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 Job Functions:New Product DevelopmentAttend kick-off meetings with teams to understand product briefs and goals for the 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 the development process through Asana product management toolLead 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 costingHelp facilitate conversations between Engineers and Merchandisers/Engineers/Factory where necessaryCompile all necessary documentation to send to Merchandisers/Vendor to ensure product development runs smoothly with expectations set forth upon initial request for with Merchandisers/Vendors throughout development (weekly calls email) to ensure that expectations for execution are being met by the suppliersInitiate CMF for all productsReviews sampling alongside Engineer to align on feedback to merchandiser/vendor and the customerProduct expert --If/when issues arise identify options to push sample/project forwardProactively addresses quality concerns with Compliance Lead and Quality Engineer to ensure that insights are closely with DSM/PMs/ Product Q&C on projects as timelines are typically acceleratedItem Setup and data base managementCoordinate between sales and demand planning to ensure POs are written in a timely mannerProactively engage with sales team if delays are occurring with development/fulfillment so there is time to approach the customerComplete customer specific forms (varies by account) with all relevant product informationField/respond to customer service questions from product inventory in officeManages all sample shipments to customer printer vendor etcTakes photos for own records and store/email accordingly and save/email tracking information to as the main point of contact for Sales/Graphics and Printers/VendorsDiscusses packaging type early on in product development cycle to kickoff die line developmentCoordinate shipment of physical product to the printer for dieline creation. Share dieline to Sales Team or Graphic Designer for packaging artwork creationObtain initial quotes and own costing through packaging Compliance Associate to track Drop-Test Confirmation and product testing assists factory as needed with failuresOwn sending print proof samples to customer or vendors and review product Product related information on packaging routing before sending to supplier for proofsRequirementsEducation: Bachelors degree :24 years of experience in product management category management merchandisingsourcing or related and Abilities:Strong analytical and problem-solving organizational and time-management to manage multiple projects and communication and presentation -oriented with the ability to understand both detailed information and overallbusiness Experience:Basic understanding of product development and production working with large retail customers such as Walmart Costco Target Williams-Sonoma is a with cost analysis and supplier working with overseas business partners and Knowledge:Windows MS Office SAP QlikView PPM Robohead NPD (or similar tools).