Product Manager (Project Management)

WHY JOIN THE AMES COMPANIES

We have amazing Benefits! Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Wellness, 401K, Holidays Employee Assistance Program, Vacation Days, Disability, and much more.

WHO WE ARE

The AMES Companies, headquartered in Lake Nona-Orlando, FL has a rich American history. The AMES story goes back to 1774, when Captain John Ames began making America's first shovels. AMES® brand is the third oldest consumer brand in the country, and its tools helped build America for more than two hundred years. You can learn more about our history here.

Our business lines include Home Organization, Lawn and Garden Tools, Outdoor Living, and Cleaning Tools. Our leading global brands are sold to homeowners and professionals involved in new construction, remodeling, and maintenance activities. To learn more about out business lines, visit our website: https://www.homebyames.com/en-us/.

WHO YOU ARE

The Product Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of products within consumer-packaged goods categories through all aspects of the product development lifecycle. The Product Manager will become a subject matter expert in the new product development stage gate process and work closely with stakeholders to provide guidance, next steps, deliverables, follow-up action items and mitigate risk with resolution and communicate to all parties.   This position oversees the progress of a portfolio of product development projects that contribute to the growth of the organization.

WHERE YOU WILL WORK

Our office is located at our headquarters in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for all aspects of project management for approved product development projects for consumer goods product lines you are responsible for overseeing.
• Create a competitive landscape for new consumer goods product ideas and complete opportunity assessments to determine the viability of an idea to move forward into the development stages.
• Develop cohesive project plan timelines with identifiable critical paths, task dependencies, and major milestones, and manages the plans and schedules, ensuring successful completion within scope, time, and quality parameters.
• Plan and coordinate cross-functional teams by leading through influence to insure project timelines are met.
• Collaborate with sales to identify opportunities in the market and gaps for your product category.
• Primary contact on all projects assigned and facilitates project updates, meetings, written communication and reports to cross functional team and stakeholders.
• Ensures time and resources are aligned with business priorities and objectives and escalates risks or resource constraints to upper management when necessary.
• Estimates, tracks and reports on financial needs of each project.
• Develops risk mitigation and contingency plans to address and manage problems effectively.
• Follow a phase-gate process for project execution.
• Evaluate product performance, recommend, and implement plans for improvement.
• Manage product end of life process for your category regularly and create long-term product road maps.
• Build performance via line extensions or discontinuing products as needed based on market dynamics and profitability.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3+ Years' experience in product development of manufactured and sourced consumer packaged goods
• 3+ Years' experience in project management preferably in consumer-packaged goods
• Proficient in MS Office products
• Windchill Project Link, Microsoft Project, or other project management software

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent project management skills
• Ability to collect information to complete business cases for easy decision making.
• Strong communication skills including listening, speaking, writing, and communicating to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Ability to foster teamwork and work effectively with others.
• Assess situations to determine their importance and make clear decisions which are in the best interest of the business.
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail and prioritization.
• The ability to manage a high volume of projects simultaneously.
• Become the expert in your product category.

CERTIFICATES/LICENSURE:

• PMP Certificate a positive 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel required

ENVIRONMENTAL/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.   

• This position is located primarily in an office environment. At times the associate is required to sit for long periods of time.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate may need the ability to lift and carry loads up to 50 pounds.
• Upon occasion, the associate may be exposed to a manufacturing environment and required to wear personal protective equipment.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

The AMES Companies will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Product Management