Product Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Manager works under the Director of Product Management. This position encompasses product management over all departments and products within the company. The Product Manager is a champion for new product introduction that will drive long-term growth for Red Gold and is a knowledge center for the entire product portfolio. This role provides cross-functional leadership and bridges organizational gaps between different functional groups, such as Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Sales, and Customer Service. The position assists in the development and execution of the short- and long-term product & selling strategies. The position also requires continual evaluation of how well the company's products meet current and potential customer & consumer needs versus the competition.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Product Knowledge and Portfolio Management

• Be a knowledge expert of product categories and competitive product offerings in the marketplace
• Be a knowledge base of manufacturing capabilities for each plant's asset footprint as well as product formulas associated with the products produced by or for Red Gold
• Creative development for sell sheets, marketing collateral and product initiatives
• Responsible for the content of the Private Brands and Co-Pack/Industrial sections of the corporate website

Management of Purchased Product

• Oversee the purchased product supply chain procurement process, including the ketchup equipment purchased for Foodservice sales efforts and Retail shipper material
• Identify potential manufacturers for new products as needed and lead the negotiation of the business relationship around pricing and agreements
• Responsible for purchased product contract management and communicating price updates internally

New Product Development and Sales Execution

• Champion NPI projects from ideation to commercialization, ensuring customer and company timelines are met
• Contribute to bi-weekly Transition meetings to keep projects moving forward and on time
• Coordinate and lead cross-functional 1^st production planning meetings
• Identify new product areas for growth through category reviews, analyzing new item sales trends, and market trend analysis
• Create well thought-out business cases and rational support to support innovation & NPI pursuits
• Proactively work cross functionally with Sales and Marketing teams to deliver results
• Track and monitor succuss of the company's new products as well as those offered by competitors
• Supports trade show events for the selling of existing and new products

Product Research, Analysis, & Reporting

• Conduct category, product, competitive, and consumer research and analysis leading to the development of actionable insights for product growth strategies and innovation
• Participates in the analysis and reporting of slow moving and low profit items
• Effectively present product and sales data in group meetings
• Develop internal and external selling presentations and materials for product initiatives that communicate business opportunities and recommend action plans

Project Management

• Participate in ongoing workflow measures for established processes
• Organize and lead bi-weekly packaging meetings to keep packaging projects moving forward and on time
• Maintain concise project summaries and trackers, conducting periodic reviews with involved stakeholders
• Initiates transition projects with Product Transition Coordinator and with the field sales team and then offers needed support through completion

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct: None

Indirect: None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• To perform this job successfully, the physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

While performing the duties of this job:

• The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time whether that be sitting or standing
• The employee must be able to use fingers to constantly operate a computer or other type of office equipment
• The employee in this position must be able to regularly walk
• The employees must be able to use hands to handle and feel
• The employee must be able to reach with both hands and arms
• The employee must be able to visually detect, perceive, or recognize in near and far distances
• The employee must be able to converse or convey with other individuals
• The employee may occasionally be required to crouch
• The employee may occasionally lift/carry items as heavy as 25 pounds

JOB COMPETENCIES

• Ethics/ Integrity/ Trust

• Attitude and Commitment

• Diversity

• Customer Service

• Company Engagement

• Quality

• Cost Consciousness

• Business Savvy

• Planning/ Organizing

• Strategic Thinking

• Delegation

• Creativity and Innovation