Product Development Product Mgr I

Product Development Product Manager I

Exempt Position

Reports to: Sr Product Development Manager

About Us:
Based in Alliance, OH, Coastal Pet Products, Inc. has been a family-owned American manufacturer since 1968. We are a leader in the pet industry with an unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and quality. We design and deliver quality products that people trust for the dogs and cats they love. We are committed to being a great place to work and encourage associates to excel and grow professionally.

At Coastal Pet, we value people as the source of our strength, and we appreciate your interest in our company. If you want to join a team that works each day to live out our passion for pets, people, and progress, then please apply for this great opportunity. Coastal Pet Products, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Summary:

Responsible for supporting product categories by working with the Category Manager as the expert for the products. Assist with the product lifecycles and design, build and roll-out quality products in a timely manner that deliver the company’s vision and strategy and support category growth.

Major Responsibilities:

• Assist with product positioning and placement by monitoring retail/consumer trends and points of distribution.
• Recommend updates, improvements or discontinuation of existing products based on changing market needs, understand product lifecycle, and GAP analysis.
• Understand market requirements for current and future products through collaboration with Sales and Marketing and use market intelligence gathered to support strategic recommendations.
• Assist in developing and implementing go-to-market plans and filling out PNIFs.
• Ensure quality products and programs are developed timely to meet product release dates and support category growth.
• Document activities through the Stage Gate process to ensure progress toward program objectives. Modify methodologies as needed to change activities and attain objectives.
• Assist the Research & Development associate with specs required and construction.
• Work with the Category Manager to understand the pricing.
• Assists with Scope, Kickoff, and Recap meetings and conducts internal sales presentations.
• Periodic retailer visits to review Coastal and competitive programs, as well as market research.
• Work on special assignments as assigned by the Category Manager or Leadership Team.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Qualifications:

Skills and knowledge required for this position would generally be acquired with a four-year college degree in marketing, Product Development or project management. Practical experience would consist of a minimum of two years in a related field. Experience with project management is beneficial. Must possess excellent time management and verbal communication skills and be able to compose meaningful and succinctly written communications. Computer literacy in Excel, PowerPoint and Word is required. Strong mathematical and financial skills are required. Having experience in Adobe Illustrator is a plus.

Competencies:

• Ensures accountability
• Action-oriented
• Manages ambiguity
• Collaborates
• Communicates effectively
• Manages complexity
• Customer focus
• Cultivates innovation
• Resilient

Note:

This description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions for the job identified for the purpose of job evaluations. It should not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job nor shall it be construed as giving an exclusive title to every function described.
This is an exempt position. General requirements of this position include, but are not limited to, regular attendance and the willingness and ability to work more than the regularly scheduled 40-hour workweek when requested by management.