What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Category Manager position at Kids2?
SUMMARY
The Category & Product Manager will be responsible for strategic product planning, cross-functional product development awareness, day-to-day business management & keeping the organization informed of updates to product and business strategy.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Drive category growth in terms of revenue, market share, and global expansion. Develop 3-5 year product strategy.
- Curate line plan driven by consumer, market and retailer insights capitalizing on specific needs and white space opportunities
- Lead kick offs with design team to present product needs and design recommendations based on detailed analysis of past performance, Kids II business objectives, and evaluation of market trends and opportunities
- Develop Channel Strategy within the line plan that aligns with retailer and Kids II business needs
- Ensure products align with brand and marketing experience
- Lead creation of sell in strategy including product reason for being, merchandising recommendations, competitive advantages, market point of view and differentiation
- Present new products to key retailers and support Sales in preparation of pitch decks, product overviews and sell sheets outlining the unique selling proposition
- Monitor financial performance for assigned category including revenue tracking, margin and profitability review, and ROS analysis
- Lead market and competitive research analysis and provide updates to design and cross functional teams as necessary
- Work with design, engineering and procurement teams in achieving margin goals, FOB (cost), and quarterly launch calendar
- Establish MSRP pricing, evaluate margins and adjust product / packaging / pricing as needed to achieve target financials
- Seek cost reduction opportunities to increase margin; work with engineering, design and supply chain to implement changes
- Collaborate on packaging strategy including copy, graphics, content, and hierarchy of call outs; Create packaging brief to guide packaging team on desired design
- Collaborate on design brief to initiate marketing, fashion, video, photography, or other creative functions on project requests to bring the story to life
- Host cross functional meetings to align on strategy, present new product opportunities, product updates and merchandising plans by retailer, brand and launch quarter
- Initiate requests for research and collaborate on research plan and execution of insights
- Lead cross functional product development team to successfully commercialize products and meet financial goals
- Online product reviews – identify items to feature in seeded reviews and influencer outreach and develop action plans for low rated items
- Perform analysis for SKU rationalization and productivity at the item level and make a recommendation on go-forward plan
- Participate in S&OP process to ensure smooth product transitions, minimize inventory exposure and ensure high order fill rates.
- Sales call, trade show and global showroom support
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Must have 5 years of experience in Category Line and Business Management.
- Must have general knowledge of manufacturing materials, product development processes and costs.
- Familiarity with the online and brick & mortar retail landscape is strongly preferred.
- Must have prior experience managing the product P&L.
EDUCATION & SKILLS
- Bachelor’s degree in business management, finance or other related field or equivalent work experience is required.
- Ability to execute and excel in high-paced organization
- Ability to deal with changing environments, tight timelines and multiple priorities
- Outstanding oral and presentation-based communication skills
COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Must be proficient in PowerPoint, Excel and Word
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The team member frequently is required to sit; have flexible use of hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- The team member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell. T
- The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 - 50 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- In office Monday - Thursday and half day on Friday.
