Associate Product Development Manager

Position Purpose:

The individual in this position is responsible for developing consumer relevant, high quality Lindt products for sustainable profitable growth, ensuring the consumer relevance and needs are met.  This entails providing consumer based solutions relative to products, pricing and packaging for the Retail division. 

 

Key Acccountabilities:

Marketing Strategy

·  In partnership with Product Development Manager and Director of Retail Merchandising, this individual is responsible for defining the strategy for Retail specific products within the Lindt portfolio.  Along with product design and development, this individual will make recommendations for pricing.

·  Partner with the Product Development Manager on providing strategic recommendations that include creative, and profitable product solutions for the Retail stores based on the consumer demand and need.

·  Responsible for managing a specific assigned portfolio to include SKU rationalization, mix strategies and profit optimization.

·  Monitor (SWOT) elements and respond to internal and competitive developments to ensure Retail success.

New Product Development

·  Assist in evaluating the Retail specific product portfolio and marketplace and work in partnership with the Product Development Manager to make recommendations for new product launches and product improvements to ensure Lindt & Sprüngli’s Retail Store sales growth, gross profit (GP) and brand equity in the marketplace.

-  Analyze market potentials on an ongoing basis for existing and new products and develop competitive concepts to ensure the long-term, profitable growth of Lindt (USA).

Brand LeadershipPartner with the Product Development Manager in the recommendations for Retail specific products with a primary focus on new incremental business opportunities.Responsible for designing and implementing consumer-centric product assortments for Retail.Partner with the Product Development Manager to execute consumer research platforms that help Lindt to understand Retail business opportunities in the short and long-term.

CommunicationMaintain a proactive approach to strategy execution and consistently communicate vertically and cross-functionally to ensure alignment of internal priorities and those necessary resources are allocated appropriately to achieve desired results.Work cross-functionally to understand the Retail-specific product development objectives; secure commitment to drive the business results.

Position Requirements

Skills & Knowledge

·  Demonstrate strong initiative and follow through; results driven

·  Employ strong negotiation and problem solving skills in order to achieve optimal results

·  Creative thinking and design; innovative thinking

·  Ability to prioritize and effectively manage results in an entrepreneurial work environment

·  Ability to think in terms of creating value for consumers, identify premium product solutions

·  Ability to grasp issues quickly and provide sound analysis to drive decision making

·  Proven written and verbal communication skills

·  Business analysis skills required

Experience

·  Minimum of five (3-5) years experience in a Marketing position, fast-moving consumer packaged goods environments are preferred

·  Prior Retail experience, required 

Education

·  BA or BS degree required

·  MBA preferred