This position is responsible for leadership, strategic planning, innovation, research, new product development, vendor management, product launch and line management for a key equipment line in the Kelty brand.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Formulate and implement product development strategies through:

• Cool hunting, investigating new trends and exploring consumer needs that lead to new product opportunities and line extensions.
• Utilizing a distinct innovation process to prove out, develop and optimize new products
• Conduct thorough market research to identify and validate opportunities.
• Investigating the opportunity for alternate materials, methods and suppliers.
• Liaison with international suppliers.
• Develop 3 year product roadmap and annual customer/market specific product plans
• Working with Kelty marketing to ensure packaging and merchandising requirements are established and met.
• Lead cross functional  project teams in developing new products
• Report project progress monthly to management team
• Deliver end user relevant category innovation

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Develop and maintain detailed specifications for all products to ensure accurate manufacturing.

PRODUCT PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

Review and analyze to drive key metric improvements in sales, profit, and cash flow management.

TESTING ANALYSIS

Oversee and/or coordinate with USA and overseas offices, the coordination of testing of company and competitor products and provide meaningful analysis of test results to assist in product strategy development and promotion.

MARKETING

Work with Kelty’s VP, Sales Managers and Marketing Director to manage the implementation of marketing, merchandising, trade show, public relations and promotion strategies.

COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE

Collecting industry and market intelligence to enable the ongoing planning process

PRICING

Manage the implementation of the pricing strategies, taking into consideration competitive, cost and profit pressures

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must be able to lead cross functional project teams on defined timelines.  Position may have future direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have excellent analytical skills.
• B.A. or equivalent required, MBA preferred
• Must have 3 – 5+ years product management and new product development experience in consumer products. Outdoor industry experience a plus but not required.
• Proficient computer skills (preferably in Microsoft Office environment).
• Knowledge of the consumer goods industry, international sourcing, and forecasting/ planning/ purchasing/ distribution.
• Must be able to lead cross functional project teams on defined timelines

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic, Innovative, “Out of the box” thinker
• Strong leadership skills; ability to lead a high-performance team
• Proven track record of success in consumer product development and management.
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills to deal with customers, outside vendors and suppliers.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, written and communications skills.
• Analytical skills for evaluating product performance.
• International experience; ability to work with teams in overseas liaison offices and suppliers.
• Enthusiasm, drive, and a positive attitude
• Self-Motivated to achieve personal and team goals

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

This job description is an overview of the scope of responsibilities for this job and is not intended to be an inclusive list of job tasks and expectations. With the evolution of American Recreation Products, the responsibilities of this position may change. The job must be prepared to accept new responsibilities and transfer others.

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