Summary:
This position has responsibility for all aspects of the Product Management function for applicable product group to the identified sector (currently responsible for over $80M in annual revenue and extends across four brands with potential for substantial near-term growth in both areas). Areas of focus include product definition, positioning, pricing, life cycle planning/management, competitive analysis and launch strategies. This position will also serve as the process owner of the company’s gated review process for all new product development in these categories. This position is responsible for creating, managing and directing the execution of world-class product realization plans and initiatives as they apply to the business.
Responsibilities:
• Conduct market analysis of customer wants/needs in each of the following product categories and identify market opportunities for these products and the likely response of competitors.
• Oversee product ideation (fully defining proposed products' form, features, and function to communicate & partner with Engineering consistently.
• Match product development capabilities and resources with the opportunities identified and/or identify potential business partners where these products can be branded, sourced or co-developed.
• Establish, justify and implement specific product and marketing strategies / tactics aimed at optimizing the performance of both new and existing products as well as increasing market share in the commercial business sector.
• Work directly and effectively with the entire Commercial Marketing and Sales team to gather all product positioning inputs and use outside resources such as focus groups, customer surveys, etc. to fine tune these plans.
• Ensure that relevant data and inputs from the marketplace provide accurate forecasts to support product development and introductions.
• Manage the project portfolio to ensure alignment with product line “end-of-life” analysis, to include the elimination of redundancy, the identification of obsolescence and the proposal of product deletion plans.
• Research, calculate and propose competitive pricing plans using Value Based Pricing. Ensure target profit goals are met taking into account approved discounts and rebates available to customers and consumers.
• Coordinate the flow of products through the new product development pipeline using the gated process working closely with Sales, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, and Customer Support.
• Ensure development timelines are rigorously enforced and that product development and launch milestones stay on track.
• Provide reports on competitive activities/offerings, maintain knowledge of competitive features, and incorporate appropriate and/or discriminate features in the Warrior Systems product line to outpace competitors.
• Capture, communicate and implement the product needs, market drivers, trends, and other important business intelligence of the diverse customer segments (Small Retailers, International customers, OEMs, Distributors, Wholesalers, Buying Groups, Big Box chains, Industry professionals, conservation groups, etc.).
• Exercise good judgment by operating within broadly defined guidelines consistent with obtaining product lines results and support of the day-to-day operations.
Qualifications:
• Bachelors in Business, Marketing, Engineering or similar/related field, or equivalent experience in a Product Management function.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible product management or engineering/product development experience, preferably in both small and large company environments.
• Experience developing products and/or growth strategies/tactics in the defense, weapon(s), training device(s), or other similar markets.
