What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design and Product Development Manager position at Alaska Gear Company?
At Alaska Gear Company, we work hard to play hard. Alaska Gear Company believes that time spent outdoors matters more than ever and our outdoor gear can make that time extraordinary. When you work here, you’ll have the opportunity to create exceptional, meaningful work.
Our mission is together, we build a worldwide Alaska-based outdoor equipment company. We’re a growing team of casual people who love aviation, outdoor activities, and mostly Alaska. We strive to provide strong and safe products to bush pilots and outdoor enthusiasts who are pursuing adventure in the backcountry. Whether a bush pilot, hunter, researcher, or guide, we deliver solutions to ensure our customers have all the essentials to endure their outdoor adventure beyond roads and runways.
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Design and Product Development Manager to inspire and lead our team of Designer/Developers in creating innovative, high-performance products. In this role, you will oversee the entire product lifecycle—from concept to pre-production — while pushing the envelope of what is possible for the best product performance and user experience.
Job Duties
- Candidates will be managing the product life cycle; researching, designing, development and execution
- Maintain constant pulse on market landscape including consumer needs, competition and brand position
- Collects ideas, feedback and consumer insights to help inform existing and future products
- Competent in financials and develops recommendations for pricing based off product contribution and targets, product forecast and how those contribute to the product line
- Collaborate with the Sourcing team to manage the full development process, ensuring timelines, quality, target costs, and delivery goals are consistently achieved
- Be the expert in the product line, which may include training staff, presenting to vendors, or assisting customers
- Accountable for the success of the assigned product line(s)
- Work closely with Sales and Marketing to align products with customer needs while maintaining Alaska gear Company’s brand identity
- Anticipate leadership needs by delivering actionable solutions, strategic insights, and recommendations to ensure the successful execution of product and production plans
Candidates must be flexible, enjoy collaboration, be well organized, self-directed, and have the ability to multitask with attention to detail. Candidates must have strong communication skills and the ability to develop strong and collaborative working relationships. Willingness to take ownership and work independently under tight deadlines is a must.
What will make you successful
- Bachelor’s degree in product design, related field, or equivalent
- 24 years work experience in a product management role (may consider education equivalent if specialized in Outdoor Product Design and Development)
- Ability to collaborate cross functionally
- Excellent analytical and problemsolving skills
- Business acumen
- Strong personal organizational and time management skills with very high attention to detail
- Ability to produce timely deliverables and manage multiple and shifting priorities in a fastpaced environment
- Jack of all trades willing and able to do whatever it takes to make your product and crossfunctional team successful, whether that means writing a QA plan or hunting down the root cause of a user’s frustration
- Experience in outdoor equipment industry highly preferred
Compensation & Benefits
- Salaried; Rate of pay is DOE
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday pay
- Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
- Supplemental Plans
- 401(k)
- Great Employee Discounts
- Free Employee Product Rentals
- Casual Work Environment
About Alaska Gear Company
At Alaska Gear Company, we work hard to play hard! Building high quality aviation products and outdoor gear for adventure beyond roads and runways! Our mission is together, we build a worldwide Alaska-based outdoor equipment company. We’re a growing team of casual people who love aviation, outdoor activities and mostly Alaska! We strive to provide strong and safe products to bush pilots and outdoor enthusiasts who are pursuing adventure in the backcountry. Whether a bush pilot, hunter, researcher, or guide, we deliver solutions to ensure our customers have all the essentials to endure their outdoor adventure. With locations in Palmer, Fairbanks, and Anchorage Alaska we continue to grow and are looking for qualified, hard working individuals to come be part of out team!
