Now Hiring - Therma-Stor LLC - Manufacturing PRODUCT MANAGER in Madison, WI

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Identify and develop new and innovative products delivering against unmet consumer needs and increase consumer satisfaction.
• Lead moderately complex-to-complex product development projects; deliver high quality products through continuous innovation.
• Leverage VOC (Voice of Customer) to assist in defining product requirements
• Lead ideation and innovation focused brainstorming sessions; drive innovation in the product categories to deliver against changing consumer needs.
• Participate in the identification and selection of product sourcing partners.
• Conduct consumer research to refine product and/or brand categories to meet consumer needs.
• Continuously refresh the assigned portfolio of products; ensure products align with consumer needs, ensure products meet brand and style guidelines.
• Collaborate with and lead a cross-functional team through the product development process; coordinate with multiple departments (sourcing, operations, engineering, and materials)
• Ensure a well-rounded product development process (Stage Gate) is utilized to include consideration for environmental, regulatory, competitor products, consumer trends, unmet consumer needs, experience in developing and qualifying (R&D, Legal) differentiated marketing claims.
• Collaborate with brand marketing in support of new product introductions; prepare product for commercial retail to include the development of packaging, artwork, promotional campaigns, and sales materials.
• Manage target consumer mix to maximize sales and optimize profits.
• Ensure product development, manufacturing and fulfillment is cost efficient; collaborate with engineering on VAVE initiatives
• Develop, monitor, and maintain accountability for all project plans to include timetables, deliverables and budgets.
• Develop and execute product strategies that align with the brand and product segment; continuously analyze market data, sales data and financial margins against forecast and modify strategy accordingly to maximize product Return on Investment (ROI).
• Develop and implement pricing strategies for assigned product categories.
• Develop and maintain competitive price comparisons
• Manage the product lifecycle for assigned product categories to include cost savings, sku rationalization and E&O disposition.
• Keep a current and up-to-date knowledge of industry and consumer trends; develop and maintain a strong partnership with sales team and distribution channel partners.
• Other duties as necessary.

Education and Experience:

• BS/BA degree in Business, Marketing, or equivalent discipline. MBA preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in consumer durables &/or HVAC products industry
• Experience working in collaborative cross-functional teams. Proven experience partnering with Sales, Engineering and Manufacturing departments preferred
• Experience in business case analysis, commercialization strategies, profit and loss analysis preferred
• Experience in using stage-gate processes to manage product development
• Knowledge of product development/management and branding
• Knowledge of consumer research methodologies
• Knowledge of marketing concepts, strategies and standard practices
• Knowledge of the product development life cycle from concept to point of sale
• Strong project management skills and the ability to coordinate the work of multiple teams
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to derive solutions thorough analysis
• Leadership skills and the ability to drive engagement of others towards a common goal
• Analytical skills and the ability to be detail oriented
• Financial and budgetary management skills
• Proficiency using electronic spreadsheet, database, word processing and graphical presentation software, preferably Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word and Power Point)
• Domestic and some North American travel required

Experience

• 5 year(s): Minimum 5 years experience

Behaviors

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization