Justrite Safety Group, the leading source of storage, handling and security products including fire prevention safety equipment for hazardous materials, environmental protection spill containment devices, and specialized storage products is seeking a Product Manager for our Deerfield, IL location.

Scope:

The Product Manager serves a critical and strategic role by driving the execution of key business development, commercial, PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) and NPI (New Product Introduction) programs in the support of global product management and marketing initiatives for the Industrial Distribution channel. The position will be responsible for market research, pricing evaluation and financial analysis, margin improvement activities, new product development, marketing communication materials development with support from marketing communication team; promotion in print and digital environments; product positioning; brand awareness support.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Serve as a subject matter expert for the assigned product portfolio.
• Conduct end-user voice-of-the-customer interviews that generate insights related to critical customer problems worth solving.
• Translate customer critical requirements into product specifications, partnering with Engineering.
• Identify and assess new potential market spaces to serve (market sizing, competitive landscape, potential profitability, product solutions, etc.).
• Perform competitive analysis - understand how competitors are positioned and priced in the market, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and determine how to overcome their value proposition.
• New product development - create a new product roadmap to drive incremental revenue, margin, and share growth; develop the business cases to support investment in new programs; drive NPI projects to meet schedule milestones and tollgates; collaborate with Marketing and Sales on commercialization plans.
• Margin management - develop and manage pricing strategies that enhance margin, and maximize profitability based on the products' value proposition.
• Merchandising - leveraging voice-of-the-customer insights, generate compelling product value propositions that feed Marketing and Sales campaigns.
• Product VAVE - Identify and drive product enhancements, to support continuous improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
• Manage the entire product life cycle from inception to sunset.
• Support Sales and participate in key industry events and customer meetings.

Basic requirements and experience:

• Ideal candidate will have understanding of common safety (EHS) products found in MRO industrial and/or laboratory settings.

• Four-year college or university degree in Marketing, Engineering or Business Management
• MBA degree is preferred.
• Minimum 6 Years of experience in Product Management, with an emphasis on product lifecycle management, new product development and margin management activities
• Experience working collaboratively with Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Finance and Supply Chain in a cross-functional team environment
• Professionalism, business acumen - possess insight to larger business goals and objectives and understand how the role fits into overall strategy
• Ability to prioritize obligations, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities
• Ability to think strategically and translate strategy to tangible action plans
• Technical aptitude - experience working with products where physical characteristics and/or applications are important; ability to understand basic technical literature and drawings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, to include speaking in front of an audience and copywriting.
• Proficiency in common software programs, i.e., MS Office suite, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Team player - flexible, able to adjust to shifting priorities; positive "can-do" attitude
• Ability to travel up to 20%, both domestic and international

Benefits:

We offer excellent comprehensive benefits that include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision benefits
• Health Care Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off including vacation & personal time
• 401K - with company match. Both pretax and Roth options available
• Company paid Short Term Disability
• Company paid Long Term Disability
• Company paid Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness Program