Position Objective:

The Associate Product Manager I will work with and support the Product Manager and Product Director in the delivery of their objectives. Specifically responsible for execution of more tactical product line management responsibilities, including SKU management and rationalization, category, model, and SKU level forecast monitoring, market mapping and competitive product comparisons, and coordination of product and competitive product testing, In addition, assist managing sustaining project management with other disciplines to deliver product Quality activities and Sales activities.

Responsibilities:

25%                       1.  Using the new Product Creation Process, assist the Product Manager (PM) and/or Director (PD) in driving new product research and development, standard and derivative product teams during feasibility stage, managing expectations relative to product features/benefits, project timing, and cost/other financial targets.

25%                       2.  Working closely with PM and/or PD, ensure the development of an ongoing market intelligence program to track and measure competitive placements, customer needs/requirements, and customer satisfaction with the current product portfolio.  Assist in the development of Market Maps for the assigned product categories on a regular basis to ensure all are up to date on the current state of the market and competitive offerings.  Develop and maintain database of competitive product information for the assigned product category.

15%                       3.  Evaluate product performance relative to return rates, customer service feedback, and competitive placements and comparisons, to drive product strategy and development initiatives and ideas.  Assist the PM and/or PD in implementation of consequent plans.

10%                       4.  Coordinate projects with multiple technical components for the production of new and existing products within budget, specification and on time.  Schedule task deadlines for Engineering, Purchasing, and Production departments to ensure projects are completed on time.  Core team member on new product development teams.

10%                       5.  Work closely with Marketing Communications to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of product launch materials, including advertising, POP, brochures, merchandisers, other sales literature, and training materials.

10%                       6. Assist in developing recommendations for dealing with recurring or intermittent product management issues.  Manage product field testing, reporting, and dissemination

5%                        7. Provide training to employees and ensure optimal product knowledge to effective market it against competition.