| Job Description | Purpose of Role
Manage product development focused on long-term, annual, and seasonal strategy for M&M'S World. Objective is to help achieve revenue and profit goals for assigned categories. Through innovative product development, position will help to increase profitability of existing products as well as seasonal product assortments. Products will be built based on existing ideas as well as new ideas based on industry experience and expertise. Focus on current and upcoming fashion trends and product design that supports brand integrity & consistency. Manage development process to ensure forward movement to deliver on-time positive results. Provide support to product managers.
Principal Responsibilities:
· Category responsibilities will include candy, co pack, dispensers and special projects (i.e. NASCAR).
· Intimate with marketplace trends, identifies products that fit well into the overall brand positioning and direction.
· Can work effectively with supplier's technical team both domestically and overseas.
· Understands brand building and how specific product styling translates into the appropriate image of the brand.
· Responsible for product development calendar deliverables and manages processes and efforts across functional lines.
· Responsible for identifying creative concepts or business opportunities associated with or presented by trend.
· Ensures that the product development process delivers products that are realistic and on strategy.
· Partners with buyer/planner to identify and deliver financial planning strategies including margin goals, sales plans, and inventory turn goals.
· Works closely with buyer/planner to analyze business results and identify areas of opportunity as well as timely evaluation and resolution of challenges.
· Manages supplier relationships and follows strategic partnership strategy guidelines. Evaluates suppliers based on creative abilities, quality control, vendor assurance practices and pricing.
· Provides creative direction and support to key suppliers.
· Partners with key stakeholders in other areas of the business including M&M'S Brand Team, M&M'S World Marketing Team, Licensing Team, Vendor Assurance Team, and Marketing Properties Team.
· Work with MMW Marketing to provide product knowledge training for store associates.
· Sets up and maintains new SKUS for all areas
Mission Critical Competencies
· Understanding of Vendor Assurance Programs and Practices.
· Creative talent and instincts that are appropriate for our brands and characters.
· Experience developing consumer products using characters, brands, and other intellectual properties.
· Excellent communication skills both oral and written and ability to work with a multi-cultural supplier base.
· Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
· Strong negotiation skills and understanding of development costs, manufacturing procedures, and component pricing.
Key Experiences/Knowledge
· Position requires experience working in a high performance team environment.
· Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deliver on-time positive results.
· Knowledge and understanding of our customers and their affinity to the brand.
· New business opportunities, products, and potential distribution channels.
· Margin goals, pricing strategies, product mix, buying practices, and seasonal plans that are appropriate for diverse retail venues.
Inventory planning and logistics practices to improve overall business performance.
Key Skills
· Experience developing consumer products using characters, brands, and other intellectual properties.
· Responsibility for achieving sales goals for a specific department or category. Must have knowledge of key financial metrics (sales, inventory, GM%, turnover) and how to analyze a business.
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Qualifications
Identifies assortment strategies, items, product lines, and works closely with planners to quantify buy-in and exit strategies.
· Participates in vendor selection process and recommends vendors/suppliers.
· Determines seasonal, annual and long-term assortment plans.
· Introduces products for specific locations based on regional needs, events, and brand initiatives.
· Risk assessment related to products and suppliers.
· Design art/graphics approvals.
· Development costs related to good, better, best pricing strategy.
The knowledge, skills, and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program in retail/business related field or equivalent work experience.
Proficiency in (software packages)Word, Excel, and Power Point experience
Successful completion of a drug and background screen
Company-paid relocation is not available for this position.
As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars North America offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health and dental care coverage, a retirement plan, a very competitive vacation plan and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits.
If you're looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are called ""associates"" and treated as such, then we want to hear from you.
We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age. Mars North America is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
Visit www.mars.com to learn more about our company and for information about all of our current openings. Please, no agencies.
Job
Retail
Primary Location
NA-USA-New Jersey |
| | Company | | Mars Global Chocolate | Job Code | | State or Province | | New Jersey | | |
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