Job Listings

[ON HOLD] March 20, 2022 – Schaffer Associates is recruiting for a Director of Product Management for a national manufacturer of fastener drive tools. This position will be responsible for all product management of the current product portfolio, expansion of the portfolio into complementary product lines and SKUs, competitive analysis and recommending pricing relative to competition.  Also, develop sales support material, promotions, and communications to advance the company’s sales, growth, and profitability objectives.  This includes, but is not limited to, a full range of marketing activities to include product information, product line maintenance, customer presentations, product representations at trade shows, trade promotions and supporting material, strategic trade advertising opportunities, website product maintenance, and catalog updates.  This position reports to the President and will be considered the strategic leader for marketing and product management related activities for the business.  This is an opportunity for a motivated person to build the product management function from the ground up as well as a team to support it.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & TASKS:

• Develop and implement an effective strategic product plan designed to be a road map and guideline for product maintenance and expansion, to be updated every 2 years.
• Incorporate this plan into quarterly programs, product introductions, and promotions, and lead in the execution of these plans.
• Play a direct role with evaluating, recommending, pricing, and introducing new product lines via the Company’s sales team or via e-commerce
• Develop e-commerce expansion strategy including new product categories, channel partners, and content strategy.
• Partner with digital marketing manager on content creation, social media strategy, and digital marketing
• Coordinate existing product line maintenance activities with the Company’s strategic manufacturing source in Taiwan
• Manage new product line launches to ensure placement with customers and acceptance by end users
• Manage catalog, product literature, and sales aids information for content and accuracy
• Develop and maintain product knowledge e-newsletters directed to all sales reps
• Evaluate market trends on an ongoing basis to identify opportunities for new product development and product line extensions to meet and exceed competitive offerings or customer demand
• Train, inform and update the Company sales team on Company product features and benefits vs. competition
• Provide analyses that will drive decision making for upper management relative to changing competitive, customer, or regional dynamics
• Represent the company at major trade shows and conferences throughout the year
• Be capable of advancing to an expanded role in the company within 3 to 4 years
• Work closely with the Director of Sourcing in identifying and qualifying new products and new product lines and travel to Asia when necessary to meet with suppliers’ engineering and QC managers to develop and finalize product specifications and other parameters (packaging, cosmetics, etc.)

SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Organized, strategic thinker with strong work ethic and professional demeanor.
• High sense of urgency, energy, and enthusiasm balanced with a disciplined approach to decision making.
• Proven capabilities in both product management and product development, along with the tactical maintenance or introduction of products sold through industrial or construction supply distribution
• Experience and understanding of e-commerce platforms and marketplaces
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, at all levels within the organization, to field sales, and to customers. Ability to sell an idea or concept to supervisors, peers, and customers.
• Solid problem-solving skills and negotiating ability.
• Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects; willingness to accept accountability.
• Competent in achieving defined goals in a smaller company environment with limited resources.
• Ability to travel domestically, and internationally after the first 6 months, a minimum of 20%.
• Must reside in Southern California

 EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field of study required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product marketing with power tools accessories with a major brand name with a consumer or industrial products business.
• Demonstrates the desire and potential to assume increasing responsibilities in the company in the next 5 years.
• Experience in hand tool, power tool, fastener, or related hardware categories strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with an Asian-based product supply would be a distinct advantage.
• Must have expertise and proficiency with basic office computer software, e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

BENEFITS:

• Compensation package includes full vacation pay, medical (80% company paid for employee, family members are at the employee’s expense), and 401K plan

This job posting is for information purposes only. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Schaffer Associates is a national management consulting firm specializing in executive search and organizational strategies for the hardware, home improvement, building materials, and consumer products industries. As the premier management consulting firm serving the industry, we help build organizations and leadership teams that foster corporate growth and success well into the future.

Call us at (704) 535-9939 or find us at www.SchafferAssociates.com