Thule Racks Product Manager Position Now Available

[thule racks guy]

Just a shout out to any Car Rack Resources regulars that have a hankering to join the best car rack team (go on ask anybody ) and have the qualifications and skills to fit this bill...

Job Title: Product Manager

Position Summary:
Thule, world leader in carrying, storage and organizational solutions for personal and professional cars, trucks and recreational vehicles, is experiencing tremendous growth and is in search of experienced Product Managers. This position would be located in Seymour, CT.

OVERVIEW
The Product Manager (PM) is responsible for delivery of product group(s)’ and/or new business initiative(s)’ annual budget and 3-year Volume, NS, EBIT and Share targets. The PM will have full P&L responsibility …. championing and managing their product group/new business initiative from creation and launch to management and exit. The PM will work independently, with the team BM and with a cross-functional team (engineering, sales, purchasing, manufacturing, finance, quality).

Primary Responsibilities:
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Plan Development
• Monitor and analyze market trends … recommend new product and business opportunities.
• Collaborate and develop product solutions for Top 20 Sales Teams and Key Customers
• Lead development of competitive review with implications and recommended actions
• Lead development of product positioning, pricing, assortment and channel strategy
• Contribute to development of budget and 3YR obj, strategies and measures

Market Plan Execution
• Full P&L accountability for a product(s) and/or key business initiative
• Deliver fiscal volume and share…develop contingency plans against anticipated shortfalls
• Own and champion product(s)/key initiative(s)/new product launches throughout organization
• Lead assortment, pricing, merchandising, shelving in collaboration with sales
• Review and recommend price, portfolio and spend deviations
• Develop and recommend yearly/monthly sales forecasts for specific product categories.
• Develop and recommend sales promotions by working with Sales and Marketing Communications
• Develop, recommend and deliver product training/communication to sales, company and trade

Consumer Knowledge
• Own business and consumer analysis and tracking for product group and/or initiative
• Contribute to understanding of target consumers / shoppers needs & motivations
• Help identify meaningful consumer insights and actions; recommend action plans

Innovation
• Lead development and qualification of business building product / conceptual initiatives
• Recommend development of a 18-24 month pipeline of incremental / breakthrough innovation
• Recommend and lead new product development (specs, profit, market feedback, launch strat)
• Prepare critical TPS Phase approvals … deliver initiatives on time and to spec
• Develop and gain approval of package design and artwork development briefs

Capability
• Hire, develop & retain passionate and results driven APMs (where applicable)
• Recommend and implement improved processes … share knowledge beyond team
• Collaborate and share learning across cross-functional team and organization
• Develop and conduct direct report performance reviews and development plan (where applicable)
• Partner with other Regions to share and reapply products, strategies and best practices


Position Requirements/Compensation/etc...
RECOMMENDED POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
1. 3-5 years experience in product management (outdoor and/or CPG industry exp preferred)
2. B.A or B.S. degree (MBA preferred) or equivalent experience
3. Management of PM/NPD Teams
4. Engineering, product design experienced (desired)
5. Leadership and management of cross-functional team
6. Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills.
7. Excellent strategic thinking and decision making
8. Experience with all facets of product management and NPD
9. Highly organized and detail oriented
10. Relocation to Seymour, CT