Product Manager, Interior Woodcare

Sherwin-Williams hiring for Product Manager, Interior Woodcare jobs in Cleveland, OH, US

This position is responsible for driving innovation and profitable growth across Interior Stains Category: Minwax & DuraSeal.  This position will collaborate cross-functionally with Brand, Digital, Customer Marketing, Marcomm, R&D, Color Lab, Color Marketing, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, Sales, Legal and Finance to ensure successful planning and execution of new product development and maintenance of business projects. This position has also brand and digital responsibilities for DuraSeal brand in US and Canada.

This position will also support Innovation Excellence, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement initiatives

1. Ability to help lead and influence in a cross functional organization with external customers
2. Ability to develop and manage the execution of plans and projects on-time and on-budget
3. Lead and contribute to short-term and long-term strategic planning
4. Demonstrate leadership and ownership of the assigned product line
5. Deliver product sales and profit as assigned
6. Core responsibilities and tasks for success:

Product Lifecycle Management 

• Assist and manage in the development of marketing plans and brand reviews
• Drives development of product pipeline - building a cohesive strategy through innovation, evolution and productivity initiatives
• Work closely with Sales, Customer Marketing, and Customer Service on products to determine what product would serve specific customers/projects best
• Product Sales and Profit budget achievement
• Improve Brand/Product awareness to Sales and Marketing
• Research and determine End User needs for assigned product lines
• Develop and implement New Product Development of assigned product lines
• Learn and understand the chemistry inside the can by working closely with R&D 
• New product commercialization through established Stage Gate process
• Lead projects directing Technical, Global Supply Chain, Marketing and Sales
• Product expense cost reduction
• Analyze and lead SKU Rationalization of assigned products
• Manage life cycle of assigned products and develop plans to minimize obsolescence
• Coordinate efforts with production planning forecasting efforts
• Execute plans and projects on-time and on-budget
• Analyze competitors’ products and new products/developments with category
• Engage and execute omni-channel activations as directed, including working with Brand, Digital and Customer Marketing and Training teams to assist in Website development, review and provide input on product brochures, sell sheets and in-store POP activation, brand and PR campaigns and more.

New Product Development

• Provide consumer insights to new product opportunity territories within the Interior Wood segment
• Develop new product concepts and concept statements for market research
• Utilize validated concept ratings and consumer insight to develop product design profiles with the Product Technology and Commercialization Labs
• Develop and provide clear strategies for growth opportunities to R&D 
• Management of Market Research for New Product Development initiatives 
• Develop and maintain product roadmaps 5+ years out for all Channels within the Interior Wood category
• Manage packaging for consumer packaged goods to drive first to market differentiation 

Financial Accountability

• Prepare financial budgets for assigned products through costing analysis with the Finance leads
• Monitor costs associated with Product/Brand
• Help prepare demand forecasts, monitor customer/retailer P.O.S data and monitor changes in product costs, product mix, and recommend subsequent/needed adjustments in pricing with Customer Marketing
• Deliver product sales and profit within Product categories managed

 Communication & Training

• Lead the development and communicate with training team on assigned product lines and new products
• Assist Customer, Digital and Brand Marketing in development of New Product launch packages
• Assist development of sales tools including training manuals, catalogs and brochures

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Required:
  •  Bachelor’s Degree 
• Preferred:
  • Advanced degree preferred 

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Required:
  • 5+ years of product management or equivalent experience.             
  • Extensive and comprehensive understanding of New Product Development, StageGate Process and Navigator 
  • Experience preferably in Paint/Stains or related category. 
  • At least 1 years of experience with P&L and budgeting required. 
  • Previous experience managing a team. 
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Preferred:
  • Prior knowledge of externally sourced goods process
  • Prior brand and digital management experience 

TECHNICAL/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Required:
  • Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and analytical skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong presentation skills
  • Self-directed and self-motivated.
  • Flexible and able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
  • Time management skills to organize daily and monthly planning activities.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 20%