Associate Product Manager

This range is provided by The Planet Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Direct message the job poster from The Planet Group Base pay range $90,000.00/yr - $110,000.00/yr Salary Range: 90-110k depending on experience Bonus: 10% annual bonus Position Summary The Associate Product Manager will support the execution of product strategy, packaging, lifecycle management, and sales enablement for assigned product categories—primarily focusing on bread and sauces. This role partners closely with the Senior Product Marketing Manager to help maintain the integrity and performance of the company’s catalog SKUs. The Associate Product Marketing Manager will collaborate cross-functionally with Brand Marketing, Sales, Innovation, Regulatory, and Operations, playing a critical role in ensuring our products are positioned for success throughout their lifecycle. Key Responsibilities Assist in the execution of strategic planning and lifecycle management for all product segments, with a primary focus on bread and sauce categories. Support the development and maintenance of product messaging, including descriptive copy, features, benefits, and claims. Analyze SKU and category data to monitor category and item-level sales trends, incorporating customer feedback to identify areas for growth and improvement. Assist in competitive pricing audit and analysis to inform product enhancements and portfolio strategy. Lifecycle Management & Packaging Manage product-related data including UPCs, GTINs, and internal system setup in coordination with regulatory and operations teams. Support packaging graphics development by compiling relevant data, reviewing print and artwork approvals for accuracy, and delivering constructive feedback. Assist with trademark compliance and retrieval of current packaging for renewals. Track and support activities related to SKU optimization, phase-ins/phase-outs, and packaging transitions. Participate in project updates and commercialization meetings related to bread and sauce projects and help facilitate marketing-related responsibilities. Partner with the Senior Product Marketing Manager and Commercialization Managers to remain informed of project status and contribute insights that ensure product strategy alignment. Remain aware of Customer-Specific SKU development to maintain understanding of the full product portfolio. Support post-launch success through management of S&OP inputs, forecasting alignment, and demand planning collaboration; assist with management of alert and distressed inventory as well as SKU rationalization and portfolio optimization initiatives for assigned product categories. Assist in the development of sell sheets, attribute charts, product catalogs, and sales decks. Manage all product listings and master data across key trade and customer portals—including Syndigo, One World Sync, GS1 and customer specific portals—to ensure accuracy of content including marketing related attributes, digital assets, and product specifications. Serve as the lead Marketing point of contact for all local operator support initiatives, customer meetings, trade shows, and internal go-to-market planning sessions. Oversee GS1 photography by coordinating with vendor partner, arranging product shipments, and ensuring timely receipt and organization of assets in Brandfolder. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field. 2–4 years of relevant experience in CPG, foodservice, or retail marketing roles. Strong project coordination and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with data entry, analysis, and presentation. Ability to travel (up to 10%). Preferred Qualifications Experience working with food or perishable goods categories. Familiarity with packaging development, regulatory review, and commercialization processes. Prior exposure to systems such as Syndigo, One World Sync, GS1 or Salesforce. Experience working with S&OP, forecasting, or demand planning teams. Core Competencies Highly organized with strong attention to detail. Collaborative team player with a proactive and adaptable mindset. Analytical thinker with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Clear written and verbal communication skills. Customer-first mindset and business acumen. Seniority level: Associate Employment type: Full-time Job function: Product Management Industries: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The Planet Group by 2x Get notified about new Product Manager jobs in Chicago, IL. We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI. #J-18808-Ljbffr