Product Manager - Education

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Vice President of Marketing, Product/Brand Managers set the strategy of their business and unite the organization to bring that strategy to life.  As owners of the business segment, you will develop and manage Dixon Ticonderoga products to satisfy the quality, performance, and value requirements of consumers and trade customers.  This position will work collaboratively with Market Management, Marketing Communications, New Product Development, Sales, Manufacturing, and Purchasing on all aspects of product line development and maintenance. 

Role Expectations:

• Visionary for category growth
• Deeply understand our business, industry, consumers, and trade customers
• Translate those needs into business and technical requirements, product plans, and user stories by partnering with various stakeholders across the organization
• Support company-wide initiatives to improve profitability, processes, and customer satisfaction
• Proactively identify gaps and contribute creative and innovative ideas that drive business value
• Excite both internal and external stakeholders behind the vision for the category and brand.

 Essential Functions:

• Understand market trends, as well as consumer and trade customer needs for assigned product categories
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and determine product requirements for new product offerings
• Develop multi-year strategies and translate them into annual product plans
• Lead development of innovation and product enhancements, including Private Label and OEM products.
• Partner with Market Managers, Sales, and customers in development of category strategies.
• Collaborate with internal functions /departments to ensure products are produced on time, on budget, and to specified requirements, including quality standards
• Partner with Market Managers on go-to-market advertising and promotional plans
• Provide product training to sales, trade customers, and consumers
• Provide product support to internal and external customers
• Create product specifications, obtain cost estimates, and develop pricing.
• Set up and maintain product information in SAP
• Lead SKU rationalization efforts with Market Managers and Sales
• Perform customer catalog reviews to ensure product accuracy and best placement
• Work with Purchasing to approve new suppliers
• Participate in trade show planning
• Participate in product branding initiatives
• Understand product assortment (Dixon Ticonderoga and competitive) at key distributor accounts.
• Work collaboratively with Sales Account Managers and Market Managers to expand placement of Dixon Ticonderoga products

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Excellent cross-functional, project management skills
• Knowledgeable of product management practices
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to organize thoughts and communicate, completely, and concisely
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate, persuade and maintain strong working relationships
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, customers, and other Dixon employees
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, with an orientation to detail, at both the strategic and execution levels
• Ability to stay flexible and agile in a fast paced and fluid work environment
• Ability to effectively work in a team and drive results

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and/or Business, or related experience; MBA preferred
• Minimum of five years experience in Brand or Product Management or a related marketing role
• A solid track record of success in a brand or product management function that demonstrates strong individual results as well as team accomplishments
• Experience in the paper, art, and craft industries serving the education or consumer markets a plus

 Working Conditions:

• The employee will experience normal working conditions where there is no physical discomfort due to temperature, dust, noise, and other related elements.

 Note:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, abilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.