The Product Manager is responsible for delivering a successful new product development program and supporting the products through training materials and marketing literature and content.

The Product Manager will support the overarching product strategy as set by the Marketing Manager – Product.

This role includes responsibility for the management of a varied product portfolio. The successful candidate will have a high level of organization, be passionate about becoming the expert in a particular category and have a commitment to work to deadlines.

• Product marketing experience,
• Ability to manage projects and take internal customers with you i.e. effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritise multiple projects and demanding deadlines,
• Degree in R&D or Marketing,
• Ability to quickly adapt and optimise the use of new technology and systems,
• Experience of working in the Industrial Wood / woodcare an advantage.
• Fluent in English,
• Travels requirements: up to 20%

Product Portfolio Management

• Manage the product life cycle including ongoing Mrex rationalization
• Management of the New Product Development Pipeline through Stagegate.
• Manage NPD projects from concept to launch, delivering innovative products that increase market share and profitability. Utilize Salesforce and Navigator consistently.

Product Plans

• Develop product plans using a strong understanding of consumers and customers to ensure success when presenting business opportunities
• Work under the guidance of the Segment and Brand Managers to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of plans
• Support whole marketing and sales teams
• Approve and prioritization of the Lab Work Request (LWR)

Insights

• Develop expert knowledge of products – be the ‘go to’ authority
• Closely monitor competitor ranges, strategy, pricing architecture and strengths and weaknesses
• Develop knowledge of the end users for a specific product category alongside the brand and comms team
• Work with the data analyst to analyze category dynamics and product performance, provide recommendations

Packaging and Quality

• Ensure products are of an appropriate quality and performance level to meet end user needs.
• Ensure packaging enhances the brand and is fit for purpose with the Packaging manager.
• Reacts to quality related initiatives and puts appropriate plans into action.
• Liaise with Quality teams on product quality issues and work closely with R&D teams to resolve.
• Manage certification and additional material to promote products, in alignment with Brand and Segment Manager.
• Manage product technical datasheets from technical data documents provided by R&D ensuring regulatory and legal compliance.
• Contribute to SDS process and 3rd party vendor.

Budget and Cost Control

• Follow processes set for budget control, raising or recipting PO’s,
• Implement cost saving measures aided by the purchasing specialist for Marketing,
• Management of product cost of their portfolio to ensure market and company needs are met,

Training and Shows

• Assist with product training both internally and externally
• Work with Training and Sales Excellence Manager on content and demos as needed
• Provide content as determined with Brand, Segment and Communication teams

Product Information and Colour Management

• Product set up internally and externally (customers and vendors),
• Supply product information for online i.e. websites, academy, STEP, etc and proactively maintain to ensure accuracy of product information,
• Give product guidance to the Brand, Segment, Communications and Channel teams as needed,
• Product information sign off for all content where products are featured,
• Creation of non customer specific POS and literature,
• Input where appropriate creation of colour database and manage colour work planning for products in their portfolio,

Working relationships (internal)

• Build excellent relationships internally to influence cross functional teams and ensure buy-in to the plans and form future plans
• Ensure excellent marketing department relationships to guide and drive the right strategic direction re: npd etc
• Ensure that communication and processes are open and efficient,

Management of direct reports

• Define and agree a personal development plan for direct reports
• Ensure direct reports are prioritizing based on business needs and communicating effectively