Product Manager - Kitchen Storage (Copco Division)

Wilton Products, Inc., a leading designer and marketer of housewares products, has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Product Manager in our Copco division. Our offices our located in Woodridge, Illinois. This position offers challenging projects, high visibility with senior management and a cross-functional team environment. Learn more about Wilton/Copco products at www.wilton.com and www.copco.com.

 

As Product Manager you will report to a Group Product Manager and be responsible for the development of products for our Kitchen Storage category. You will act as a mini “General Managerâ€� of categories assigned and take responsibility for the total, integrated, process of category/product management, from concept through discontinuation of assigned categories. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to: concept design and development; timeline development and management; agent/trader/factory coordination; designer coordination; pricing and margin management; quality standards; market assessment; initial Marketing forecast for starting inventory levels; coordination with Marketing Communication for launch; and Marketing support/ packaging. He/she will liaison/coordinate with Inventory, Supply Chain/QC, Sales and Operations to effectively and efficiently develop, launch and manage assigned categories; and ensure all parties are continually in synch at all times. 

 

 RESPONSIBILITIES

 

· Continually monitor market place, retail activity, category/sub segment size, growth rates and competitive trends to maintain a contemporary understanding of assigned categories.

· Develop competitive matrix, market positioning, Marketing Plan, timeline, and written channel strategy for all new proposals. Acts as the corporate expert for assigned categories.

· Manage timelines and communicate proactively any issues that arise, which can jeopardize meeting timelines.

· Manage outside designers, engineers, manufacturers and testing firms in creating and designing products.

· Serve as point-person and “go-to� person for all internal functions (Inventory, Supply Chain/QC, Operations/Warehouse, Sales, Finance)

· Negotiate price, product / quality, timeline specifications with factories.

· Prepare cost estimates, CSRs, Fact Sheets and reviews/input into PEs for customer specific projects.

· Troubleshoot issues/problems that arise throughout the process. Specifically address sales failures and propose corrective action plan

· Continually remain abreast of COG report and other key category data, including: YTD sales/margin vs. plan and vs. LY;  our key retailers; current inventory levels and out of stock issues.

· Periodically recommend skus for discontinuation. Actively make recommendations for items still in distribution, but assumed to be dropped in future.

· Work with Sales and Customers in designing and making changes to products to meet Customer needs and requirements as necessary and as account priorities are approved by management.

· Assist with the preparation of the product catalogs/sell sheets and packaging.

· Ensure spending is within assigned budget or prior approval is granted for spending in excess of budget.

· Be available/on call for weekly Inventory meeting.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

· A Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Marketing or a related field.

· 3-5 years of product management experience in a consumer product environment within the housewares or hardware industries.

· Excellent PC, systems, organizational skills are required.

· High level of written and oral communication skills.

· Excellent interpersonal skills.

· Ability to assume high level of “responsibility without authority� situations .

· Must be passionate about their categories

· Ability to travel overseas a few times per year to meet and work with vendors in the design and production of products.

· Ability to manage multiple projects at one time.

· Ability to meet timeline deadlines, some of which may be fairly aggressive.

· Ability to work cross-functionally in order to meet project deadlines.

 

Our benefit package includes life/health/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) after 6 months, educational assistance and employee discounts on our products.

CONTACT INFORMATION: For immediate consideration, please forward your resume in an MSWord Format and current compensation / salary requirements to:  Katie Hope, Corporate Recruiter, Fax: 630.810.2408 or e-mail: careers@wilton.com .

 

Wilton is an Equal Opportunity Employer.