Consumer Product Manager

Position SummaryThe Consumer Product Manager position requires strategic, long term and creative thinking and is responsible for the ongoing management and execution of the assigned business categories to ensure delivery of profitable performance goals for both Gartner Studios and our customers. The product management function leads in all product and program development from concept to in-store execution. This includes workflow management of sales presentation needs, mock-up requests, design team management and art production. Profitability and accuracy of programs is the responsibility of the product manager, working with sourcing, supply chain and sales counterparts. Position Responsibilities * Establish, prepare and present to Product Development Director and Management Team annual Product Development strategy * Assess and modify annual Product Development strategy, presenting meaningful changes to Product Development Director and Management Team * Frequent R&D, both instore and online * Consolidating and reporting R&D * Expertise in market trends and insight * Understanding of product offering, retails and competitive landscape for all key accounts/customers * Overall product direction, with the application of marketplace/trends, characteristics, vision and planning for product lines both internal and external * Independently manage product program(s) from start to finish * Creation, P&L analysis and presenting to senior management line lists for approval * Adhering to company margin expectations * Negotiate pricing to meet P&L requirements * Comprehensive understanding and use of the Gartner’s E2E system for all product management needs * Maintain product and program information updates within E2E on an ongoing basis * Communicating customer wholesale cost and additional program details to Sales Manager * Leading and or collaborating on all sales forward documents, samples and presentation deliverables * Developing new product specifications * Collaborating with Sales Managers and Design Team to create new or refreshed products and programs within necessary timelines * Initiate and collaborate on RFQ’s for initial pricing and finalizing spec sheets for production * Collaborating with Project Manager, Sourcing / Merchandisers and Business Analysts to achieve margin goals, product quality and to meet production timelines. * Manage internal and external timelines * Reviewing and applying sell through reports and consumer key performance indicators all product development initiatives * Collaborating with Business Analysts on forecasting and review of inventory turns * Collaborating with Business Analysts and Sales Managers to sell off all excess inventory on past programs * Researching, collecting and leading all product kick off meetings with Creative Director and Design Team * Completing and presenting “Gartner Opportunity Scope” document, along with all respective and accompanied documents, for all product kick off meetings with Creative Director and Design Team * Collaborating with team members on testing requirements and troubleshooting issues with failure reports * Collaborating with Overseas Merchandisers and additional team members to ensure timelines are being met and communication is clear on the expectations * Communicate necessary action items to ensure all products are represented on Gartner websites. This may include but not limited to, photoshoots, all key data points for upload, SRP recommendation, product detail for marketing purposes * Manage product development and design reviews * Traveling to and presenting as deemed necessary by Product Development Director, Director of Sales and or Sales Manager for relevant customer/account meetings * Traveling, working and participating in industry trade shows or key events * Collaboration with vendors on real-time product development, relationship building, costing and specification negotiations * Traveling to vendors, both USA and overseas as needed and approved by Product Development Director or Executive Management Company Expectations * Consistent emphasis on collaboration with a cross-functional team members * Mitigating conflict with urgency, addressing concerns with subordinates, peers and management independently and professionally * Consistently and respectfully on time for all meetings * Professional present in all meetings, focused (not on computer with other work, cell phones) * Vigorously respect time management, for yourself and all team members * Established and clearly articulated point of view (POV) * Troubleshooting, solution identifier * Preparedness for all inward and outward facing meetings and presentations * Model behavior: exceptional attitude, act with urgency, clear expectations & communication * Consistently and accurately follow all process procedures, tools and system requirements as instructed by manager Job SpecificationsMinimum Education:· Bachelor’s Degree required Minimum Experience:· 4+ years of product development / product marketing experience· Printing industry experience and knowledge of design process required· Knowledge of design process required· Pricing and promotional familiarity· Effective time management, scheduling, and organization skills· Familiarity with distributors and/or dealers necessary· Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously· Proactive thinker and problem solver· Creative and innovative thinking in designing product through life cycle Computer Skills Must Include: * Microsoft Office Suite * Power Point proficiency * Advanced Excel skills necessary