Sr. Product Manager - Work Gear & Tools

Job Description

Description:

Hultafor Group North America is seeking mid-career to experienced candidates to be part of our Product Management team in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. You will work with our experienced team to develop product solutions for our users.

The successful candidate will be responsible for new product development for Hultafors Group North America. Hultafors Group North America includes brands like Johnson Level, CLC Work Gear, and Hultafors Tools. As a dynamic Sr. Product Manager you will develop new products in consumer goods & building materials utilizing user driven product requirements to bring products to market for their assigned categories as well as lead a team by:

Creating business cases and preparing project financials for new product development

Building out 2-3 year Product Development Roadmap Plans driving new innovation

Assisting in the development of end user driven products from concept ideation to commercialization

Develop and Lead a team of Product Managers or Designers

Driving development of operating instructions with our engineering team

Working with domestic and international teams in a personal and virtual environment

Ensuring on-time completion of product design reviews as well as product collateral

Assisting with setup of product/pricing information

Monitoring category KPIs to ensure business plan targets are being met

Supporting product improvements, address quality concerns and seek cost reduction opportunities

Performing VOC and competitive shops to ensure product success

This is not an IT or software related role. Requirements:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

New Product Development - Innovation:

Build out 2-3 year product roadmaps to address innovation launches and performance improvements both financial and use

Suggest product changes or improvements

Develop, source or create new product innovation

Consider applicable resourcing of product to Strategic Purchasing

Build out transition plans to exit non-productive or discontinued products

People Leadership

Responsible for training team members, setting strategy and monitoring progress towards goals.

Have Strong Communication skills and be able to provide timely constructive feedback.

Overseeing activities of the team and address any risks to delivering on-time

Develop a clear understanding of the business economics for the managed market segment. At a minimum, the successful Manager will have command of the following Company information:

Major Cost and expense elements

Actions which most impact cost and profit, and how these economies compare with competitors

Operational costs which vary with volume

General operation costs which influence margin

Compile Competitive Market Information

Library competitor’s product offering and market strategies

Define market channels and margin structure

Research total market potential and market trends

Define and present product and pricing for promotional programs

Highlight product feature and benefit enabling Marketing to develop product catalogs, concepts for sell sheets and POP’s

Perform market segment profitability analysis

Facilitate Sales Revenue- identify good profit performers with high margins. Initiate action to:

Increase selling and promotional emphasis to gain immediate, high margin market share

Collaborate and meet regularly with other business units to collect and share global market data, discuss new product ideas, and monitor competitive activity

Develop an annual Product strategy map AND a three-year plan for the assigned market segment

Support Activity

Assist the sales team in presenting the product line and programs

Work with sales to select products for trade shows

Ensure promotional materials are in place and show personnel are trained on features and benefits of new products

Develop training material for employees, sales representatives and other groups

Required Relationships:

The Product Manager must work closely with the following departments to achieve desired results.

Sales: To implement specific sales programs, ensure emphasis on assigned products and to obtain continuous, meaningful feedback from the marketplace. The Product Manager is to work with Sales Managers to evaluate target accounts and achieve market penetration in specific channels.

Production: Provide performance insights to effectively manage productivity, product availability and product cost.

Product Development: Provide market input and set priorities for new products. Provide ideas to facilitate product enhancement and cost/margin improvement. Works with Engineering & Quality Teams to manage NPD Phase Gate Process

Finance: Understand and manage business economics to obtain current, meaningful reports of cost structure and profitability on asset segments. Monitor results achieved on new product development.

Marketing: Develop launch collateral with Marketing team for new product launches. In addition, create promotional plans for existing product lines.

Purchasing: Determine initial inventory level for new product launch. Monitor inventory levels for assigned products ensuring adequate turns and service levels.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, engineering, or related field required, MBA preferred.

3+ Years of product development or industrial design experience.

Project management skills and strong planning, organizational and administrative skills

Familiarity with consumer goods and building materials markets.

Proficient knowledge of Google Analytics, content management systems, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite and desk top publishing.

Excellent literacy, writing, editing and proofing skills and outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

High degree of business acumen and results driven.

Collaborative working style with an ability to work within a team in a hands-on capacity to achieve individual, team and organizational goals

Attention to detail, creativity, and knowledge of information technology

Ability to travel up to 25%

Full-time