Product Development Manager
Posted by NITE IZE INC on 07/23/2024
Job Basics
Industry Sector: Outdoor
Job Categories: Design - Engineer
Company Type: Accessories
State: CO
City: Boulder
Country: United States
Required Experience: 5 - 7 years
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: 81,800-98,200
Required to Relocate:
Required to Travel:
Employee May Telecommute: No
Job Seeker Must Live Within:
Job Description & Requirements
Description:
About Nite Ize
Nite Ize is a Boulder-based company that distributes over 500 innovative products worldwide to the largest retailers in the world. We pride ourselves in being fun and functional, trusted and innovative, and obsessively dedicated to making products that are not only guaranteed for life but guaranteed to improve your life. We are focused on creatively solving everyday problems through inventions like the Spotlit pet light, Steelie magnetic phone mounts, Gear Tie reusable rubber twist ties, S-biner dual carabiners and more!
Our success is rooted in integrity and in keeping our promises to each other and to our customers. Nite Ize provides employees an exceptional workplace that is respectful and considerate. We value our employees, and, in return, our employees have been the key contributors to our success since 1989.
The Development Team's Product Development Manager serves an important role in developing and implementing product line and category strategies and projects to help increase sales and profitability while balancing the need for sustainable growth. This role is responsible for both the strategic planning of the products within the portfolio of Nite Ize product categories and developing new products and processes through close work with key stakeholders and cross functional teams.
The position for Product Development Manager will be open until July 31, 2024.
Key Responsibilities for Product Development Manager
- Devises long-term product development strategies for assigned product categories and lead them, along with the Development team Project Coordinator and Director of Engineering, from project brief to launch.
- Oversees and manages daily activities of the PD Project Management team, providing resources and support to ensure they are individually and collaboratively successful in their roles.
- Works closely with VP of Innovation to provide inputs on the overall business plan and interrelated strategies across all categories.
- Analyzes data and insights to determine industry and consumer spaces for growth.
- Works closely with VP of Innovation to determine the positioning and pricing for new products to maximize acceptance within target consumer and channel profile.
- Provides input on initial forecasts for product demand to ensure the viability of projects based on data and insights.
- Serves as the product sales and marketing data conduit for Innovation team.
- Leads the End-of-Life (EOL) process across multiple departments and teams. Facilitates communication of product lifecycle through organization and assists in establishing EOL strategies.
- Responsible for effective project management of all product development projects from idea concept to launch, as well as special projects with out of sequence launch or urgent deadlines.
- Coordinates communication between Development, Engineering, Graphic Design, Marketing, Operations, Sales, Finance, and supply teams to create and maintain a sense cohesiveness and information sharing for successful product launches, including timeline visibility, project status updates, status reports, project database management, etc.
- Assists VP of Innovations with development and adherence to project and department budgets.
- Ensures all departments are meeting designated timelines for New Product Launch and out of sequence deliverables.
- Coordinates and leads project update meetings with management and cross-departmental teams.
- Facilitates product brief development by conducting competitor research, Marketing/Creative Services team on creation of creative/packaging briefs, and new product names. Works with VP of Innovation to follow through on approvals.
- Provides Operations and Finance with price, part numbers, MOQ/quantity, lead time for new product SPL/FPL PO's
- Actively tracks progress of sample parts & pre-production parts for product development through commercialization and hand-off to Operations
- Provides administrative assistance to Product Development team through, purchasing R&D samples, managing margin/costing sheets for new products, and securing collateral for pre-launch sales meetings.
- Communicates with factory contacts regarding new products and product pricing negotiations.
- Works closely with VP of Innovation and Director of Engineering to manage status of projects and needs of the team.
- Constructs bi-annual sales launch presentation and project scoring/prioritization meetings.
- Assists other team members with projects outside of products, including, but not limited to, displays, programs, processes, and team activities.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Engineering, Business Administration, Marketing, or other related field.
5-10 years related experience as individual contributor in category management, project management, product design and development, and/or similar.
Solid knowledge of category management, product development, marketing, and sales principles.
Possess strong planning skills as well as analytical, problem solving, strategic thinking, and project management.
Proven report generating abilities and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Oracle Cloud software, required. Knowledge of SmartSheet or other project tracking software, required.
Knowledge of Nite Ize products and processes preferred.
Ability to cultivate relationships, both internal and external. Excellent communication and people skills.
Must be extremely self-motivated and able to exhibit out-of-the-box thinking to formulate new and creative ways of doing things; challenge assumptions, be comfortable with uncertainty, and have a future-oriented focus.
Must exhibit a high degree of flexibility, maintain a solution-driven focus in challenging situations, and adapt quickly to the ever-changing business requirements.
Must be able to walk around manufacturing facilities and/or factories for extended periods of time.
Must be able to walk up and down stairs.
Must be able to use and test Nite Ize products.
Must be able to move and lift boxes up to 30 lbs
Must be able to communicate fluently (read, write, and speak) in English.
Ability to travel as required
Must be 18 or older to apply.
Work Hours: Work hours may vary, but typically consist of regular office hours (Monday through Friday). Occasional weekend or evening work may be required to work with factories or vendors overseas or in different time zones. May need to travel outside of the US, therefore, must have, or be able to obtain, a US passport and travel overseas. This is a regular, benefits-eligible position.
Hiring Compensation for Product Development Manager: Hiring pay: $81,800 - $98,200 annual base salary, DOQ.
Nite Ize offers a comprehensive, voluntary benefits program which includes:
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Matching 401K Plan
- Vacation and Sick Leave
- 8 Paid Holidays
- Discounted pricing on Nite Ize products
- Fitness Facility and Professional Trainer Discounts
- Short-term and Long-term Disability
- Life/AD&D
- Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts and/or Health Savings Account
- Pet Insurance
- And more!
Product Development Manager Reports to: VP of Innovation
Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/WJR2BYF7gVYA5CLDAC7N4p
PI244094766
