Product Manager
The Product Manager is part of the product development, sales & marketing team. This role supports the business in developing and implementing product and brand strategies through the marketing and development of retail and healthcare brands.
Scope of the Job
The role covers both the retail and healthcare industries across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Key Responsibilities
Product Life Cycle Management
* Tactical planning for a product or range of products with the customer, including concept presentations.
* Support customers with brand management expertise, including new product development (NPD) and packaging design ideas.
* Implement product and/or packaging specification changes and new product launches.
* Manage and process all packaging and product developments with internal and external stakeholders.
* Support customers throughout the product life cycle to ensure timely launches.
* Utilize systems and processes to coordinate and communicate with other departments internally and externally.
* Assist with the design and origination of packaging and printed materials, liaising with agencies, production sites, and printers.
* Review artwork and ensure deadlines are met.
* Responsible for implementing the packaging guidelines handbook.
Marketing
* Assist customers in the development and execution of TTL marketing plans.
* Support customers in creating and maintaining sales support materials, including sample packs, POS, and editorial content.
Collaboration & Key Stakeholders
* Work closely with the Key Account Manager to manage clients from a product development and marketing perspective.
* Collaborate with the Technical Team to ensure product and packaging compliance and provide product expertise when needed.
* Engage with the Category Manager to analyse the market using generalist market data, distributor and consumer panels (Nielsen, Kantar, etc.), qualitative and quantitative ad hoc research, and retailer EPOS sales data to develop insights and identify opportunities.
* Interface with production and planning teams to ensure products are launched on time.
Complexity & Problem Solving
* Manage multiple product categories and a high volume of SKUs.
* Project manage complex initiatives involving cross-functional teams to deliver on time and within budget.
* Work under pressure, handling client crises such as product recalls and time-sensitive launches with minimal cost and complexity.
* Balance market coherence with client-specific requests to ensure feasibility and alignment with business capabilities.
* Become a recognized product champion, understanding the market, consumer demands, and product requirements.
Qualifications & Skills for Success
* Ideally 1-3+ years in FMCG and/or healthcare industry experience.
* 3-5+ years of experience in product management/development and/or packaging project management and marketing.
* Fluent in English.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Teams, Excel, etc.).
* Highly organized and structured.
* Strong presentation skills, with the ability to interact with customers as part of a team or independently.
* Team player, working within a dynamic and dedicated small team.
* High level of business acumen and commercial awareness regarding decisions and their impact.
* Ability to grasp business strategy, understand the bigger picture, and implement winning action plans.
* Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships internally within the personal hygiene brand and externally with clients.
* Effective communication skills with diplomacy to handle conflicting interests.
* Influencing skills to manage stakeholders and gain buy-in without direct authority.
* Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
* Stay informed on market trends, pricing, and product developments to keep customers updated.
* Become an expert in products, categories, and the grocery and healthcare sectors.
* Assist with ad hoc projects as assigned by management.
* Experience in hygienic disposables markets is advantageous.
* Experience in private label/own brand development is a plus.