Seattle - Category Manager

Position Overview: The Category Manager is a hybrid position, requiring the candidate to be in the office 2-3 days a week. The specific number of hours in the office will depend on ongoing projects, team meetings, and necessary sample reviews or shipping requirements. Essential Job Functions: New Product Development Attend kick-off meetings with teams to understand product briefs and goals for the customer. Owner of the entire lifecycle of the product, --keeping an eye on identified key features throughout the entire process and providing value-add feedback to Sales, Design and ENG teams. Manage the development process through Asana product management tool Lead weekly Private Label status meetings (2-3 a week) Address/callout product features/functionality that you foresee hitting potential roadblocks and how we can proactively address based on supplier capability, cost, etc. Own costing Help facilitate conversations between Engineers and Merchandisers/Engineers/Factory where necessary Compile all necessary documentation to send to Merchandisers/Vendor to ensure product development runs smoothly with expectations set forth upon initial request for development. Communicate with Merchandisers/Vendors throughout development (weekly calls, email) to ensure that expectations for execution are being met by the suppliers Initiate CMF for all products Reviews sampling alongside Engineer to align on feedback to merchandiser/vendor and the customer Product expert --If/when issues arise, identify options to push sample/project forward Proactively addresses quality concerns with Compliance Lead and Quality Engineer to ensure that insights are gathered. Partner closely with DSM/PM’s/ Product Q&C on projects as timelines are typically accelerated Item Setup and data base management Coordinate between sales and demand planning to ensure POs are written in a timely manner Proactively engage with sales team if delays are occurring with development/fulfillment, so there is time to approach the customer Complete customer specific forms (varies by account) with all relevant product information Field/respond to customer service questions from customers. Maintains product inventory in office Manages all sample shipments to customer, printer, vendor, etc… Takes photos, for own records and store/email accordingly, and save/email tracking information to recipients. Packaging Acts as the main point of contact for Sales/Graphics and Printers/Vendors Discusses packaging type early on in product development cycle to kickoff die line development Coordinate shipment of physical product to the printer for dieline creation. Share dieline to Sales Team or Graphic Designer for packaging artwork creation Obtain initial quotes and own costing through packaging development. Supports Compliance Associate to track Drop-Test Confirmation and product testing, assists factory as needed with failures Own sending print proof samples to customer or vendors, and review product fit. Reviews Product related information on packaging routing before sending to supplier for proofs Requirements Education: Bachelor’s degree required.Experience:2–4 years of experience in product management, category management, merchandising,sourcing, or related field. Skills and Abilities: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent organizational and time-management abilities. Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines. Effective communication and presentation skills. Detail-oriented with the ability to understand both detailed information and overallbusiness objectives. Preferred Experience: Basic understanding of product development and production timelines. Experience working with large retail customers such as Walmart, Costco, Target, Williams-Sonoma is a plus. Familiarity with cost analysis and supplier coordination. Experience working with overseas business partners and factories. Systems Knowledge:Windows, MS Office, SAP, QlikView, PPM, Robohead, NPD (or similar tools).