Product Manager -Library

Follett Content Solutions has been a trusted partner for educators since 1873! We support our educators that touch more than 45 million students worldwide. Follett Content Solutions helps build a diverse collection of print and digital resources to support every student. We are currently hiring for a Product Manager -Library. This position is an exempt full-time position located in McHenry, IL. The pay range for this position is $105,000 - $115,000 annually. We offer a hybrid work schedule with 3 days in the office (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday) and 2 remote days (Wednesday & Friday). We will consider remote for the right candidate. We offer an array of benefits, to see those benefits click here

Any pay range disclosed is based upon a combination of neutral factors such as required qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications, seniority, etc. Follett Content Solutions reserves the right to provide any successful candidate a salary at the most appropriate level set as a result of such candidate’ qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority.

Position Overview:

Primary responsibility will include creating, managing, and executing the product roadmap for the library segment of Follett Content’s PK-12 business.

Champions the planning, development, and life cycle management of preK-12 library-related products and services consistent with the company’s goals and objectives. Responsible for growing market share of existing content and service offerings through both existing customer penetration and new customer creation. For new offerings, identifies, modifies, and drives onboarding milestones and holds partner teams accountable for execution. Coordinates product needs by conducting research (quantitative and qualitative) and soliciting feedback from existing and prospective customers, customer-facing team members, and leadership. Keeps a close pulse on industry and market trends to identify new potential business opportunities to explore further. Acts as the customer advocate articulating the buyer’s needs and expectations. Responsible for new vendor onboarding and ongoing relations on key product/service offerings. Establishes appropriate metrics and reporting needed to determine the success of each key product/service offering and communicates to partners and vendors following a regular cadence.

Gathers market and consumer intel, defines positioning and messaging, and works closely with team members in marketing, lead generation, content management, sales, operations, and more to ensure the organization is adequately supporting growth initiatives and product/service offerings, and communicating regularly both internally and externally. Works closely with team members in curations, marketing, sales training, and more to ensure adequate GTM coverage on any new or refreshed product/service offerings that have quota/sales targets identified.

Responsible for establishing and managing an expense budget. Possesses a strong understanding of product management, preK-12 education, and wholesale operations. Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced environment and be intellectually curious. Must possess a growth mindset and be an exceptional, persuasive communicator who interacts well with Follett Content team members at all levels and across functions and preK-12 educators and partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Champions the planning, development, and life cycle management of strategic products and services consistent with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Responsible for growing market share of existing content offerings. For new offerings, identifies, modifies, and drives onboarding milestones and holds partner teams accountable for execution.
• Coordinates product needs by conducting quantitative and qualitative research and soliciting feedback from existing and prospective customers, customer-facing team members, and leadership.
• Keeps a close pulse on industry and market trends to identify new potential business opportunities to explore further.
• Owns initial viability evaluation and soliciting feedback from key stakeholders to support full product/service evaluation.
• Creates standardized approach for sharing go/no-go product/service recommendation to senior leadership.
• Creates and socialize product/service evaluation rubric to ensure existing products/services meet guidelines and any new offerings pass the test.
• Plays a key role in identifying operational hurdles and brings an appropriate team together to discuss and rectify issues.
• Acts as the customer advocate articulating the buyer’s needs and expectations.
• Responsible for new vendor onboarding and ongoing relations on key product/service offerings.
• Establishes appropriate metrics and reporting needed to determine the success of each key product/service offering and communicates to partners and vendors following a regular cadence.
• Communicates pertinent product-/market-related information and ensures company is aware of key product goals and status and trained to market, sell, and support offerings.
• Member of pricing review committee to ensure we are maximizing profit while remaining competitive in the market; problem-solve and rectify any pricing inconsistencies or inaccuracies.
• Designs and leads internal and external advisory boards; builds relationships with key customers to validate or refine existing product/service offerings and identifies new potential opportunities based on need.
• Provides industry, market, and competitive intel to support company strategic planning efforts.
• Gathers market and customer intel, defines product positioning, and works closely with team members in marketing, lead generation, content management, sales, operations, and more to ensure the organization is adequately supporting growth initiatives and product/service offerings, and communicating regularly.
• Works closely with team members in curations, marketing, lead generation, sales training, and more to ensure adequate GTM coverage on any new or refreshed product/service offerings that have quota/sales targets identified.
• Aid in developing compelling product messaging to drive customer acquisition, as well as cross-sell opportunities; ensure messaging connects the customer need to our solution(s) in a concise and compelling manner.
• Collaborate closely with the marketing and lead generation teams to suggest and effectively market new products/services, enhancements, and cross-market, as appropriate.
• Identify new revenue generating programs for key content products.
• Collaborate extensively with sales leadership to ensure successful market penetration; execute established product plans and provide quarterly revenue/profit updates to key stakeholders.
• Work closely with marketing, lead generation, and sales training to create sales tools including presentations, demos, videos, etc. to aid in the selling process.
• Work closely with marketing to ensure appropriate channel coverage for all key product/service offerings.
• Regularly research and provide market and competitive intel on trends, needs, etc. For comparable products/services, lead effort to ensure our offering and GTM approach is above the competition.
• Lead efforts in driving demand for and adoption of new products/services.
• Research and stay up to date with emerging trends in product management.
• Consider additional certification in product management.
• Be the voice of knowledge when it comes to the role product management plays within the organization to ensure there is greater role clarity.
• Responsible for revenue growth YOY by enhancing existing products and/or services and onboarding new.

Requirements:

• Knowledge and experience in preK-12 education.
• Vendor/partner management experience.
• Experience with new product identification, onboarding, and ongoing maintenance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data and insights to develop actionable strategies and recommendations.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced environment and be intellectually curious.
• Strong project management skills with a history of successfully leading and delivering complex initiatives.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and manage ambiguity.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Deep understanding of market trends and product lifecycles.
• Sharp negotiation tactics.
• Market research and assessment experience.
• Experience with pricing and revenue modeling; keen understanding of business health financial metrics.
• Experience defining and tracking success metrics.
• Management/leadership experience.
• eCommerce experience is highly desired but not required.
• Industry-related certifications desired.
• Advanced Computer Skills
• 7-10 years of experience
• Bachelors' degree or equivalent
• May need to work evenings and/or weekends during peak times and to lead and/or participate in customer and vendor events.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation in the application process due to a disability, please contact us by email or phone.

• Email: Send request to fcshr@follettcontent.com
• Phone: Request assistance by calling 800.773.7010 x45130

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