Product Manager, Kennels/Crates in Arlington, Texas at Petmate

ABOUT PETMATE

Petmate is a global leader in pet supply products, with trusted brands including Petmate®, Chuckit!®, Quirky Kitty ®, Vittles Vault®, Wild Eats® and Arm & Hammer®. Over 60 years ago, Petmate began with a focus on safe pet transportation, leading to the creation of the first dog kennel. Today, Petmate develops products that improve quality of life and strengthen the bond between people and their pets. From environmentally responsible manufacturing to rigorous product testing, safety remains central to what we make and how we make it. Our portfolio of trusted brands features innovative solutions across several pet supplies categories including toys, feeding and watering, food storage, kennels, shelters, bedding, treats and more.

OUR WHY: To enrich families’ lives by cultivating the bond between people and their pets.

OUR VISION: Families everywhere trust us to enhance their pets’ well-being at every step of the adventure.

PETMATE CORE VALUES

OWN IT! We take responsibility for our actions, decisions, and outcomes.

STEADFAST DETERMINATION: We pursue what’s next with commitment and enthusiasm.

DO THE RIGHT THING: We align our actions with our values in every situation.

SAFETY WITHOUT COMPROMISE: We prioritize the safety of employees, consumers, and pets without compromise.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Product Manager is responsible for driving profitable, category growth and strategic direction for assigned product lines via excellent portfolio management and flawless execution of new product development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Using consumer & market insights, the Product Manager becomes the expert authority of the assigned product line. Be able to articulate who the target is, their pain points and unmet needs and develop strategies to solve those problems via new product development.
• Create and implement annual product line roadmap, vision, and growth strategy that supports the overall company vision.
• Deliver consistent, profitable growth by leading cross-functional teams in the development and execution of new products from ideation to commercialization
• Initiate necessary research to support new product development partnering with consumer insights to validate concepts, understand usability and assess willingness to pay.
• Create and manage lifecycle plans for all SKUs to optimize customer product placement, exposure, and category profitability.
• Establish MSRPs and list prices that optimize internal profitability while creating success in the marketplace.
• Manage product portfolio to ensure comprehensive breadth and depth of offering with logical trade up value proposition
• Participate in customer meetings when required and serve as the company's category expert providing insights required for future growth.
• Conduct competitive market research. Analyze the different products that customers carry and remain aware of competitor's products, pricing, and selling practices.
• Collaborate with sourcing and manufacturing partners to coordinate development and obtain specifications and costing for new items.
• Research new materials and processes for creating innovative products.
• Develop fact-based selling stories that include research, strategy, pricing, and timelines to support product launches.
• Prepare for and attend regular meetings with the commercial team.
• Understand the financial contribution of assigned product line. Manage the P&L and inventory turns.
• Review product line for profitability in sales and contribution margin that drive growth. Identify and drive cost down initiatives where applicable.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Experience:

• 4+ years of proven Product Management experience; Consumer Product Goods (CPG) industry, durables preferred.
• Strategic, critical and creative thinker with strong business acumen.
• Strong leader with excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with an above-average attention to details.
• Experience with gathering consumer insights and market data to assist in product modification or new product opportunities.
• Ability to multi-task and work within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Above average PowerPoint and Excel skills (ability to develop and manipulate spreadsheets).
• An interest in products that foster solutions to improve the world of pets for all families.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or other related field; MBA preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is based at our corporate office, which offers a professional, climate-controlled setting and fosters a collaborative and supportive atmosphere where teamwork and professional growth are highly valued. The office is also pet-friendly, and employees should be comfortable working around dogs and other pets in shared spaces. While the primary work location is the corporate office, the role may occasionally require visits to manufacturing and distribution sites. These environments can be loud, are not climate-controlled, and require strict adherence to safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as closed-toe shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protection as needed.

Petmate is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.