Associate Product Manager

Description

Summary

Located in Milwaukee, WI Wagner manufactures and distributes metal handrail components and fabricates architectural railings. Wagner is known for our code compliance expertise and dedication to quality.  

As a part of our Marketing Department and reporting to the Catalog BU Manager, the Associate Product Manager will be responsible for managing Wagner’s component product offering and will focus on sales and profit margins of specified product lines. The position will be responsible for the overall management of product lines, including coordination of design development, marketing strategy, pricing, and inventory. The Associate Product Manager will provide analytical support needed to deliver Wagner’s pricing strategy and promotional initiatives. The role will use data analytics to review product offerings, manage inventory, assist with forecasting, manage product lifecycle, find cost-down opportunities, and determine pricing expectations.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Responsibilities

These are the core owned areas of focus for the position.

1. Product Lifecycle Management – determine incremental opportunities, potential rationalizations, and the overall short- and long-term viability for owned product lines.
2. New Product Development – Drive new product development process through ideation, viability, development, and launch coordinating with engineering and marketing.  
3. New Product Launches – organize and communicate an annually deliverable project list and lead the cross-functional teams that develop, market, and sell new products. 
4. Deliver NPD Revenue – provide input for and deliver the annually forecasted NPD revenue target of the BU.
5. Data Reporting and Analysis – compile routine product, pricing, and sales reports, utilize our internal data visualization software, and support the ad hoc reporting needs of the Organization.
6. Provide input for updates and support the initiatives in the Catalog BU marketing plan.
7. Establish and/or maintain strategic supplier relationships to rationalize and consolidate product sources and leverage supplier assets.  
8. Assist with data cleanse activities and ensure accuracy and consistency of data architecture going forward.  
9. Assist with the organization and planning of tradeshows and support in-person when necessary.

Essential Duties

This list of functions and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

1. Recommend price adjustments based on changing costs and/or margin enhancement opportunities.  
2. Gather customer and industry data to determine and track our market position and share. 
3. Assess the competition by comparing business models, value props, and product offerings.
4. Through the VOC, gain a deep understanding of the customer’s experience within owned product lines.
5. Monitor raw material costs, trends, and fluctuations.
6. Prepare short- & long-term product sales and volume forecasts.
7. Recommend inventory adjustments that maintain acceptable product service levels.
8. Coordinate with digital marketing to implement and track promotional activities.
9. Support marketing content needs for customer communications, trade shows, catalog, ecommerce site, and social media. 
10. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
11. Conducts periodic pricing audits and customer analysis to ensure profitability. 
12. Maintain a continuous stream of competitive pricing intelligence.  
13. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in: business, marketing, data analytics
2. Major in/similar to: economics, marketing, mathematics, data science, engineering
3. Work experience in product management. 2-5 years of experience required   
4. Sales reporting and forecasting experience.  
5. Proficient in Microsoft Office, and highly proficient in Excel.
6. ERP experience required.
7. Manufacturing experience preferred.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to execute a product line review and communicate outputs and recommendations.
2. Strong analytical skillset and a proactive approach to problem-solving. 
3. A mechanical and technical aptitude. 
4. Understand manufacturing BOMs and routings.
5. Ability to communicate effectively: excellent written and oral communication skills.
6. Ability to work independently and prioritize work to meet objectives and deadlines. 

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined below are essential for successful job performance. While fulfilling job duties, employees frequently need to be on-site to manage projects. Additionally, employees must regularly engage in activities such as sitting, standing, walking, speaking, and listening. Occasionally, employees may need to bend, stoop, balance, and move within the facility. Specific vision abilities necessary for this role include close vision, distant vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Furthermore, employees may occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds.