Product Development Manager- Retail Accounts

Product Development Manager- Retail Accounts

Career Path: Avenues include Sales Account Management, more Senior Level PDM with higher profile accounts OR into Business Unit Management leading top-line sales & profit

Compensation: $100,000 + Bonus & Benefits

Hybrid: 3 days in Oakville office

Reporting to: President of Global Sales; dotted line to Chief Innovation Officer

Neatfreak is a privately owned Canadian company headquartered in Oakville, Ontario. With over 30 years of experience, they design, manufacture, and distribute innovative storage and organization products that combine smart functionality with thoughtful design. Products are available globally through leading retail partners, including Costco, Walmart, and Canadian Tire. Focus will be on Canadian Tire (CTC), Loblaws, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Home Depot along with mass retailers, DIY and discounters in the USA. Seeking an experienced Product Development Manager for a development role who fits the following profile:

Summary – The Ideal Candidate Profile

The best fit for this role is an individual who is……

• Commercially creative — has an eye for what sells and the judgment to say no when something won't.
• Operationally sharp — organized, proactive, and thrives on moving complex projects forward independently.
• Cross-functional glue — keeps designers, engineers, and sales aligned and accountable without formal authority.
• Confident communicator — can discuss costing with a factory, materials with an engineer, and strategy with a buyer — all in the same day.
• Naturally curious — loves product, digs into details, and wants to understand how things are made, sold, and used.

Job Overview:

Product Strategy & Planning

• Define and execute the product development plan in collaboration with the channel Business Unit Manager (BUM) for the channel and the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO).

• Complete periodic market and competitive research for the product categories within the retailers defined by the channel. Using these insights to identify market gaps, then connecting consumer insights to product ideas, and translating them into executable concepts.

• Provide briefing guidance to the innovation team related to target costs, suggested retails, key features & benefits, and product positioning strategy.

• Work with Innovation and product design team in France and marketing to define the product positioning including establishing the naming protocol as well as the buyer and the consumer stories.

Product Development & Engineering

• Coordinate and lead all product management activities including new product development from conceptual stage to product launch in addition to Asian sourcing of new products. This includes working collaboratively with the innovation and design team in Lyon France on identified concepts.

• Work with the Head Engineer to establish technical requirements and specifications, prototype sample evaluation, performance feasibility against retailer testing requirements.

• Lead communication directly with factories related to all product development activities, including but not limited to quotes and sample requests, alignment of technical specifications, sample approval, and cost negotiation.

Packaging, Marketing & Sales Support

• Work with Packaging Specialist and Marketing towards developing product packaging concepts, die lines, merchandising solutions, photography, and artwork layouts.

• Support and work closely with Sales and the Marketing team towards developing presentations and coordinating product samples for presentations.

Systems, Data & Administration

• Create the SKU set-up in our system (PLM) and responsibility for ongoing database management.

Vendor & Retailer Engagement

• Attend face-to-face meetings with factories, vendors in North America and Asia as required.

• Engage with buyers and support the BUM and sales team in face-to-face retailer / buyer presentations, acting as the authority wrt product and the market.

Skills, Experience, and Education:

Education & Core Experience

• Bachelor's Degree / 5+ years previous product management experience within a retailer / manufacturing environment. Sales and / or buying experience within the Canadian / USA retailer environment, while exhibiting a strong product orientation would also represent a favourable skill set which would be considered.

• North American major account retail familiarity (within the 3rd Pillar channel) including understanding of operational requirements and protocols.

• Exposure and working knowledge of global sourcing, offshore manufacturing and production timelines, importation protocols and cost negotiations.

Trend, Market & Consumer Insight Skills

• Knowledge of trends, fashion, colour, and materials with the ability to translate insights into commercially viable assortments.

• Able to leverage data insights such as consumer reviews, competitive analysis, and performance metrics to guide and support product and business strategies.

Technical & Production Knowledge

• Strong technical orientation with an ability to interact with the development team and factories specializing in plastic injection, cut and sew and multi material fabrication to resolve product design and related production issues.

Financial & Analytical Strengths

• Extremely high level of organizational skills and an acute attention to detail with strong financial acumen including a thorough understanding of financial metrics (including sales, gross profit contribution margin, cost sheets and pricing structures). Are then able to translate cost structures, along with retailer margin expectations, to establish the right financial metrics that drive profitable growth.

Communication & Presentation Skills

• Strong presentations skills with the ability to make a well supported argument / engaging with internal stakeholders and retail buyers to present assortments in a clear and persuasive manner.

Project Leadership & Collaboration

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and deliver on deadlines from concept through to launch. PDM's work across multiple functions from Sales, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, and Innovation Team.

Mindset & Approach

• A self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset with focus on product innovation, understanding of the user experience and the need to create product differentiation. The act of balancing creativity with commercial appeal, thereby ensuring products align with retailer strategies and consumer needs.

Interview Process:  In Person Interviews, support and guidance throughout the process for selected candidates, requirement for Employment References.

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