Job description

Job Title: Product Manager

Department: Product & Sourcing

Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Location: Winchester, VA, Office Based

Melnor, Inc. is a rapidly growing leading supplier of high-quality Lawn and Garden products. Headquartered in Winchester, VA, we are dedicated to serving the North American and European Lawn & Garden industry. We offer a rewarding work environment with growth opportunities while maintaining a small company, employee-focused atmosphere.

Job Summary:

We are searching for a detailed-oriented analyst with strong communication skills and aptitude for project management. This role will assist in executing programs and plans while serving as a liaison with internal and external customers. Assists VP of Product & Sourcing with development, implementation, and maintenance of Melnor’s product line. A strong self-starter, the candidate will be able to work independently to develop solutions to support other departments to ensure continuity in product offering and company goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Product Manager has cradle to grave ownership of all products and product development process. Develops and executes to a road map of new products based on a deep understanding of the market, end user needs, internal capabilities, sourcing capabilities, route to market reach, and the competition.
• Serves as project manager for all new product development programs, overseeing the New Product Criteria Sheet and Marketing Change Request processes.
• Serves as project manager for all new product development programs, owning speed, quality, and cost targets.
• Understand consumer needs and purchase decision drivers within served and target categories.
• Expert on all aspects of the competition and has a deep understanding of competitive products.
• Monitors market trends, regulations, and emerging technologies.
• Establishes targeted position in the marketplace for the product vs. competition based on feature-benefit value to maximize balance of profitability and sales.
• Assists VP of Product & Sourcing to announce annual new products.
• Identifies most attractive routes to market (RTM) for products developed and provides sales with most promising targets.
• Develops new product launch plans and complete package for introduction to sales and the marketplace.
• Responsible for the excess inventory sales by creating promotional plans.
• Responsible for non-standard sample orders to meet Marketing Action Request requirements
• Identifies industry experts and thought leaders to advocated new, interesting products.
• Must be able to analyze consumer needs and purchase decision drivers, market sizes, market trends and shares.
• Assists VP of Product & Sourcing to works with sales managers to select best products for their customers.
• Responsible for creating and managing documentations as well as leading meetings used in internal product development and update processes.
• Work with marketing department to develop materials to promote products to specifiers and customers
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education:

• Four-year BS/BA degree required, minimum 3-5 years marketing, or engineering experience, MBA preferred
• Three years marketing or product development experience in Lawn & Garden or related field required

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent communication and organization skills, ability to handle multiple projects at any given time.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, effectively collaborating with other departments.
• Flexibility and adaptability to fluid situations is essential.
• Must be able to multi-task, work in a fast-paced environment, react to changing priorities, meet deadlines and provide timely responses to internal and external customers.
• Must have proven track record of successful development (e.g. Gantt Chart) and launch of manufactured durable goods from concept creation to launch.
• Must be able to work cross functionally with members of other departments and associates in other countries. Flexibility and cultural awareness are a must. Experience sourcing products overseas is a plus.
• Must have advanced experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and all current browsers. Also prefer experience in Microsoft Project and WordPress or other web development tools.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Team player who collaborates well with others
• Ability to maintain a keen attention to detail, multitask and work well under pressure
• Three years marketing or product development experience in Lawn & Garden or related field preferred

Hours of Work:

Flex time with core hours Monday – Thursday (9am – 4pm), Friday (9am – 2 pm), 40-hour work week with some overtime as needed

Stress Factors:

High stress level at times, with changing priorities in work assignments.

Work Environment:

• The performance of this position requires exposure to the warehouse.
• The individual is exposed to a typical office environment with ambient room temperature, lighting, and traditional office equipment.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk a minimum of 8 hours per day.
• Individuals may be required to reach above shoulder height, below waist or lift as required to file documents or to reach for product throughout the workday; lifting will include up to 25 pounds. Proper lifting techniques are required.

Other Requirements:

The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Melnor, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Winchester, VA 22603: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: One location

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