Product Manager

Reports to: Senior Product Manager

Purpose of Role

The Product Manager is responsible for executing the agreed strategy for product marketing initiatives, managing the product lifecycle, and leading insights analysis to support product positioning across our house of brands.

The role ensures that products meet both customer and business needs while aligning sales and marketing efforts to effectively communicate the value propositions of the company's products. The Product Manager will work closely with commercial teams, other marketing teams, supply chain, factories, and regional/global counterparts to ensure successful product launches, promotion, and adoption, aligning product initiatives with business goals and market opportunities.

Main Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Vision

• Support defining a clear category vision aligned with business goals.
• Execute the agreed strategy with the senior team to achieve defined business objectives, delivering the budgeted net sales focused on profitable growth.
• Develop and execute a long-term product roadmap aligned with the category marketing vision and business goals.
• Create compelling value propositions and positioning that resonates with target customers.
• Manage the full lifecycle of the product portfolio, ensuring exceptional customer value propositions, long-term competitive advantage, and healthy financial performance.
• Lead category management and support corporate marketing programmes.
• Leverage analytics to track product performance and iterate accordingly.
• Manage all steps of the product introduction process and oversee the product portfolio.

Sales Enablement

• Work closely with sales teams to equip them with all the tools required to sell the initiatives.
• Develop and deliver presentations to inspire the company on new products and initiatives.
• Develop bespoke ranges to suit key retailer needs, fostering close collaborative relationships.
• Support content generation for all product-related marketing communications.

Market, Customer Insights & Feedback

• Conduct competitor analysis and market research to identify trends, needs, and competitor insights.
• Constantly monitor competitive analysis to identify opportunities.
• Use insights to inform product development, positioning, and marketing strategies.
• Monitor customer feedback and product reviews to continuously improve strategies.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and technological advancements.

Financial Efficiency

• Ensure SKU efficiency across the entire product range.
• Conduct value analysis and product cost engineering projects with central and regional HQ teams and factories.
• Deliver consumer needs and benefits-driven products and pricing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Maintain strong relationships and demonstrate values and behaviours aligned with our Leadership DNA.
• Collaborate with brand, trade, finance, supply chain, executives, central and regional HQ, and UK-based sales teams to launch products and programmes effectively and efficiently.
• Maintain a strong, influential, and direct link with central and regional HQ teams and factories.

Any other duties as requested by the line manager, Head of Product Marketing, and other Executives.

Job Specifications

Education

• Degree in Engineering (or a Business-related subject)
• Diploma in Marketing (or equivalent)

Experience

• Proven successful experience in a professional, high-energy Product Marketing environment, equivalent to at least 5 years of experience.
• Thorough understanding of the relevant market and a good understanding of the commercial environment and commercial relationships that can be incorporated into product strategies.
• UK market knowledge and experience in the cooking category is preferred.

Skill Set

• Combines creativity with excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Advanced problem-solving skills and ability to multitask in fast-paced environments.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and develop strong business relationships.
• Strong team player at all levels across the company.
• First-class communication (written and spoken) and presentation skills.
• Clear understanding of UK consumer behaviour, current and future trends, and technologies.
• Good PC skills, especially MS Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.