Product Management and Marketing Specialist

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the development and ownership of product strategy, planning, design and execution for J. J. Keller's Services line, which includes consulting and outsource service offerings, along with web/mobile technology solution offerings. This includes coordinating product/service creation and maintenance throughout the product lifecycle, from concept ideation through SKU rationalization. This role also has responsibility for meeting revenue and gross margin objectives for assigned product lines. This position also takes a leadership role in driving product strategy activities for the assigned product/service line, including writing business case reports, contributing to the annual business planning process and managing projects with all key stakeholders with autonomy.

Job Responsibilities

• Delivers results in line with the following key metrics/accountabilities:
    - New product/service revenue in the designated product line(s).
    - Product gross margin both at SKU and line levels.
    - Percentage of sales from new products/services introduced in a rolling 36-month window.
    - Timeliness of new product introductions measured against project introduction dates.
    - New product/service development costs.
• Supports and advances product strategy across a variety of platforms (print, web, mobile, etc.) consistent with corporate and departmental goals and objectives. Aligns product offerings with vertical market and sales segments.
• Leads projects independently from ideation through completion, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and contributors and taking ownership on action plans to drive projects to completion.
• Proactively researches and analyzes changing market needs to identify and capitalize on new product opportunities. Creates and presents detailed recommendations related to short and long-term product/service strategy as a result of research. 
• Performs SKU rationalization, and recommends purging obsolete or unnecessary products from the product lines.
• Independantly prepares documentation and support materials for product additions and changes, to include meeting minutes, authoring complete business case reports, Gantt charts, market research, price changes etc.
• Monitors and evaluates performance of existing product lines. Recommends new products and changes/enhancements based on customer and market needs, competition, pricing, margins, etc.
• Facilitates and/or conducts competitive review and analysis related to assigned portfolio; maintains deep knowledge of competitive landscape and makes recommendations for portfolio changes/additions to better serve clients and win against the competition.
• Represents Portfolio Management on cross-functional teams and coordinates product development and maintenance activities and communication with Editorial, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Corporate Sourcing, Technology Solutions, Managed Services, Consulting, and external vendors/service providers.
• Creates and contributes to product/service strategy plans to support the annual business planning process. Assists leaders in other activities tied to annual business planning (i.e. timelines, budget input, market need data, etc.)

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing or business related field.
• Associate’s degree and additional related experience may be considered in lieu of the Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• 5+ years in a product, brand or marketing related role.
• Experience managing a product development life cycle, including contribution to product strategy.
• Experience with the development and maintenance of technology or service related offerings is a plus.

Other Skills/Qualifications:

• Proven abilities in interviewing, conversational and presentation skills, analysis and written communication.
• Strong technical aptitude. 
• Be a self-starter with a natural sense of curiosity and resourcefulness.
• Quick study, able to handle complex data, issues and deadlines.
• Strong intellect with the ability to combine analytical reasoning and judgment.
• Working collaboratively with project teams.
• Demonstrates independence and solid ability to successfully lead and influence cross-functional project teams to achieve business goals.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with multiple stakeholders at various levels, to manage expectations and execute independently on outcomes to deliver results.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for extended periods of time. Occasional travel to offsite offices, customer sites and/or industry and training events may also be required, depending on assignment.