Product Manager

PRODUCT MANAGER

Department: Merchandising – The Children’s Group  Job Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt Reports To: Vice President of Merchandising
Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: 
 50% +/- (Domestic/Intl)

Work Schedule:  Positions Supervised:
Monday through FridayProduct Assistant
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with  Merchandising/Brand Assistant
additional hours as required

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for the business management of a category/categories within a Brand(s) including ownership of gross margin, sales, profitability, vendor management, and sourcing.  Maximize the development of the brand, sales, and profits or concepts for the department.  Manage information across functions working closely with Creative, PSQC, Inventory Control, and Sourcing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSSource and select products within designated categories that fit Brand merchandising strategy.Apply professional knowledge of merchandising principles in order to meet sales, gross margin, and contribution objectives.Develop new and exclusive products, some of which may be privately labeled.Communicate and develop partnerships with all vendors.Keep abreast of current industry and design trends.Sample, test and evaluate prospective new products to ensure compliance with all applicable standards.Negotiate and confirm pricing, packaging, delivery, terms and advertising with catalog vendors.Assist in maintaining product database.Monitor and evaluate vendor performance and determine key strategic partnerships.Analyze product performance.Assist with catalog design, layout, photography, and copywriting.Participate in weekly merchandise meetings with all departments.Interface with PSQC on routine basis to improve quality and testing conformity. Check all initial shipments of new products with QA to established baseline of acceptance.Project sales by item.  Assist Inventory Control with recommendations for initial buys and reorder quantities and reducing overstocks.Monitor back order report and assist Inventory Control in resolving any related issues.Participate in the development of the annual trade show schedule and work within budget.Attend trade shows according to product line responsibility.Support corporate business plan.Responsible for the management and development of support staff.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS


Competency Statement(s)
Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.Negotiating - Proven record of win-win negotiations.Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.Team Player - Ability to work within a team of performers each skilled in her/her own specialty.

Education
 Bachelor's Degree (four year college or university)

Experience
 Three to seven years related experience in merchandising/purchasing. Toy experience is highly preferred.


SKILLS & ABILITIES
Computer Skills
Required:  Excel, Word, Publisher, Outlook.
Preferred:  Access.
Understanding of POS systems (i.e. MOSIS)

Other Requirements
Valid/current U.S. Passport.
Understanding of market conditions as it relates to merchandising.
Previous experience in new product design and development preferred.


WORK ENVIRONMENT

Generally an office work environment.  Travel requirement includes up to approximately 18 hours on an airplane. Visits factories in third world countries.
 
TO APPLY
Send resume and cover letter with salary expectation to Caitlin O’Rourke, Human Resources Manager, at corourke@plowandhearth.com .

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.