Lead Product Specialist

Lead Product Specialist

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead project management efforts for new product development, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, customer demands and timely execution.
• Lead cross-channel communication and meetings with external vendors and internal teams, ensuring all stakeholders are informed of project status, timelines, and deliverables.
• Oversee and manage project management software to track progress, milestones, and deadlines, ensuring the most up-to-date information is clearly communicated to internal stakeholders.
• Lead regular project meetings and facilitate clear communication between departments.
• Review and update project calendars to ensure accurate tracking of tasks and ensure deadlines are being met.
• Review information accuracy and completeness of internal documents to ensure proper documentation and organization of key compliance and marketing claims.
• Provide leadership in managing team assignments and workloads, ensuring efficient use of resources and effective prioritization.
• Work with sales to complete new product setups in customer-specific portals with attention to information accuracy and completeness.
• Present timing and cost sensitive project updates to Sr. Director of Product Development and other leadership roles as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

Development:

• Oversee the quoting and cost assessment process for new products, working closely with purchasing and vendors to document and evaluate costs for raw materials and finished goods.
• Lead the creation, organization, and accuracy of costing sheets based on material and manufacturing costs to inform pricing strategies for new products.
• Support purchasing and planning in negotiating with vendors on defective costing, quality, or timing challenges to find urgent solutions.

• Work closely with research & development and product design teams to develop new product strategies, leveraging market research and sales analysis through use of both internal and external resources.
• Work closely with quality, research & development, creative services, and legal to develop products and packaging that meet the brand’s objectives and compliance standards.
• Work with Purchasing Manager to evaluate vendor performance.
• Work with purchasing to develop strategic (high-spend / high-dependency) vendor relationships and identify exit or transition strategies for supplier contingency plans.
• Manage Senior Product Specialists and Product Specialists, ensuring that all team members have clear objectives, timelines, and support to succeed in their roles.
• Communicate project scope and prioritization among team members while pushing forward high value project needs among internal departments and vendors.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

Management:

• Provide mentorship and development to product specialists, supporting their growth within the company and ensuring they are trained in best practices for product development and project management.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the team, identifying opportunities for process optimization, and encouraging team members to offer solutions.

Key Skills:

• Leadership & Team Management
• Product Development & Project Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Vendor & Supplier Relations
• Costing & Budget Management
• Organizational & Time Management
• Communication & Reporting

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required (preferably in Business, Product Development, Marketing, or related field)
• Experience: 4-6 years of experience in product development or a related field, with at least 2 years of management experience
• Demonstrated proficiency in using Microsoft Office
• Proficiency in using project management software (e.g., Trello, Asana, Monday.com) Project management certification a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially in cross-cultural environments with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying English proficiency levels. Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Strong research skills, including internet research and phone-based outreach.
• Basic olfactory evaluation skills and the ability to assess and evaluate sensory product attributes.
• Experience and understanding of materials (glass, ceramic, wood, metals, paper, etc.) and their production processes.
• Highly detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly and efficiently to changing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage, mentor, and guide a team while fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Professional, career-oriented, and self-motivated; willing to take the initiative and push for excellence.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, under tight deadlines, and in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel as needed for meetings, supplier visits, and industry events, representing the company with professionalism and enthusiasm.
• Must have a reliable mode of transportation.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs when necessary.

***This position is a Hybrid, office hourly (LG 8 $22.03 - $25.33 per hour) reporting to Tori Bowers***

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)