Associate Product Manager

Position Summary:

Support Product Manager (PM) in all aspects of product development process including, but not limited to, new product design, sourcing, managing, negotiating, assorting and editing product categories in order to maximize assigned categories and company sales growth and profitability. Manage a portion of the product categories as assigned by the PM in order to develop the skills necessary to maximize the company sales growth and profitability.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: (Additional duties may be assigned)

* Assist PM to research unique opportunities, and develop, new products in assigned categories that support our brand direction. Make sure all new development supports our brand direction of fun, quirky, artisanal, positive, colorful and authentic products that convey our point of view on "The Home."

* Maintain knowledge of the home furnishings market and associated fashion trends through research and competitive shopping to ensure we are developing unique products that will thrive in a competitive landscape. Attend trade shows as appropriate to develop marketplace knowledge and perspective to help drive category growth.

* Identify trends in categories, styles and silhouettes. Lead development of unique offerings with direction and approval of Creative Director and VP of Product Development.

* Manage assignments given by the Creative Director for development of new product concepts.

* In collaboration with PM, develop collections with assigned themes within a range of product value for each collection.

Business Management

* Manage the life cycle of all products in assigned categories which includes strategic planning of the product assortment, vendor selection, communication with the vendor, sampling, sales collateral and packaging inclusion if appropriate, negotiations of tooling and finished costs, pricing, timely delivery, and getting products to market in an organized and timely manner.

* Manage manufacturers and agents as assigned to include new development, timely manufacture and shipment, quality assurance and testing protocols.

* Negotiate and analyze costs and propose retail prices that meet or exceed margin expectations.

* Coordinate with the Quality Control team and subsequently work with PM's and vendors to identify issues with incoming products and rectify the issue based on results of our product and packaging testing protocol

* Lead constructive discussions with executive team in respective categories during the semi-annual new product meetings and style-outs.

* Handle all sample inventory movement including location creation, receipt, transfer and proper disposition

* In conjunction with PM, promote growth in categories through planning and product development strategies to meet or exceed established goals

* Protect the quality and integrity of products by frequent communication with manufacturing resources through production phases. This can be accomplished by checking in with suppliers on a routine 90-, 60-, 30-day calendar.

* Assist PM in creating all new product packets and BOMs.

* Manage new product lists with product planning through weekly updates.

* Review invoices for accuracy prior to payment approval.

* Communicate all delay and production issues with management. Manage these to a minimum.

* Update all manufacturing sources with any/all changes to products.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Education and Experience:

Requires a BA, BS Degree (or equivalent experience) and proven Microsoft Office 365 skills - especially Excel and PowerPoint with the ability to build Excel models given a general or specific objective. Minimum of 3-5 working experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Requires strong organizational skills, attention to details and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Desired Skills:

* Excellent work ethic and ability to work in fast-paced environment.

* Appreciation and respect for cultural and language diversity.

* Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

* Professional presence and articulate presentation.

* Open-minded and inquisitive to learn new things.

* Familiarity and adeptness with modern office technology.

* Analytical thought process and problem-solving skills.

Location: Aurora, NY

Travel: 10%

Equipment Used:

Computer, printer, scanner, telephone and photocopier

Computer Software: Outlook, Word Excel and PowerPoint

Physical and Mental Requirements:

* Ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, reach, push, pull, crouch, kneel, bend, climb, use fingers to grasp, handle, feel, and perform repetitive motions of hands or wrists.

* Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

* Light mental and visual attention required for performing work where there is some variety, but actions taken and decisions made are limited to few possibilities. Work requires some coordination with others.

Environmental Conditions:

Work is performed in a typical office environment with occasional exposure to falling when climbing a ladder.

MacKenzie-Childs is an EEO Employer