About the position
We are currently seeking a talented and motivated individual to join our team as Product Leader. In this position, you will lead product strategy and development for Scandinavian Tobacco Group’s North America Online Division. This role leads product development, brand management, total product mix & assortment, commercial vendor relations, and product advocacy and training for the company. The ideal candidate is incredibly creative and analytical with a strong understanding of the cigar industry, fast moving consumer packaged goods, product development, retail/ecommerce merchandising, project management, and pricing strategy. The Product Leader is required to balance their creative and analytical skills well, enjoys working in a demanding, fast-paced environment, relishes the opportunity to create new products, can manage multiple projects and deadlines, and has an acute awareness of our consumer’s preferences and the buying experience across our different retail businesses. In all, the Product Leader will nurture and grow the existing products in our catalog, but will also engage in forward-thinking, innovative activities to supplement, create, and on-board new products to our portfolio and our business to enhance consumer experience and fuel incremental sales and profit.
Responsibilities
- Oversee management of our entire product portfolio
- Create the ideal product assortment through regular product development and rationalization
- Evaluate 3rd party products and suppliers for potential addition to our portfolio
- Regular monitoring and reporting of sales and other key KPIs related to our private label products
- Strategizing and advocating for the ideal sales mix of private label brands within each business unit
- Creation of marketing materials and launch plans for all new private label products, including working with all staff to ensure new products are launched successfully
- Make certain private label products are competitive with major national brands and mature new brands
- Manage spend of the portion of the marketing budget dedicated to new product development
- Lead and participate in panel for reviewing new products (smoking cigars and testing merchandise)
- Ensure regular quality control and review of our new and existing proprietary products
- Work regularly with our Procurement Department and our suppliers to facilitate unique sales opportunities for the merchandising teams
- Work regularly with the Product Designers to ensure appropriate design and packaging work is completed for each project
- Work regularly with our Planning Department to secure on-time supply of new and existing proprietary brands
- Liaison with Compliance and Legal to ensure all proprietary products are compliant with current regulations and laws
- Hold regular meetings with all relevant stakeholders to ensure new idea generation and product creation that meet their needs
- Conduct regular training for our major private label brands for new hires, and brand-specific training for our sales staff.
- Maintain and distribute regular reporting to executives and key stakeholders on performance measures related to key areas of focus
- Lead/Manage special projects as required
- Be a motivated self-starter who relishes the opportunity to be challenged every day
- Have advanced skills in Excel to thrive in our data and analysis-rich business
- Have the ability and desire to travel internationally and travel up to 5 weeks per year
- Assume additional responsibilities as required
Requirements
- Strong understanding of the cigar industry and fast moving consumer packaged goods
- Experience in product development, retail/ecommerce merchandising, project management, and pricing strategy
- Ability to balance creative and analytical skills
- Experience managing multiple projects and deadlines
- Acute awareness of consumer preferences and buying experience
Benefits
- Comprehensive Health Care, Vision & Dental Plan
- Flexible Spending Account
- Disability Plans
- Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Additional Supplemental Benefits
- Paid Vacation, Paid Time Off (PTO) days, Holidays
- 401(k) Retirement Saving Plan including a generous Company match
- Employee discounts
