Product Line Manager

Aqua-Leisure Recreation, LLC is a branded consumer products company serving the needs and aspirations of millions of consumers in the market for leisure and sport related aquatic products. We serve customers on a worldwide basis through a variety of sales channels including mass merchants, club, value, sporting goods, e-commerce, specialty, and distributors. As the Product Development team expands to meet the demands of today s marketplaces, we are looking for a seasoned professional that can direct and manage the business critical and complex product assortment requirements. The position will be based in our beautiful headquarters with appropriate freedom of decision-making and ownership as well as hybrid structure of work environment.

The Product Line Manager is responsible for launching new products into the market, developing plans for new product offerings and providing superior value to our customers to increase company revenue and improve margins. This role works closely with a cross functional team that includes NPD, industrial design, sales, marketing, finance, sourcing, logistics and customer service.

This position will develop the overall strategy for a product category and research new product options to drive sales and achieve targets. Provides category insights and proposals by analyzing marketing and customer data and monitoring relevant market conditions. Works closely with sales team to determine optimal pricing through analysis of sales trends, competitors, buying habits and planograms of products to promote sales opportunities. Provides effective promotional materials. May develop special arrangements with vendors to enhance product promotions.

Supports the product lifecycle management of existing products and new product development projects. Research and monitor competitors' products and client feedback for innovative ideas for products and service offerings. Follows industry developments to identify potential new product opportunities and pricing models. Collaborates with internal teams to evaluate designs for technical feasibility, identify production requirements, and develop marketing plans and roadmap timelines. May evaluate product packaging, labeling, and promotional literature designs for compliance with product and safety specifications and regulatory guidelines.

Essential Responsibilities:

Manage the product line lifecycle from strategic planning to tactical activities. Evaluate ideas and manage the product development process including key milestones from planning to product launch through our stage-gate process.

Create product specifications, maintain all records, files and samples.

Prepare and present business plans justifying new product opportunities and lead cross-functional team through the new product development cycle.

Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the competitive landscape to include competitive pricing, features, and specs.

Determine competitive price positioning for current and new products.

Develop and execute a 3 5-year new product development plan to include price positioning, sales forecast, target cost and margins in line with company growth objectives to improve new product vitality.

Partner with domestic and overseas manufacturers to launch innovative and superior products each season.

Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.

Research existing market conditions and conduct feasibility studies to determine market demand for existing products as well as new products.

Facilitate communication regarding category product and promotional activities to key functional teams.

Report weekly to management on milestones and project updates.

Travel up to 10% to key accounts, vendors, tradeshows, photoshoots and/or factories overseas.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Possess the ability to work in a team environment with efficient time-management skills and meet targeted goals.

Identify ways to improve business results and communicate opportunities effectively.

Strong analytic skills including experience with advanced Excel functions (pivot tables / V-Look-up).

Ability to work cross-functionally, with various teams and stakeholders (including Asia and outside sales representatives) fostering teamwork, open communication, and alignment across various functions.

Minimum 4 years product development experience.

Ability to oversee multiple projects and initiatives concurrently.

Effective communication skills including ability to communicate to different audiences both verbally and in writing.

Self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency.

Proven track record of delivering success while operating within a team environment.

Strong project management skills, including ability to set and adhere to project plans, meet deadlines, prioritize work, follow-up, and manage expectations.

Dynamic presentation skills for internal and external meetings.

Desired Qualifications:

4-year degree required.

Experience in sporting goods, seasonal toys, or branded CPG product lines is desired.

Preferred experience in the outdoor sports/recreational consumer products industry.