Responsible for leading cross-functional teams to plan, develop, execute, and launch new and existing products for assigned product lines. Responsibilities include creating and executing product plans, product launch materials, project timelines and communicating critical milestones to all necessary departments.

Essential Duties

1. Lead and project manage Placon product development projects for assigned product lines:
   1. Develop comprehensive marketing communication strategy and new product launch plans with fully integrated go-to-market tactics, including product messaging, sales training, sales tools, and sample kits.

1. 1. Develop and manage project timelines, budget, and communicate project status to team and marketing leadership.
   2. Lead cross functional teams to drive project objectives and deliverables.
   3. Develop, manage, and forecast all capital expense requests (CERs) for new product launches.

1. Provide product information and support for marketing campaigns, PR, product catalogs, website content and tradeshows.

1. Work with pricing to ensure a consistent pricing strategy that delivers profitable growth while achieving business gross margin targets for assigned product lines.
2. Interface with sales, brokers, and customers to understand their requirements for product development.
3. Develop and execute product line strategies and roadmaps consistent with company vision and product positioning that differentiates Placon products in the market.
4. Manage the life cycle of products including forecasting of new product launches and SKU rationalization.
5. Control product costs used in estimating through development to final new product production.
6. Serve as a thought leader to develop and create content for award submissions, case studies, blog posts and social media.
7. Research and understand market trends and key issues facing the company and the industry as it relates to product development. Present findings on customer, prospect, competitor, industry, and packaging trends to management team.
8. Maintain professional and technical industry knowledge by reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; and participating in professional associations.
9. Act as brand advocate and ensure consistent and appropriate use of Placon brand by internal & external users.
10. Develop PowerPoint templates for use in customer presentations that reflect Placon branding.
11. Work with Design Engineer to understand and make recommendations for protecting intellectual property.
12. Comply with established quality and safety systems policies, work instructions and procedures.
13. Additional projects and duties assigned by manager.

Minimum Qualifications

A 4-year college degree in marketing, business, or a related field of study

A minimum of 3 -5 years' experience in marketing as product manager in the plastics, packaging, or foodservice industry with a busines to business company.

Desired Skills

Experienced in the product development process and stage gates

Ability to work independently, proactively and multitask

Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams

Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels of the organization

Position Requirements

Proficient with MS Excel, Word, PPT and Outlook required

Ability to analyze financial and sales data, profit and losses, and margins

Ability to interact with customers and vendors

Pivot naturally and quickly based on business and customer needs

Knowledge of Thermoforming process

Work Environment Conditions:

Inside (office) - normal office environment

­­­­Inside (other) - Manufacturing - will require occasional interaction with product design, tool design, sample lab and aspects of production.

Equipment/Tools Used: (office equipment, machinery, tools, software, etc.)

Computer, fax, phone, copy machine, MS Office, Oracle, Salesforce.com, Trello, Wordpress

Physical Requirements:

­­­­ Normal Office

Mental Requirements:

Reading, Writing, Calculating

Interpersonal Skills

Reasoning/Analysis

Travel Frequency (in addition to seminars or related training):

Approximately 10-15%