Product Manager

Irving, TX, United States

Support Center - Irving

The Product Manager drives the ideation and execution of product development for the assigned categories. The PM works closely with the Director of Product Development to identify strategic opportunities, interpret the trend vision, and translate concepts into products and/or collections in collaboration with the Category Management team. The Product Manager will understand the division strategies and financial goals to ensure that overall product development for their department delivers consumer-driven programs that are competitive and differentiated. In some cases, the Product Manager may manage an Associate Product Manager to help execute Department goals.

Major Activities

Product Development

Trend, Innovation & Ideation :

The Product Manager owns the private brand assortment and drives innovation.

Interpret and integrate trends into commercially viable products and present curated assortment recommendations to the merchant team.

Work closely with the trend and design team to have an in-depth understanding of the market and consumer insights to drive innovation.

Lead collaborative product ideation sessions with cross-functional teams. Review the overall market and shop the competition to identify unique product opportunities.

Development: Lead the Project Kick-Off Meetings, supported by the Associate Product Manager, and communicate project requirements to stakeholders as part of the weekly Critical Path meetings to ensure deliverables are met.

Create Product Development Briefs to effectively communicate the product vision, specifications, and nuances to key strategic partners and vendors.

Communicate with the Associate Product Manager and partner with the Packaging Team to ensure key features and benefits of the products are identified.

Samples: Partner with the merchant to effectively and efficiently develop product that mirrors the strategic direction of the project.

Balancing sales data, trend, and market research to present a curated assortment to the merchant team.

Reviews samples in-depth and provides specific, actionable feedback to the vendor for every round of revisions to create the best product offering possible.

People Management: Manage, coach, and develop the associate product manager role, who will report directly to the product manager. Associate product managers are responsible for managing timelines, packaging, critical path meetings, and communication of key milestones.

Category Management Accountabilities: Understand and evaluate sales performance of the categories, and its private brand sku's to better deliver on product opportunities.

Collaborate with the sourcing team to maintain IMU targets and revise product as needed to achieve profitability goals.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Directly responsible for managing all private brand product development. This includes influencing a cross-functional team and communicating clear priorities, deadlines, and working with a sense of urgency.

Outline specific product details in the product development brief which is reviewed by the sourcing manager for vendor selection. Collaborate with sourcing managers on vendor selection.

Maintain product aesthetic and margin targets while monitoring the product costing and suggesting alternatives. Sourcing owns cost negotiations.

Articulate the vision for packaging with the associate product manager, who will create the final packaging.

Project Management: Facilitate the collaboration between internal stakeholders, including Trend, Design, Merchandising, Sourcing (global and domestic), Product Integrity, and Packaging.

Manage all internal and external communication to keep projects on track. Attention to detail, prioritization, and organization are critical.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Minimum Education Bachelor's degree is required

Minimum Special Certifications or technical skills Exceptional understanding of MS Office including Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Minimum Type of experience the job requires Minimum 5-7 years of experience with a major retailer or brand with product development and/or private label experience

Other International travel which may require several weeks and weekends

Managing international communications may require emails to be answered at night.

Exceptional project management skills

Physical Requirements Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds

Frequently moves or lifts boxes or merchandise

Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder while working with merchandise set up

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

To review a comprehensive list of benefits, please visit Michaels Benefits (MIKBenefits.com)

CO, CT, WA and RI only - To review pay ranges for the position you are applying for, please visit Michaels Pay Ranges - CO, CT, WA and RI. (MIKBenefits.com)

For 50 years, Michaels has been the best place for all things creative. We strive to inspire our customers, cultivate confident leaders, and serve our communities by fostering an inclusive environment for everyone to learn, shop, and create. At Michaels, everyone has a seat at our craft table and every Team Member is encouraged to hone their craft with opportunities for personal and professional growth. From our Stores and Distribution Centers to Artistree and our Support Center, our best-in-class team is committed to delivering on our purpose to fuel the joy of creativity. As the leading creative destination in North America, we operate over 1,290 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise, and MakerPlace by Michaels, a dedicated handmade goods marketplace.

Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all Makers to create, innovate and be better together.

Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).

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