Product Manager

Innovation Chain Partners, an Item Group company, is a thriving product development company specializing in the creation, design, and supply of successful consumer products for national retail accounts. We develop and supply innovative private-label products for some of the most recognized retail brands in the US.

 

We have a close-knit, high-energy culture that fosters the creative spirit while exceeding client expectations. We offer tremendous opportunity for professional development and leadership, rewarding projects, competitive salaries, an excellent benefits package, and summer hours. We?re located in Providence, Rhode Island, a renaissance city with affordable lifestyle, great restaurants, pristine beaches, and a vibrant arts community.

 

Position:  We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Product Manager to oversee the successful development and launch of new product lines in a variety of retail categories, as well as their ongoing competitiveness and profitability. This person will work directly with major national retailers, internal design and engineering teams, and Asian partners.

 

Nature of Role: Reporting to the General Manager, this go-to resource will be a key member of a core team that includes experienced professionals in marketing research, strategy, design, engineering, and manufacturing. The Product Manager will work closely with project engineers and other marketing staff to turn new product concepts into commercially successful retail programs. Areas of responsibility will include market/data analysis, interpretation of consumer research and insights, pricing, managing development schedules, packaging development, positioning, forecasting, lifecycle management, and ensuring product and line profitability over time. This is a growth-oriented opportunity, so a demonstrated ability to establish systems and procedures and build and mentor a staff will be key.

 

Requirements:  Candidates should have at least 5-7 years experience in product marketing within the consumer products industry.  Experience in the product development process, managing product lines for big box retail chains, deriving relevant insights from consumer research, and working with overseas manufacturers are all important. You must be a detail-oriented multi-tasker, have strong business instincts, be able to manage large multi-SKU programs, be a great communicator and possess the ability to present ideas in a compelling way.

 

High energy, self-starters with the following qualities are encouraged to apply:

 Strong project management skills, including the ability to work with a diverse cross-functional team handling multiple programs

 A strong understanding of retail merchandising

 Demonstrated analytic and reporting skills, including working with retail POS data, forecasts, and profit analysis

 Prior experience in consumer products a must; experience in housewares, health & beauty, juvenile products, and/or office products all a plus.

 Bachelor?s degree in a relevant field; MBA a strong plus; outstanding candidates with demonstrated abilities and accomplishments in lieu of specific degrees will be considered.

 Demonstrable success in developing and launching commercially successful product lines

 Strong understanding of packaging, merchandising, and promotional strategies; good design instincts a must

 Excellent skills in Microsoft Excel, Project, and PowerPoint

 Desire to be accountable

 Experience working with Asian factories is a strong plus

 

Responsibilities: 

 

?  Manage the successful development, launch, and ongoing competitiveness of multi-product programs from initial concept stage

?  Work directly with national retail accounts team to develop and implement successful merchandising programs

?  Manage product lifecycles and ongoing profitability

?  Work directly with marketing research and design staffs to indentify, quantify, and validate new opportunities

?  Work directly with project engineers to deliver new products to market on spec, on time, and on budget

?  Conduct competitive intelligence and analysis as appropriate

?  Establish pricing strategies for new products

?  Work with internal and external design resources to develop packaging

?  Stay current with category and consumer trends

?  Develop ongoing line extensions to capitalize on specific opportunities

?  Ensure ongoing profitability of product lines

?  Establish standard procedures and methods

?  Participate in the development and management of a growing organization