Product Manager, Travel Gear & Watches

Manager, Product, Watches and Travel Gear

Objective:

Responsible to direct product management activities for North America Watches and Travel Gear businesses which includes portfolio architecture analysis, assortment recommendations, product launch coordination, sales support, pricing, distribution strategy, competitor analysis, new product recommendations, and forecasting. Position will involve frequent coordination and communication with Switzerland-based teams. 

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Resourceful, solution-oriented, creative, and analytical thinker.
• Ability to work well in a team environment in person and remotely. 
• Ability to balance multiple projects by prioritizing and delegating effectively.
• Attention to detail with strong planning and execution capabilities.
• Adaptability and openness to new ideas, innovation, and change.
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit, confidence, and leadership traits to drive progress.

 Primary Responsibilities:

Product & Product Portfolio Management

• Own assortment planning initiatives to promote sku productivity, assortment commonality, global alignment, and impactful and compelling product mix. 
• Partner with sales leads, sales planning, and finance teams on distribution and pricing strategies. 
• Manage North America’s new product launches which includes setting up skus, compiling initial forecasts, instructing supply chain to place purchase orders, managing distribution and exclusions, calculating pricing, coordinating sell sheets, and communicating with all pertinent internal departments.
• Be the “go-to” person with Switzerland’s product teams on the development of new product requirements, definitions, ex-factory and wholesale pricing and ensuring timelines are met. Responsible for coordinating and consolidating NA product launch feedback at each gate within the PDP process.
• Drive SKU rationalization exercises as well as phase-out strategies to ensure inventory optimization and productivity. Ensure global coordination as necessary.
• Work in conjunction with the global and local marketing teams for the creation of training materials and account specific pitch decks.
• Responsible for the creation and communication of price lists
• Manage the approval process on prototypes and samples of product. 
• Regularly conduct competitive analysis and review trade information to identify trends and opportunities for the North American market. 
• Assist with and/or respond to all internal and external inquiries related to products.
• Manage communication flow on QC issues. 

Product & Technical Training

• Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support to ensure flow of communication and distribution of support materials.
• Seasonally conduct meetings for internal employees to provide training on new products, assortments and strategy.
• Create and present product and strategy guides at sales meetings.
• Attend and assist Regional and National Account Managers in key sales appointments.
• Complete and maintain a competitive analysis by family, SKU and technical features. 

Packaging

• Work on local market certifications and subsequent product and packaging marking requirements. 
• Work with local and global teams to review, improve and align on cohesive design, messaging, and construction on all products’ packaging
• Work with global team on the development and requirements for packaging designs for specific programs and customers.
• Resolve packaging issues by investigating damaged products, evaluating changes, and communicating with relevant parties. 

Desired Skills/Experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in Product Management.
• Experience in Watches or Travel industry is a plus
• Ability to work collaboratively with global product teams.
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office a requirement (especially Excel); proficiency in SAP is a plus.