Product Manager / Category Lead - Advanced Respiratory PPE

Location: Norfolk / Cambridgeshire / Suffolk Border
Ref: 21559
Type: Permanent
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***POSITION UNDER OFFER***

A leading safety product design & manufacturing business seek an experienced Product Manager to lead the continued development and expansion of their advanced Respiratory PPE safety device product range as Category Lead.
Salary – c.£50-£60k (DOE) + bonus & benefits TBC
Location – Norfolk

A role suited to an experienced Product Manager / Product Marketing Manager, with exposure of technical, industrial and/or medical device manufactured products seeking an opportunity to take ownership of an entire product category with excellent NPD and growth opportunity.

This business has a long and successful history in new product design, manufacture and international supply of market-leading safety and PPE products. These include advanced Respiratory protection device product lines for the industrial & hazardous sectors, with emerging development and demand for wider sector use.

Reporting to the Marketing, Product and Innovation directorate, the Product Manager / Category Lead will be responsible for managing the Respiratory Protection device product categories throughout the product lifecycle defining the 'why', 'what,' and 'when' of the product category. Working with internal manufacturing and external partners to bring products to market in a timely, pinpointed and successful fashion.

Through understanding and analysis of the market and competitive conditions, you will create and deliver a product category vision across existing and new products with unique value based on customer demand. Executing this through cross function leadership of resources from Engineering, Sales and Marketing Communications teams with a keen focus on cost, revenue and profit growth delivery.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:
• Be the respiratory protection device products product category evangelist to build awareness and understanding both internally and externally.
• Manage the product category life-cycle from strategic planning to tactical activities (inception to withdrawal) to deliver short and longer-term budgeted sales and contribution
• In conjunction with the Brand and Customer Engagement Lead, define the long-term strategy of the product category with a focus on delivering the right product, on time and in full.
• Work closely with the Product Engineering to deliver with optimal time and resources.
• Identify and analyse potential partner relationships for finished goods or components to help develop best in class systems.
• Use market insights and customer feedback to inform product refinements and ongoing developments.
• Identify and develop solutions to fill product gaps and generate new ideas that grow market share, improve customer experience and drive growth
• Develop and implement go-to-market plans, for existing and NPD products, working with all departments to execute.
• Develop product pricing and positioning strategies.
• Scope and prioritise activities based on business and customer impact.
• Own product launches including working with Brand and Customer Engagement Lead and Technical training specialist to develop sales tools and training materials.
• Own Initial launch forecasting, providing initial forecasts for production, working with sales teams on executing product take up in customer base.
• In conjunction with the Brand and Customer Engagement Lead, deliver promotional plans that are consistent with Brand and product strategy and ensure messages are effectively conveyed.
• Manage product category related support, feedback and inquiries from users
• Monitor product inventory, content and SKU creation/ complexity reduction where possible

Key Skills Required:
• Experience of leading the full lifecycle of Product Category Management / Product Marketing Management at a senior level in a fast-paced technical manufactured product business
• Highly commercial with strong understanding across multi-discipline area’s including marketing, sales, manufacturing, planning, NPD, financial (cost, pricing, revenue and profit) with excellent presentation and communication skills
• Experienced in creating commercial product category plans and launching products into the market.
• Excellent project management skills
• Demonstrable ability to solve problems, and create meaningful solutions based on data
• Proven ability to create engagement and secure commitment and delivery of actions from all stakeholders
• Ability to empathise with all team members, accurately translating needs clearly and concisely
• Proficient in the use of IT Systems including MS Office packages, especially MS projects
• A self-starter with an enquiring mind and attention to detail, with a pursuit of excellence.
• Educated to graduate degree or above (e.g. MBA) or equivalent vocational qualifications/experience considered

Highly Advantageous:
• Previous experience and knowledge of Respiratory breathing device systems or other related medical device products and PPE / H&S markets.

We are open to consider Category / Product Manager / Product Marketing Managers from all technical manufactured product industries; However, you will have a distinct advantage in application if you have a broad knowledge/experience of PPE, Safety Equipment and even more so Respiratory / Breathing Apparatus or other Medical Devices.

Contact: andrew@ag-search.co.uk