Product Manager

Job Title:                             Product Manager                                            

Department:                      Innovation Center

Reports to:                         Sr. Product Manager                                                      

Job Status:                          Full Time

Classification:                   Exempt                           

Job Purpose:  The Product Manager is responsible for managing CZ-USA products, to include managing products throughout the product lifecycle, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with Firearms Technology, to deliver winning products. The Product Manager ensures that the product and marketing efforts support CZ-USA’s overall strategy and goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Manage line plans and product lifecycles by working to ensure the overall health of the product line in all stages, including exit strategies.
• Develop product specifications / requirements.
• Execute near-term product development initiatives and develop the long term new products pipeline.
• Carry out the strategy and goals of the marketing and sales departments, taking input on product specifics from category experts.
• Work with sales, marketing, quality assurance, and customer service, (and other groups as necessary) to support and ensure revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met.
• Deliver new products on time—using market research and CZ’s documented product development processes.
• Instigate and analyze market research to show whitespace—folding in these insights to create identifiable points of difference our customers appreciate.
• Conduct research and business analysis.
• Analyze market data to develop category strategies and roadmaps.
• Monitor performance/trends of key competitors and retailers.
• Collaborate with sales and international partners.
• Work with Project Management to develop schedules.
• Work with firearms technology, procurement, and suppliers on development/testing plans.
• Lead development of packaging, marketing materials and other collateral.
• Support development of product catalog and marketing materials.
• Conduct product workshops annually for Sales, Reps, Customer Service, and other CZ-USA personnel.
• Provide ongoing training to customer service and sales staff.

• Participate in key account calls.
• Create derivatives/SMU’s and “special programs” for key accounts when conducive to the business.
• Actively participate in key trade shows.
• Track/analyze sales and profitability of new and existing products.
• Pro-actively manage inventory by working with demand planning, procurement and sales.
• Conduct SKU rationalization exercise annually.
• Assist in product forecasting.
• Analyze and interpret P.O.S data, sales reports, etc.
• Write reports, business correspondence, instruction manuals and sales and marketing materials.
• Communicate with the subject matter experts at CZ-USA and externally when necessary.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; and participating in professional organizations.
• Complete other duties as assigned by management.
• Complete all required paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.
• Timely and regular attendance is required to ensure work flow is not interrupted. 
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Assist all employees in department in completing their work when necessary.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering or equivalent experience in place of a degree.

Required Experience & Skills

• 3-5 years of directly related experience in new product/market development or related field.
• Experience managing a product line from concept to launch.
• In-depth knowledge of firearms, firearms components and usage. 
• Experience with a phase-gate/stage-gate process.
• Ability to assess and recommend improvements for processes and procedures.
• Ability to think logically, critically, and work well under pressure, effectively managing time and prioritizing responsibilities for department and effectively manage deadlines.
• Strong communication skills with exceptional spoken and written English skills.
• Must demonstrate a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must maintain a valid passport, with the ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• 3-5 years of experience as a product manager, brand manager or product engineer in the firearms or ammunition industry.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Travel Requirements

• Up to 10%, domestically and internationally.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to legally possess firearms under applicable laws.
• Ability to pass criminal background test and drug test.
• Ability to work overtime when required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS: 

The following are the physical requirements of this position, which all workers filling the position must be able to do or withstand each day:

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 
• Vision: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; Ability to see color. 
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, or gases.