct market research to drive innovation and growth.
  • Gather competitive intelligence to set product requirements and differentiated value propositions.
  • Provide product and pricing recommendations for new opportunities.
  • Participate in customer meetings and trade events to drive growth.
• Multi Generation Product Planning:
  • Develop and execute 1-year and 3-year product development roadmap for product line effectiveness, growth and profitability.
  • Define and develop next generation products, collaborating with Sales, Technical and cross-functional teams.
  • Manage allocation of technical resources to the most impactful projects.
  • Manage all aspects of new product launches and cross customer promotional opportunities.
  • Provide oversight for product line specific competitive information.
• Product Line Profitability:
  • Manage new product and customer pricing and profit, collaborating with Finance, Operations, Sourcing, Supply Chain and Sales.
  • Monitor market pricing and provide input on competitive landscape.
  • Champion cost-reduction projects; manage product mix and margin erosion on mature items.
  • Identify changes in equipment and process technology to improve cost position.
  • Work with Supply Chain for raw material sourcing, validation and cost-improvement.
• Support of Existing Business:
  • Drives partnership with Sales to deliver joint business plans that grow the total category and strengthen customer relationships.
  • Develop clear product positioning and communication strategies; collaborate with Marketing, manage product positioning tools, including web, trade, ad, sell sheets, research and presentations.
  • Lead cross-functional teams to bring solution to resolve quality initiatives.
  • Work with cross-functional teams to define service needs for new/changing/outgoing items.
  • Maintain oversight for new and modified products; working with Marketing, Corporate Creative teams and Packaging Design in determining packaging requirements and art work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. MBA preferred.
• 7+ years Product Management in manufacturing experience or comparable combined experience in commercial and finance functions.
• Solid understanding of business functions Sales, Finance, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sourcing, etc.
• High proficiency level with MS Office applications required.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with demonstrated meeting facilitation skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.

Requirements

• Ability to extract item-level sales data, organize, analyze and draw conclusions.
• Ability to perform category analysis and category management.
• Understanding of profit & loss statement and how commercial and operational activities translate to P&L.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and direct cross-functional teams; commercial as well as operational.
• Ability to drive new product development and lead the commercialization of products.
• Team player with ability to influence without direct authority to consistently drive profitable growth.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible time off, starting at 80 hours paid time per year for full-time salaried employees.
• Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location.
• Wellbeing program & Employee Assistance Program.
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account.
• Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Retirement Savings Plan with company match.
• Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval).
• Discretionary annual bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date).