Kalsec is seeking a Director of Product Management in Kalamazoo. This is a full-time position as director of product management in the food and beverages industry.
Job Description
Job Summary
Drive product line profitability through marketing initiatives and business strategies. Insure both externally and internally, business alignment and communication of issues related to assigned products. Support the strategic marketing objectives of the product line and overall company objectives. Maximize the sales, profits, and associated benefits derived from the product line.
Essential Job Functions
1) Gather and analyze marketing and competitive information relevant to the product line including pricing, competitive analysis, sales, regulatory environment and market/product positioning.
2) Integrate support and operational functions that are critical to the product line including domestic sales, customer service, research and development, quality, product applications, procurement, and regulatory, by building collaborative relationships.
3) Lead cross-functional teams to develop and execute tactics, policies, forecasts, practices and procedures, which support the product strategy.
4) Execute business strategies on a global, national, regional, industry and customer level including pricing, product positioning, forecasting, promotion and advertising.
5) Lead the development of marketing and branding strategy development for new (w/R&D) and existing products (Applications) and brands.
6) Responsible for the P&L for the product line on a global basis.
Decisions and responsibilities of the incumbent:
A) Shape and design of the product line offering keeping us competitive and reaching the financial and strategic objectives of the product line.
B) Responsible for recommendations regarding specific standard codes and product line rationalization.
C) Responsible for initiation of new standard codes, lab codes and all formulations.
D) Responsible for insuring technical background and training for the sales force is accomplished regarding the product line offerings to insure proper positioning.
E) Undertake the leadership role in product positioning utilizing promotional activities and budgets, features and benefits of each offering, competitive knowledge of the market place and competitors offerings as well as other resources company wide available to the Directors of Product Management.
Shared decisions and responsibilities of the incumbent:
A) Pricing and forecasting with Sales and Management.
B) Strategic management of the product line with Officers.
C) Assessment of inventory levels with Procurement and or Production input
D) P & L responsibilities with Finance and Management Stakeholders.
E) Timely objectives and goal reviews with Management Stakeholders
Desired Skills and Experience
Education/Experience/Skills:
Required
Masters degree in food science/technology or business or equivalent combination of education and commercial experience in the food industry.
5-10 years of food industry experience in Sales and Marketing or Product Management.
A historical job promotional pattern, which shows potential for a top leadership role in the future
Desired
Multilingual or Bilingual, PhD in Food Science, International experience.
Equipment Operation
Standard office equipment
Fluent in Microsoft Office, Database, ERP Systems, etc.
Physical Demands
Office environment
Travel
Domestic and International travel up to 30 percent