Product Line Manager

Posted by Trango on 08/23/2021

Job Basics

Industry Sector: Outdoor

Job Categories: Management - Product -Brand

Company Type: HardGoods/Equipment

State: CO

City: Lafayette

Country: United States

Required Experience: 7 - 10 years

Job Type: Full Time

Salary:

Required to Relocate: Yes

Required to Travel: Yes

Employee May Telecommute: No

Job Seeker Must Live Within:

Job Description & Requirements

Summary:

As the leader of the GTHI product team, the Product Line Manager sets and executes the product line strategies for Trango and eGrips. Reporting to the President, the PLM serves as the hub for all things product. From concept to reality, the PLM will drive the data-driven creation of new, innovative, and profitable products while also managing updates to existing products. You will have the ability to shape and execute a broad array of products as part of your role. It requires someone who is a self-starter and willing to lead.

Product Line Strategy:

-              Develop understanding of both GTHI brands, customers, and consumers and use this analysis to create a long-term product line       strategy to increase line width, promote further market saturation, and identify voids to fill in the market.

-              Lead the product line planning, development, creation, and manufacturing processes to bring GTHI products to market.

-              Create product line planning calendar, product status tracking tools, and deadlines for product creation process

-              Implement a schedule of product improvements for existing product lines

Key Relationship Management:

-              Identify, foster, and manage relationships with design, materials, and manufacturing vendors

-              Communicate the data-driven vision for each product line to internal and external stakeholders

-              Clearly articulate product vision to external designers and partners to ensure accuracy and efficiency

-              Serve as primary contact for warranty, quality assurance, and other product issues from the customer service team

-              Responsible for management and development of the product team including conducting performance reviews, mentoring, goal         setting, coordinating training activities, and facilitating individual project progress for both internal and external team members

Product Creation:

-              Use industry analytics, sell through reporting, and cost analysis to identify product line opportunities

-              Create continual product line improvement by identifying and updating and refreshing existing products as determined by key             metrics and consistent monitoring of product lifecycles

-              Support product launches through the creation and maintenance of accurate product information and selling points for sales and        marketing teams

-              Have final production samples in-hand prior to the start of trade show season

-              Work with industrial designers, design engineer and marketing to support and empower them to perform their individual work f           function to the best of their ability along with efforts to continuously improve

-              Understanding of Product Drawings, Specs, Engineering Change orders, and BOM creation

Product Management:

-              Manage product quality issues with regards to communications and corrective actions

-              Ensure all technical marketing and public facing information is accurate and complete

-              Partner effectively with technical counterparts for product specifications and certifications

-              Collaborate with Marketing in the public education products and related techniques for brand growth; i.e. via partnerships with trade publications

-              Oversee the field-testing program

-              Owns Packaging implementation and Standardization across the Product Lines, works with both internal and external partners to      achieve brand representation.

-              Plan budgets

-              When and where necessary, provide mediation during the product creation process to ensure the project outcome aligns with the       project brief and the overall strategy and mission.

-              Assign appropriate product team resources to new product projects, including coordinating work with outside design consultants        and firms (when appropriate)

-              Analyze resources needed for new and on-going product team issues; report to, advise and update senior leadership appropriately.

-              Work closely with purchasing and supply chain to identify and onboard new vendors to support product innovation

-              Responsible for CE tracking and implementation

-              Work to bring sustainability into product design and adhere to standards

-              Increase Social Accountability of product manufacturing

-              Responsible for leading, inspecting as needed, maintaining and setting QA standards for all new product

Qualifications:

-              Strong understanding of outdoor industry and climbing market

-              Advanced knowledge of techniques in climbing (bouldering, sport, trad, alpine, and gym climbing)

-              Experience leading and managing individuals, teams, and business partnerships

-              Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 35% of the time

-              Expert at analyzing markets and identifying potential opportunities

-              Experience and ability to work with and protect proprietary, private, and confidential information

-              CAD and 3D modeling experience a Plus

-              Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast paced, changing environment.

-              Strong communication skills with an emphasis on cross-cultural communication

-              Comprehensive understanding of product design and global manufacturing enterprises combined with the leadership traits and           communication skills required to excel in this environment.

-              Demonstrated technical proficiency and direct management and/or project leadership skills. These will include personal success in     product creation as well as a positive leadership experiences in directing and mentoring other skilled product teams.

-              Extensive knowledge of specific manufacturing techniques such as, machining, forging, forming, casting, plastic injection molding,     lamination, cut & sew, knitting, braiding, and weaving

-              Experience with quality systems, lean manufacturing techniques, sourcing and vendor qualification, product design, cost                   management, MRP and global logistics is desired.

-              Strong leadership, collaboration and negotiation skills are required. Thorough knowledge of MS office tools required.

-              Must be able to understand the product and provide critical feedback on product function.

About Trango

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1991, Trango is a company of climbers who design products to improve the climbing experience.  We work to share our vertical inspiration with everyone, helping climbers to test their strength, challenge their limits, and live in the ascent. We globally produce and distribute over 20 categories of innovative climbing equipment including carabiners, belay devices, harnesses, ropes, helmets, climbing holds, shoes, and more. We are state of the art. We are progressive and aggressive in our pursuit of excellence. We are worldwide and climbing to new heights.