Senior Manager, Product Development & Merchandising
Location: Denver, CO (on-site, hybrid)
Reports To: Vice President of Merchandising
Brands: Lolli & Pops | Hammond’s Candies
About the Role
Lolli & Pops and Hammond’s Candies are on a mission to delight customers through unforgettable confections and retail experiences. We’re looking for a Senior Manager of Product Development & Merchandising to lead innovation, set trends, and develop best-in-class candy assortments across both brands. You’ll be at the forefront of flavor, format, and form — shaping what’s next in sweets and ensuring we remain first to market with irresistible new products.
This is a high-impact, highly creative role for someone who understands the business of joy — and how to turn confections into profitable customer obsessions.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive product development strategy across seasonal, everyday, and limited-edition programs for Lolli & Pops and Hammond’s Candies.
- Identify emerging trends, flavors, and global innovations to ensure both brands stay ahead of the market.
- Lead concept-to-shelf product lifecycle — from ideation and sampling to packaging, pricing, and performance analysis.
- Collaborate with supply chain, R&D, marketing, and sales to bring new products to life with speed, quality, and profitability.
- Build and maintain vendor and co-manufacturer relationships, ensuring quality, compliance, and production agility.
- Manage product line architecture and SKU productivity for both retail and wholesale channels.
- Own product financials: cost targets, margin strategy, and retail pricing decisions.
- Partner closely with visual merchandising and marketing teams to develop compelling in-store and eCommerce presentations.
- Represent the brands at trade shows and trend-spotting events to feed innovation pipeline.
Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in merchandising, product development, or innovation roles within the candy, confections, or snack food industry (required).
- Proven track record of delivering successful, trend-driven product launches with strong margin performance.
- Strong aesthetic and brand sensibility with an eye for packaging, product appeal, and market differentiation.
- Experience managing vendor relationships, including contract manufacturing and sourcing.
- Ability to balance creativity with commercial acumen — and move fast without sacrificing detail.
- Exceptional communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
What We’re Looking For
- A tastemaker with business instincts.
- Someone who eats seasonal strategy for breakfast and dreams in gummy bears and marshmallows.
- An entrepreneurial spirit who thrives in fast-paced, growth-focused environments.
- Passion for the artistry, nostalgia, and future of candy.
Ready to shape what’s next in sweets?
Join us in crafting moments of joy, one delicious innovation at a time.