Product Strategy Manager in at Seventh Wave Refreshments

The Product Strategy Manager is responsible for managing the lifecycle, performance, and profitability of Seventh Wave's product portfolio. This role uses sales data, consumer behavior, customer preferences, vendor insights, and industry trends to ensure we are carrying the right products, introducing exciting new offerings, and removing products that are no longer performing. This position serves as a key connection between Procurement, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and our vendor and broker partners. The Product Strategy Manager will own product strategy from evaluation and introduction through pricing, performance management, refreshes, and discontinuation.

Primary Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Performance

• Own and evaluate Seventh Wave’s product catalog using sales performance, consumer behavior, customer demand, margins, and industry trends.
• Identify products to maintain, replace, discontinue, or further develop based on established performance expectations.
• Recommend new products and maintain a balanced assortment of proven core sellers and innovative offerings.
• Develop and review product performance reporting to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

New Products, Refreshes & Promotions

• Lead the evaluation and launch of new products, including coordinating samples, tastings, feedback, pricing, and recommendations.
• Develop and manage regular product refreshes, including Micromarket rotations, Pantry refreshes, Snack of the Month, and seasonal offerings.
• Partner with Marketing and internal teams to coordinate product launches, signage, promotional materials, and communications.
• Measure the performance of new products, refreshes, and promotions to improve future product decisions.

Vendor & Broker Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, brokers, manufacturers, and other product partners.
• Meet regularly with partners to review new products, pricing, performance, and opportunities.
• Evaluate sourcing options and negotiate pricing, promotions, incentives, product support, and other opportunities that create value for Seventh Wave.
• Address product quality concerns, credits, recurring issues, and other vendor-related needs.
• Advocate for Seventh Wave while developing collaborative, long-term vendor partnerships.

Pricing, Cost & Rebates

• Evaluate product costs, vendor pricing, margins, and market considerations to support competitive purchasing and appropriate customer pricing.
• Manage product pricing updates, including vendor price increases and Crafty pricing.
• Identify opportunities to improve product profitability while maintaining customer value and demand.
• Manage supplier rebate programs, including quarterly submissions, qualification requirements, progress tracking, and opportunities to maximize earnings.

Cross-Functional & Operational Support

• Communicate product additions, discontinuations, pricing changes, refreshes, shortages, and other key updates across Procurement, Sales, Operations, Marketing, Warehouse, and leadership.
• Maintain accurate product information and support receiving and inventory accuracy as needed.
• Support Procurement and Warehouse projects and identify opportunities to improve product, purchasing, receiving, and inventory processes.
• Provide additional operational support as needed while the product strategy responsibilities of the role continue to grow.

Industry Engagement

• Attend trade shows, vendor events, and educational opportunities to discover new products, strengthen relationships, negotiate opportunities, and stay current on industry trends.
• Stay informed about consumer preferences, emerging product categories, and workplace refreshment trends and bring relevant ideas and opportunities back to Seventh Wave.
• Travel up to 10% annually for trade shows, vendor meetings, and other business needs.

• High school diploma or GED required. College education or degree is preferred.
• 2-4 years of experience in procurement, merchandising, supply chain, category management, or a related field.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort working in spreadsheets and databases (Excel/Google/Airtable Sheets required; experience with vendor management systems a plus).
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities at once.
• Ability to understand consumer behavior and use purchasing and sales trends to inform product decisions.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for working with both suppliers and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• A team player who's comfortable asking questions and flagging issues early.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10-15% of the time (e.g., supplier conferences, tasting events, industry events).
• Familiarity with micromarket, vending, or office coffee service business models is a plus.
• Experience working with product data, catalogs, inventory systems, or product management systems.