Senior Product Manager

We seek a highly motivated and detail-oriented Sr. Product Manager to manage and perform all duties needed to develop new products for defined categories/target market to ensure profitable product lines based on marketing direction, customer direction, trends and corporate goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

• Comprehensive knowledge of the product development process, including design, color, fragrance, raw materials, labels, packaging, costing and manufacturing capabilities/challenges.
• Have a topside understanding of the science involved for specific candle product forms, glass, accessories and, as needed, other home fragrance products. This includes safety, quality and performance issues.
• Stay abreast of new candle, candle accessory, packaging and related home fragrance product trends. Understand their connection with lifestyle, home décor, design and color trends. Attend trade shows, conduct ongoing market shopping trips and review trade/trend publications to keep updated on product trends and competitive landscape.
• Be an expert on candles, candle accessories and related home fragrance products available in the marketplace.

PROJECT CONTROL & COMMUNICATION

• Work with the Director of Product Development for each new project to establish strategic direction based upon customer direction or based upon directive from upper management.
• Set deadlines and follow up to ensure compliance. Create and instigate solutions to problems as needed. Make use of an understanding of when to elevate issues and when to work independently.
• Focus on cost effective measures for existing and new products.
• Promote category and business growth for target markets in alignment with corporate goals.
• Create Project Scopes and Development Timelines for all new Product Introductions. Work closely with Operations Team and Sourcing Team to create timelines including dates to order raw materials. Accurately enter Quotes and PCOs (new product initiation system used to validate product and obtain costing) in a timely fashion and ensure they are properly prioritized for processing.
• Develop strong strategic alliances internally and externally. When dealing with all levels, always communicate an upbeat, constructive and progressive message.
• Create weekly project recaps, maintain time and action development calendars and initiate/update Line Lists and color/fragrance charts to keep entire team informed. Set priorities in alignment with Director of Product Development and ensure efforts are directed appropriately.
• Work closely with Fragrance, Design, Sourcing, Costing, Engineering, Product Development Lab, and outside suppliers throughout the development process to create new products & packaging and to ensure a timely handoff of product designs/specifications to obtain accurate prototypes, samples & manufacturing costs. Includes, but not limited to, thorough completion of Quotes and PCO’s.
• Ensure that final product, label and packaging prototypes selected for line adoption accurately represent production capabilities. Advise all pertinent teams of any special requirements needed to achieve production.
• Once a prototype is approved for production, manage completion of the product check list to ensure timely and accurate hand-off of final/approved product and packaging for Operations Project Manager to plan samples and/or actual production. Artwork, structure routing and tracking are a critical part of this process.
• Follow up on any product quality, safety and damage issues relating to product or product packaging design.
• Institute any changes that requested during the development phase or for subsequent reorders.
• Conduct a recap meeting with the Director of Product Development at the completion of each project to document how to capitalize on what went well and how to improve on what went wrong.

INNOVATION

• Lead the effort and perform all duties required to execute ongoing development of new products and packaging from initial concept through final prototype. In addition, keep existing products fresh and relevant.
• Keep Director of Product Development informed of progress throughout the development process and include in all meetings prior to making final recommendations.
• Partner with Product Development team members to identify upstream development opportunities and to lead the effort to follow them through completion.

ART/DESIGN DIRECTION

• Work closely with design team to provide top-line direction for product, label, packaging and graphic design. Conduct meetings with team members to ensure alignment of concepts, direction and cost parameters.
• Coordinate needs with design team to develop new candle concepts. Provide all pertinent information to ensure product meets design, timing and cost goals.
• Provide detailed product and packaging specs, substrate samples, product, and final packaging drawings for ease of execution.
• As needed, coordinate images and/or copy for new product sell sheets or catalogs.
• Work with design team to proof all packaging and collateral materials.

FRAGRANCE DIRECTION

• Work with Fragrance Team to brief fragrance development needs and obtain submissions based on fragrance & market trends. Conduct meetings with team members to ensure alignment of concepts, direction, cost and margin parameters.

IMPORT DIRECTION/ALTERNATIVE SOURCING

• Work with Global Sourcing Manager and other outside resources to procure import vessels, lids and non-Candle-lite manufactured product.
• Work with design team to provide detailed product and packaging specs, substrate samples, product and packaging final drawings for ease of execution.
• Approve all documentation and prototypes sent to suppliers.

CONSUMER INSIGHTS/DATA ANALYSIS

• Collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative consumer data from various sources, including EnLITEn (Proprietary Consumer Insights Platform), Mintel, surveys and reports provided by the Insights Manager.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate consumer insights into business strategies and product offerings.
• Create clear, actionable presentations to communicate findings to stakeholders, including management, Marketing, and Sales. Present insights in a visually engaging and easy-to-understand format, using charts, graphs, and headlines.

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION

• Demonstrates a positive, can-do attitude. Solves challenges within a constructive atmosphere.
• Attend necessary meetings in Leesburg (R&D, Product Development Meeting, Safety, Quality, Initial New Product Production runs).
• Enter project data (Quotes and Product Orders) into JD Edwards and maintain a hands-on understanding of the system
• With support from team members, present new lines developed at Stage Gate Meetings and Pricing Meetings for Sales and Management approval. Provide rational and background documentation.
• Initiate all product testing. Ensure imports comply with product testing.
• Accurately quote raw materials with Purchasing and Sourcing Departments. Adjust quantities quoted as necessary prior to PCO approval and BOM loaded.

Relationships:

• Reports directly to and works as needed with Director of Product Development.
• Works closely with Fragrance Team and Designers.
• Works closely with Marketing Department.
• Works closely with Global Sourcing Manager.
• Works closely with Leesburg Product Development Department.
• Works closely with Leesburg Engineering Department.
• Works closely with Leesburg Costing Department.
• Works closely with Leesburg Quality Department.
• Works with Leesburg and Blue Ash Purchasing Department.
• Works closely with packaging and other outside suppliers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Marketing or related field – or – related work experience in the candle industry.
• 5-8 years of product experience (i.e., buying, development).
• Proven exceptional abilities in process management and managing details.
• Professional level written and verbal skills using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Creative aptitude: experience in innovative product development preferred.
• Experience working on cross-functional teams.
• Availability to travel.

Preferred Experience:

• Home Interior or Consumer Products company experience in product development
• Experience with Mass Merchandise accounts.
• Experience with fragrance and color driven products.

Physical Qualifications:

• Vision and hearing correctable to within normal ranges

Able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.

Average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents

• Must be able to speak and write clearly and distinctly
• Must be able to bend, stoop and lift approx 10-20 lbs throughout the day
• Must be able to use required mechanical equipment
• Finger Dexterity

Using primarily just the fingers to make sure small movements such as typing & cutting.

• Repetitive Motions

Movements frequently and regularly required using the wrists, hands and / or fingers

• Must be able to work around fragrances, oils, potpourri, candles, related products, etc. daily
• Availability and ability to travel occasionally unassisted.
• Able to distinguish between subtle color & fragrance differences.

Key Measurements:

• Quantity of new product initiations that are in alignment with our corporate goals and profit goals.
• Meet product development timelines.
• Supply required data and complete all documents with a high level of accuracy.
• Coordinating the efforts of all contributing departments.
• Achieve target cost and margin goals for each line.
• Make group presentations with confidence and enthusiasm, using creative and organized product and presentation materials, supported with research, data and rationale.
• Consistent positive attitude and team player.
• Initiative to recommend new processes to improve efficiency, streamline tasks and reduce costs.
• Manage and mentor direct report to meet individual and team goals.