Community Development Director Jobs in Middletown, CT

**WHO IS DESIGN GROUP?
** Design Group Americas is one of the U.S. leaders of gift packaging, crafts, décor, and creative play products with a portfolio of over 50 national brands, sold nationwide and around the globe in the mass, middle and specialty markets. We are proud to serve the best and biggest retailers in the market like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and JoAnn Stores PLUS over 7,000 independent specialty retailers.

Design Group is recruiting for a Product Manager in our Memphis, TN **** location. This position reports to the Product Development Director.

**WHAT WILL I DO IN THIS ROLE?
**

• Develop business and product line strategy.
• Present business strategy and industry trends to internal business partners.
• Define product line rationalization and road map.
• Understand consumers, retailers, and competition.
• Lead and participate in qualitative, quantitative and community research.
• Partner with Sales team for strategy development and buyer presentations.
• Manage product lifecycle and development including, but not limited to, identifying product mix, leading brainstorm sessions, developing and managing the schedule, placement strategies, creating product line concepts, assigning verses, and testing requirements.
• Work closely with the Sales and Design teams to define and understand customer needs.
• Works with Design and Sales to create and deliver presentations to customers.
• Works directly with Asia office and suppliers to develop new products and programs, ensuring products meet cost, quality, and innovation requirements.
• Develop and manage line lists.
• Implement packaging development.
• Create product specifications for both new development and final production.
• Involved in quoting, costing, margin management, and setting MSRPs.
• Forecast P&L, product line sales, and unit volume.
• Analyze POS data, identify opportunities, and present and implement business objectives.
• Implement and manage performance metrics for categories and items.
• Drive early identification of challenges/issues, assess, and evaluate potential alternatives, and develop appropriate recommendations for resolution.
• Manage and coordinate with Sales, Design, and Suppliers on all updates/revisions to product/packaging/labeling specifications while monitoring the financial impact of these changes; responsible for the integrity of the specification prior to releasing to suppliers.
• Oversee the technical aspects of projects and assist in the development of point-of-purchase product displays and planograms.
• Work with Design on artwork approvals from concept through final mechanical release.
• Develop and implement in-store merchandising and signage.
• Facilitate the approval of pre-production samples, through all necessary departments.
• Identify emerging technologies and trends and provide input for new product ideas and customized programs.
• Identify new packaging concepts and substrates.
• Control purchase price variance through product design recommendations, manufacturing process discussions, and buying quantities that meet inventory objectives.
• Evaluate completed projects and recommend improvements/modifications that need to be implemented.
• Help to identify licenses, artists, trends, and archive product to be used within the category/brand.
• Manage all licensing activities related to category/brand.
• Responsible for supporting profitable revenue growth through continuous improvement.

**WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED?
**

• Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing or similar discipline or equivalent level of on-the-job-training.
• 5-7 years of product development experience in the consumer products industry.
• Proven ability to develop product lines from concept through product launch (ideally in related consumer goods category).
• Creative and solution-driven with the ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands.
• Customer facing experience with strong presentation abilities, including written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate ideas within a highly collaborative product development process including giving and receiving feedback.
• Must be deadline conscious and detail oriented with the ability to self-direct priorities.
• Must have the ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities and deliverables.
• Ability to determine new market opportunities.
• Experience working internationally, China specifically.
• Must work well under pressure and in a fast-paced environment, especially in peak season.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Willing to travel to buying office, production facilities, and trend trips as needed.

**WHAT DOES DESIGN GROUP OFFER ME?
** We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package including medical insurance and 401k with matching program as well as a paid time off plan including family leave options. Design Group believes in a fun, flexible work environment that allows your creativity to flourish and grow.

Required Skills

Required Experience

Qualifications:

• Ability to work on multiple projects or tasks at once.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Proactive and innovative problem solver.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced environment.
• Team player with the ability to interact with all members of project team, subcontractors, field staff, client, etc.
• Clear and effective communicator.