About Us

Smead x U Brands is a California based company obsessed with bringing design, innovation, and productivity together. We know that people don’t just work from the office anymore, sometimes it's the kitchen table or even that coffee shop with the really good lattes, and we need tools that will help keep us inspired anywhere our work takes us. We are driven to creating those tools, making useful products that are versatile and elegant.

• Job Type: Full-time / Exempt
• Schedule: Hybrid - 3 days in office (Tues-Thurs) and 2 days work from home (Mon & Fri)
• Compensation: $80,850 - $105,100 yearly

Position Summary

The Sr Product Manager is responsible for the full product life cycle within the assigned product category. Direct the development of new products, product improvements and changes to products to include design, production method, packaging, labeling and copywriting.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Drive the new product development process for assigned product categories as well as explore opportunities in new categories.
• Own and create the product roadmap for assigned categories, including prioritization based on business impact and growth potential.
• Research and analyze market conditions, competitors and consumer trends to evaluate feasibility of new products.
• Present product ideas to senior leadership for approval
• Determine product specifications outlining key requirements for the product.
• Manage the production development schedule working with suppliers to ensure production deadlines are met.
• Communicate status updates internally with appropriate groups (design, marketing, data management, etc) related to products.
• Coordinate with engineering, design, marketing, supply chain regarding all matters concerning product development, improvements or changes.
• Work collaboratively with internal groups to ensure the creation of new item set up numbers including costs, dimensions, packaging, UPC and other important components.
• Review and finalize details on product and approve samples for production.
• Identify potential suppliers and evaluate proposals/quotes for cost, price, delivery; negotiate with suppliers to ensure most cost effective options.
• Conduct and lead weekly product ideation meetings with designers to brainstorm new product ideas.
• Communicate and implement changes in product that effect production and distribution.
• Conduct ongoing profit/loss analysis on assigned products. Suggest and implement improvement strategies including pricing, packaging and product changes.
• Create copy for packaging, collateral and log copy website.
• Work with marketing and design teams on marketing campaigns including securing samples for photography and other marketing initiatives.
• Review product line for products that are obsolete or no longer in demand creating a plan to sunset products.
• Recruit, manage and develop direct reports.

Education/Experience

• 4-year degree required.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in product or project management
• Customer goods product development experience a plus
• Previous experience supervising or managing staff preferred.
• Strong MS Office skills
• Excellent written communication and copywriting skills
• Strong presentation and influencing skills to gain support for product development ideas from senior level management.
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Addition to detail
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to manage projects across multiple teams and functions.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills.

Competencies

• Marketing skills: Product managers should be able to oversee the marketing side of product development which includes product promotion, market research, creativity and more.
• Analytical skills: In order to effectively analyze data, product managers need to have strong analytical skills to use market data for the benefit of their product in regard to strategy, development and pricing.
• Time management skills: Product managers should have strong time management skills in order to meet product timelines.
• Problem-solving skills: If issues arise during the product development process, it’s important to have strong problem-solving skills to reach a solution with ease.
• Interpersonal skills: As a product manager, it’s important to be able to effectively communicate and influence several people.
• Technical skills: Product managers need to have strong technical skills to analyze data and manage the budget.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.