Product Manager

BIG PICTURE VIEW

The Product Manager of Bulk material plays a key role in ensuring that Flinn maintains the right assortment of bulk material to create the hands-on learning kits that it produces for schools and other educational suppliers.

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY

1. Bulk Goods Management:
   • Build and maintain comprehensive product information for Flinn's bulk goods.
   • Develop and implement strategies for key products throughout their lifecycle that is a win-win for Flinn and white label partners.
   • Manage and maintain products through a structured line review and maintenance process.
   • Measure success through improvements in working capital and profitability.
   • Collaborate closely with Merchandising, GSC, and White Label commercial teams.
2. White Label Kitting:
   • Create a scalable white label kitting build process that reduces complexity for the organization.
   • Leverage preferred bulk materials to develop kits and products.
   • Work closely with the Merchandising team to meet the needs of white label customers and manage customers through transition.
   • Enable profitable and scalable growth while minimizing inventory.
3. Leadership:
   • Lead and manage a team, providing guidance and support.
   • Foster a collaborative and productive work environment.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   • Work collaboratively with various departments to achieve business objectives.
   • Ensure seamless communication and coordination across teams to ensure an excellent customer experience.

WHAT YOU’RE GOOD AT AND WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze product lifecycle data and market trends to develop strategies that balance profitability and partner satisfaction.
• Operational Efficiency: Strong focus on process optimization, especially in building scalable systems for white label kitting while managing complexity.
• Collaborative Leadership: Demonstrates strong cross-functional communication and collaboration, ensuring alignment between Merchandising, GSC, and commercial teams.
• Results-Driven Mindset: Consistently measures performance against working capital, profitability, and inventory metrics, and takes initiative to adjust strategies as needed.
• Problem Solving and Adaptability: Proactively addresses challenges in product management and white label transitions, maintaining a flexible approach to meet evolving business needs.

What You Need to be Successful 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree or MBA is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in product management, supply chain management, or a related field, ideally within manufacturing or educational products.
• Experience with white label product development and kitting processes is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in managing cross-functional teams and leading projects from concept to execution.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Normal office and warehouse environment. Position is based in the Batavia, Illinois office and requires the incumbent to be on-site 60-80% of the time.  Position may require individual to occasionally work extended hours or weekends as required by responsibilities of position and/or occasionally be on call or available by phone to answer support questions in emergencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This role requires the ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and work on a computer. The position may also involve lifting up to 15 pounds occasionally. Additionally, the individual must be able to access and navigate all departments within the organization’s facilities.

BENEFITS: https://www.flinnsci.com/about-us/careers-at-flinn/