Product Category Manager

Job Description

**Job Title: Product Category Manager**
**Location: Cleveland, OH**
**Business Unit: Team Wendy**
**Purpose of Position:**
Responsible for following product portfolios: Non-Ballistic Helmet Portfolio & Technical Standards
* Determine the positioning of a product category to maximize visibility and profitability within broader Team Wendy product portfolio.
* Find opportunities to maximize the profitability of the business and conducting financial analysis.
* Assist cross functional teams to become the brand leader in Non-ballistic helmets.
* Ensure all products are developed to meet the appropriate technical standard required by the market.

**Essential duties and/or Functions:**
* Engage in Front End of Innovation (FEI) process and the NPI stage gate process.
* Develop go-to-market recommendations and strategies regarding assigned categories and cross promotions with other categories.
* Define purpose and role of category within the Business portfolio and set, measure, and track specific category metrics to ensure performance success.
* Develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products, aligned to creation and management of Phase-In-Phase-Out Plans (PIPOs).
* Establish forecasts for product demand to ensure the sustainability of inventory. Checking and managing inventory for various product categories.
* Determine the positioning of a product category to maximize visibility and performance within broader Team Wendy portfolio.
* Forage for innovative products that will shape the future through strategic involvement with industry partners, shows and publications, etc. while creating a highly curated brand portfolio.
* Develop, create, and recommend alternative solutions for profit and sales growth.
* Create long term strategic plans regarding category and company growth in the Non-Ballistic global markets.
* Work with Global Category Director to establish annual and three-year budget development and revenue for Non-Ballistic helmets
* Create and circulate reports and dashboard to the Global Category Director that provide overview of overarching strategy, monthly/annual sales performance with direct profit management, risks, competitive movement, and near-term objectives.
* Adjusting strategies and materials to improve sales and profits with new target markets.

**Required Minimum Qualifications:**
* Bachelor’s degree required (Business Administration or Marketing preferred) or related professional work experience. Master’s degree a plus.
* Experience managing technical products, from development through launch.
* Solid understanding of finance, pricing, supply chain management and operations.
* Proficiency in written and oral communication/presentation skills.
* Demonstrated capabilities in a variety of data collection and survey techniques.
* A demonstrated capability to think strategically and execute tactically. The successful candidate must be an integrative thinker with a strong foundation in data driven problem solving.
* A demonstrated depth and breadth in business acumen across the major functional disciplines including Business Development, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Contracts, Business Development and Sales.

**Preferred/Desired Skills and/or Experiences:**
* Excellent strategic and analytical skill set.
* Demonstrated success defining and launching excellent products.
* Excellent teamwork skills.
* Demonstrated ability to meet or beat assigned targets and deadlines consistently.
* Experience with cross-functional teams that include engineering, manufacturing, regulatory, sales, and marketing staff.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills including presentation experience to large and diverse audiences.
* Seasoned experience using Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

**About Avon Technologies:**
We design and produce life-critical personal protection solutions for the world’s militaries and first responders. With a portfolio that includes Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (“CBRN”), protection. We do this through our two brands, Avon Technologies and Team Wendy. Our mission is to provide unparalleled protection for those who protect us, giving them the confidence to tackle challenging situations and helping them get home safe. At Avon Protection, we recognize that our success relies on the collective efforts of our talented team. As an organization, we welcome individuals who embody our #FIERCE company values – fearlessness, integrity, excellence, resilience, collaboration, and the ability to execute.
**What We Offer:**
* Flexible Schedule
* Competitive Compensation Package
* Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
* 401k Matching
* Tuition Reimbursement
* Learning and Development Initiatives

*This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with this job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserved the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.*
*Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws.*

*U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain “non-U.S. persons” (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, “Temporary Residents” (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum (but excluding persons in nonimmigrant status such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, etc.) or non-U.S. citizens.*

*To comply with these laws, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within Avon that may present access to export controlled technical data, Avon must assess employees’ U.S. person status, as well as citizenship(s).*

*The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position. The decision whether or not to file or pursue an export license application is at Avon’s sole election.*
*Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without a sponsorship for employment visa status (e.e. H1B status).*
*The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Cleveland, OH is $130,000 to $155,000 annually.* *The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, type and years of experience within the industry, education, etc.*
***EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability***