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WAGE CATEGORY: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Marketing
LOCATION: Burlington, VT
REPORTS TO: Marketing Director-Product Management
DATE/REVISION DATE: November 24, 2008

OVERVIEW
The Product Manager is responsible for the development and execution of product plans for assigned product line(s). The Product Manager guides cross-functional teams to ensure successful contribution of assigned product line to the business. This extends from product performance upgrades, assortment or configuration changes and environmental improvements for existing products to the development of new products/product lines. The Product Manager develops product plans from existing ideas and generates new ideas based on multiple inputs including market trends, consumer insights, industry experience and contact with consumers, customers, cross-functional team members, data etc.

The Product Manager must be able to communicate effectively with all areas of the company. You will work with Consumer Insights to define research needed to develop consumer driven product strategy. You will work with R&D and Sourcing counterparts to define product release requirements. You will work with Brand and Customer Marketing to define the go-to-market strategy, helping them understand the product positioning, key benefits, and target customer. You will also serve as the internal and external advocate for your product offering, occasionally working with the sales channel and key customers.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

• Identify strategic product initiatives in line with Seventh Generation company strategy and recommend to Senior Management with sound rationale.
• Lead New Product Development Process and inspire cross-functional teams to bring new and upgraded product initiatives to market from inception through post launch evaluation. This includes (but isn’t limited to):
  • build the business case for all product initiatives (strategy, opportunities, risks, financial plan, etc)
  • present product initiatives for approval at stage-gate meetings with senior managers
  • develop project plan and timeline
  • effectively communicate, collaborate with, and motivate the cross-functional team to deliver on-time product launch, with necessary sell-in tools.
• Develop and implement a company-wide go-to-market plan, working with all departments to execute.
• Specify market requirements for current and future products.
• Recommend qualitative and quantitative research to inform category strategy.
• Develop objectives, forecasts, selling tools, post–launch evaluation for each new / upgraded product.
• Analyze SVG product performance utilizing internal and external data sources.
• Regular analysis of competitive products, positioning, and promotion.
• Be willing to participate fully in the Seventh Generation community.
• Continually work to clarify, identify and express essential gifts/skills/talents, both personal and professional, so that Seventh Generation can nurture and be served by them to achieve the company’s highest aspirations.
• Commit to personal development and growth by actively participating in personal development initiatives and applying developmental thinking within the context of planning and executing work.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree
• 2-4 years of Consumer Products Marketing and Product Management experience
• Demonstrated strategic thinking skills
• Strong product portfolio management with experience in leading a new product process
• Strong project management experience
• Financial acumen as it relates to margin and pricing fundamentals
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to communicate with all levels of a company (internal/external)
• Ability to influence people and functions without formal authority
• Passion for and ability to model behavior that is aligned with our mission, vision, values & operating principles
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines
• Experience in a rapidly growing business a plus
• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Microsoft Project experience is a bonus
• Passion for working in a values based company in alignment with a learning organization
• Strong alignment with SVG essence and direction

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office Environment
• Travel up to 10% of the time

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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

This job description should not be interpreted to be a complete list of all the duties and responsibilities performed by the jobholder. To maintain organizational flexibility, management has the discretion to add, drop or change at any time the duties, responsibilities and expectations of this job.

This job description does not constitute an offer of employment, continuous employment or an employment contract.

Qualified applicants should send a current resume and cover letter to staffing@seventhgeneration.com.

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