Product Manager - Pet Industry, Dog Toys (CPG)

Position Overview

The Product Manager for our dog toy category will be responsible for driving category growth, profitability, and strategic direction for assigned product lines via excellent portfolio management and flawless execution of new product development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Using consumer & market insights, the Product Manager becomes the expert authority of the assigned product line.  Be able to articulate who the target is, their pain points and unmet needs and develop strategies to solve those problems via new product development.
• Create and implement annual product line roadmap, vision, and growth strategy that supports the overall company vision.  
• Deliver consistent, profitable growth by leading cross-functional teams in the development and execution of new products from ideation to commercialization
• Initiate necessary research to support new product development partnering with consumer insights to validate concepts, understand usability and assess willingness to pay.
• Create and manage lifecycle plans for all SKUs to optimize customer product placement, exposure, and category profitability.
• Establish MSRPs and list prices that optimize internal profitability while creating success in the marketplace. 
• Manage product portfolio to ensure comprehensive breadth and depth of offering with logical trade up value proposition
• Participate in customer meetings when required and serve as the company’s category expert providing insights required for future growth.
• Conduct competitive market research. Analyze the different products that customers carry and remain aware of competitor’s products, pricing, and selling practices.   
• Collaborate with sourcing and manufacturing partners to coordinate development and obtain specifications and costing for new items.
• Research new materials and processes for creating innovative products.
• Develop fact-based selling stories that include research, strategy, pricing, and timelines to support product launches.
• Prepare for and attend regular meetings with the commercial team.
• Understand the financial contribution of assigned product line. Manage the P&L and inventory turns.
• Review product line for profitability in sales and contribution margin that drive growth. Identify and drive cost down initiatives where applicable.

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or other related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of proven Product Management experience; Consumer Product Goods (CPG) industry, durables preferred.
• Strategic, critical and creative thinker with strong business acumen.
• Strong leader with excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with an above-average attention to details.
• Experience with gathering consumer insights and market data to assist in product modification or new product opportunities.
• Ability to multi-task and work within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Above average PowerPoint and Excel skills (ability to develop and manipulate spreadsheets).
• An interest in products that foster solutions to improve the world of pets for all families.

Petmate is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.