Assistant Product Portfolio Manager

Job Summary

Working under the direction of Product Portfolio Manager, the Assistant Product Portfolio Manager supports and manages assigned new product development, product line extension, and commercialization projects from concept through launch and product lifecycle. The role works closely with Sales, RD&E, Marketing/Branding, CX, and other cross-functional teams to support customer and market needs, product profitability, successful launches, and overall business growth.

Essential Job Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential functions/duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties/functions may be added or assigned.

Responsibilities

• Support the Product Portfolio Manager with new product development, line extensions, and commercialization from concept through launch, including product briefs, assigned projects, timelines, prototypes, samples, and deliverables.
• Partner with RD&E and cross-functional teams including Sales, Marketing/Branding, CX, Quality, and Operations to evaluate feasibility, coordinate development, resolve challenges, and support timely launches.
• Support Sales and customer-facing activities by working directly with Sales Managers, participating in customer meetings, innovation sessions, plant visits, and trade shows, and translating customer feedback into product opportunities.  
• Conduct market and competitive research to identify trends, customer needs, pricing, portfolio gaps, and opportunities. Maintain competitive analyses, cross-references, category matrices, and other market intelligence tools.
• Prepare pre-development NCMs, margin analyses, reports, and recommendations to support product, customer, and business decisions.
• Manage prototype, sample, and product information, including historical RP/prototype tracking, sample coordination, competitive samples, and accurate product information in applicable systems.
• Support and improve product processes and systems, including Salesforce, PSF, Epicor, SOPs, project trackers, and checklists to improve visibility, consistency, and efficiency.
• Partner with Marketing/Branding and internal teams on product launches and communication, including product training, photoshoots/videos, application ideas, presentations, sales materials, catalogs, and carton artwork.
• Domestic travel approximately 5%–10%.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Product Management.

Safety

• Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements.
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards.
• Attend scheduled EH&S training program.
• Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans.
• Recommend improved EH&S practices. 
• Practices safe work habits and follows general safety procedures such as proper lifting and bending, ergonomics, proper use of equipment and use of personal protection equipment (PPE).

Product Safety and Quality

• Follows Product Safety and Quality standards.
• Follows GMP’s in regard to food contact packaging as it pertains to the employee.
• Follows IPC product defense standards and complies with all SQF requirements.

Minimum Requirements (include education, experience, special skills, licenses and/or certifications required.) The list below represents the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or business management.
• Understanding of engineering terminology, a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with Salesforce, Pardot, SharePoint, and Teams preferred. 
• Ability to read and interpret technical and financial information. 
• Ability to apply mathematical and statistical concepts to sales forecasting and financial analysis. 
• Ability to analyze complex data and draw data-driven conclusions.