Associate Category Manager Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Associate Product Manager - Outdoor Portfolio

About Springs

Springs Window Fashions has been a leader in custom window treatments since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin, we employ more than 6,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia. Our products are sold under industry-leading brands including Bali, Graber, SunSetter, and Mecho through major retailers, dealer networks, designer showrooms, and commercial channels.

Position Summary

The Associate Product Manager for the Outdoor Portfolio supports the development and execution of product strategies that drive profitable growth, market differentiation, and customer value across the Outdoor portfolio, including the SunSetter brand. Working closely with Product Management, Marketing, Engineering, Sales, Operations, and supplier partners, this role helps identify consumer needs, evaluate market opportunities, and bring new products and enhancements to market.

This role provides hands-on experience across product strategy, portfolio management, innovation, and cross-functional leadership while supporting the full product lifecycle-from opportunity identification and business case development through launch and continuous improvement. The Associate Product Manager will help translate market trends, consumer insights, and strategic priorities into actionable business plans that support the continued growth of Springs Window Fashions' outdoor business.

This position is ideal for a high-potential product professional who is passionate about consumer products, innovation, and outdoor living solutions, and is looking to build the skills and experience necessary to advance into a Product Manager role.

Key Responsibilities

Support Product Business Performance

• Support the Outdoor living portfolio to achieve revenue, margin, and profitability goals.
• Monitor business performance and identify growth, pricing, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Assist in building business cases for new products and product enhancements.

Support Portfolio & Roadmap Strategy

• Contribute to product roadmaps and innovation plans for SunSetter and Outdoor living categories.
• Analyze market trends, competition, and consumer needs to identify growth opportunities.
• Assist in prioritizing product investments and lifecycle decisions.

Drive Cross-Functional Execution

• Partner with Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and Customer Care on product initiatives.
• Support New Product Development projects from concept through launch.
• Help manage timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder alignment.

Develop Category Expertise

• Build expertise in the SunSetter brand, outdoor living market, consumer trends, and dealer channels.
• Participate in customer visits, trade shows, supplier meetings, and market research activities.
• Demonstrate increasing ownership and leadership with a clear path to Product Manager.

Success Metrics

• Product line revenue and margin performance.
• Successful execution of new product launches and enhancements.
• Achievement of project milestones, timelines, and quality objectives.
• Identification of cost-reduction and value-improvement opportunities.
• Customer and dealer satisfaction improvements.
• Demonstrated growth in product ownership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in product management, product marketing, sales, engineering, business analysis, or related functions.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and make business recommendations.
• Experience supporting consumer products, home improvement products, outdoor living products, or comparable durable goods preferred.
• Experience participating in New Product Development (NPD) projects and cross-functional teams preferred.
• Exposure to dealer, channel, or direct-to-consumer business models preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Business & Financial Acumen

• Understand key product line performance metrics including revenue, margin, pricing, cost, mix, inventory, and quality.
• Use data to identify opportunities for profitable growth and cost optimization.
• Develop an understanding of P&L drivers and product lifecycle economics.

Strategic Thinking

• Contribute to product portfolio planning and long-range category strategies.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and consumer needs to identify growth opportunities.
• Support roadmap development for existing products and future outdoor living innovations.
• Anticipate evolving customer, dealer, and channel needs.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead smaller projects and workstreams while supporting larger strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively across Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Customer Care, and Sourcing.
• Build alignment among stakeholders through strong communication and data-driven recommendations.
• Demonstrate increasing ownership and leadership across product initiatives.

Customer & Market Orientation

• Develop a deep understanding of dealers, consumers, and channel partners.
• Participate in Voice of Customer (VOC) activities, market research, and competitive analysis.
• Translate customer and market insights into actionable product recommendations.

Analytical & Technical Aptitude

• Understand product specifications, manufacturing considerations, and customer requirements.
• Analyze market, customer, and business data to support product decisions.
• Ability to learn product features and effectively communicate customer benefits.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates an ownership mindset and accountability for results.
• Self-motivated with strong learning agility and intellectual curiosity.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communicator capable of influencing without authority.
• High potential candidate with demonstrated capability to grow into a Product Manager role.

How We Work to Deliver a Best Experience: Our Culture

• Our Core Value: We do the right thing, always
• Our Seven Cultural Behaviors
  • Empowerment - We trust our people.
  • Ownership - We take 100% responsibility for our roles actions, and results.
  • Leadership - We all lead by example and talk direct with respect (DWR).
  • One Team - We are One Springs Team.
  • Customer First - We consider our customers' needs before every decision.
  • Continuous Innovation - We are constantly learning, innovating, and improving.
  • Speed - We define priorities and operate with a sense of urgency and agility.

This posting is anticipated to remain open until a qualified candidate is hired.