Product Manager in Hemel Hempstead

At Ontex, we are making everyday life easier across generations. Worldwide our 5,500 colleagues are taking pride in their work, guided by our values – Passion, Reliability, Integrity, Drive and Everyone. Every day they are developing, producing, and distributing affordable and sustainable baby, woman and adult personal care products. As a leading international provider of personal hygiene solutions for retailer brands and healthcare partners, founded in Belgium in 1979 and listed on Euronext Brussels, we believe that innovation should be accessible to everyone.

As we continue being 'Here for you’, we’re looking for a Product Manager to join our Commercial team.

What is the scope of the job?

The Product Manager is part of the product development, sales & marketing team. The role is to assist and support the business with developing and implementing product/brand strategies and objectives through the development and marketing of retail and healthcare brands. The role covers both the retail industry and the healthcare industry for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Main stakeholders and problem solving

You will be working closely with the Key account manager, managing clients from a product development and marketing perspective. Work closely with the Technical Team to ensure product and packaging compliance and to be able to provide product expertise to customers when necessary. Engage with the category manager, to analyze the market using generalist market data, distributor and consumer panels (Nielsen, Kantar, etc), qualitative and quantitative ad hoc research (consumer / shopper research, focus groups, panel tests etc.) as well as retailer’s EPOS sales data to develop clear understanding of market dynamics, unveil insights and spot opportunities and weaknesses. Interface with production and planning to ensure products are launched on time.

How complex are the situations I’m dealing with, and how do I solve problems?

Must be able to manage the mix of several product categories and a high number of SKUs. Internally, will have to project manage complex projects involving cross-functional (often virtual) teams to deliver the end result on time and to budget. Need to be able to work under pressure and know how to manage client crisis such as a product recall, product launches that are under severe time pressure and at minimal cost and complexity to the business. Need to understand and “respect” a coherence in the market which sometimes could be tough since could be in the opposite direction of some particular client requests, but be able to get the best fit for what we can produce. Need to be a recognised product champion understanding the product, the market and consumer demands.

Mission and Key Tasks

• Product life cycle Management
• Tactical planning for a product or a range of products with the customer, including concept presentations to customers.
• To support the customer with Brand Management expertise, including NPD and packaging design ideas.
• Implementation of product and or packaging specification changes and new product launches.
• Manage and process all packaging and product developments with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Support customers with the entire product life cycle to launch the right product on time.
• Using the systems and processes to communicate and cooperate with other departments both internally and externally to launch a product on time.
• Assists with the design and origination of packaging and printed materials; liaises with agencies, production sites and printers.
• Checks artwork and ensures deadlines are met.
• Responsible for implementing the packaging guidelines handbook.

Marketing

Assist customers with the development and execution of TTL marketing plans. Responsible for assisting customers with creating and maintaining all sales support material, including sample packs, POS and editorial content.

Background and Experience

• Ideally 1-3+ years in FMCG and/or Healthcare industry experience.
• Ideally 3-5+ years of experience in Product Management/Development and/or Packaging Project Management and marketing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, Teams, Excel etc.
• Organised and structured.
• Confidence in presenting. This is a customer facing role and requires interaction and presentations to the customer either as part of a team or stand alone.
• A sense of humor and the ability to work as part of a small but dynamic and dedicated team is essential.
• High level of business acumen & commercially aware of the decisions taken and the impact they could have.
• Bright enough to handle Business Strategy, to understand the “bigger picture” and be able to implement winning action plans.
• Strong interpersonal skills - Needs to be able to build and maintain relationships both internally with Ontex UK, the wider Ontex family and with Ontex’s clients.
• Diplomacy – be able to handle apparent conflicting interests.
• Influencing skills – will need to manage people and get buy in without direct authority.
• Accuracy and getting it right first time are absolutely essential.
• Keep in touch with all market both on price and product to keep customers abreast of latest developments.
• Become an acknowledged expert on products, categories and the grocery and healthcare environment.
• Assists with any ad hoc projects assigned by management.
• Experience in hygienic disposables markets would be an advantage.
• Experience in the private label/own brand would be an advantage.

Thank you for your interest in working with Ontex UK. We have a PSL who will be supporting us if needed. We do not pay fees or acknowledge any CV’s supplied to Ontex UK unless you have been briefed on the role by a member of HR. If you're passionate about the role and believe you would be a great fit, we'd love to hear from you. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact our HR department at fabrizio.gagliardo@ontexglobal.com.