Associate Product Manager

Location: Markham, Ontario

**Job Summary**

Reporting to the Product Manager, Proprietary Brands (Hardlines & Specialty), the Associate Product Manager role is a supportive role project managing product launches from concept to execution. This highly cross-functional role facilitates the on-strategy and timely delivery of the Stage Gate process for new products and updates to existing products. The APM will also support the development of product plans. This customer (Devoted Pet Lover - ‘DPL’) and product-obsessed role will utilize a wide range of data to identify new product development opportunities to improve sales, penetration, and profitability. The associate will support increasing brand engagement and product penetration play through supporting new product launches, particularly with innovative offerings.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**

Product
- Help identify & develop new Proprietary Brand opportunities & line extensions.
- Creation of master label copy decks.
- Support the PM in the development of a strategic product plan which meets or exceeds category financial objectives.
- Act as a liaison between the project team and design team to ensure accuracy & consistency of brand artwork and dyelines
- Support the PM in chairing kick-off meetings to ensure team alignment to the project strategy & timelines
- Conduct regular competitive market reviews, including gathering retail pricing, brand launches and product samples.
- Manage, maintain product adherence to brand positioning, brand guardrails, and customer value proposition to drive brand loyalty and equity.
- Conduct packaging reviews to ensure brand consistency & regulatory validation, including coordination with QA manager, 3rd party French translator, and any other 3rd party stakeholders required.
- Assist in the development of rationale and business cases for new product development including financial feasibility, supplier selection, product and packaging features, sales projections, pricing recommendations, marketing, merchandising and promotions.

Project Management
- Develop project critical paths including communication & coordination with cross-functional team members.
- Monitor the development and execution process to ensure on-time and on-strategy delivery of new products and updates to existing products.
- Manage the critical path for all active projects and report on project status.

Vendor Management
- Support the PM in chairing project kick-off meetings with the vendor/sourcing agent. Develop vendor-specific timelines and communicate all the information a vendor will require to support the on-time delivery of a project, as well as understand Pet Valu critical path milestones.
- Coordinate the on-time & accurate completion of all product forms including new product evaluation form, and cost change form

Collaboration
- Chair weekly team meetings to review the status of projects and help develop solutions to barriers/project delays. Capture & distribute meeting minutes outlining decisions & key action items.
- Work in collaboration with Category Managers & Associate Category Managers to understand category strategy and set appropriate product strategies and roadmaps to maximize private label penetration, market share, sales volume & profitability of assigned product categories.
- Participate in department meetings to develop strategies, troubleshoot, and actively pursue innovative items, ingredients, and packaging ideas.
- Develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders including Category Management, Supply Chain, Allocation and Marketing to ensure effective collaboration and execution of Proprietary Brand strategies and plans.
- Hands-on approach to evaluating product samples and packaging.

Reporting
- Utilize available financial & management information systems to monitor sales results and other reporting as required.
- Use quality control weekly reporting to evaluate new product ideas and existing product improvements.

**Experience, Education, Certifications**
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience in product management and development, or project management
- Private Brands experience with a retailer is a plus.
- Possess the ability to connect with the merchandising organization and be able to convert opportunities into practical business strategies.
- Relevant post-secondary education.
- Experience with Tableau and Asana is considered an asset
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Products

**Knowledge and Skills**
- Well-developed project management skills are essential.
- Strong time management skills and problem-solving skills.
- Strong work ethic with a passion for detail and accuracy
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
- Adept at working cross-functionally and collaboratively.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to roll up sleeves and get things done.
- Strong analytical skills an asset.
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize with a high sense