Junior Product Manager - Reusable Bags

Join to apply for the Junior Product Manager - Reusable Bags role at Solent Group.

Company Description: Solent Group works with a diverse portfolio of retailers and supplies bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking, and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent, we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our global customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

Full-time contract developing Reusable Bags across the UK and global market. As a Junior Product Manager, you will be immersed in current and upcoming trends and constantly look at how we at Solent can be first to market with amazing products! We want someone with an eye for creativity and an imagination that can develop a trend from an initial concept to in-store.

Working within the reusable bag division, your day-to-day will vary but will consist of sample management, competitive & trend analysis, and CPA management, all contributing to bringing fresh ideas to life! Think bold concepts, breakthrough products, and a team that’s all about creativity, collaboration, and getting things done.

Scope & Relationships: We encourage you to be creative and innovative, bringing fresh ideas to the division, for your own customers as well as for others across the team. The product division works collaboratively and often shares inspiration and potential opportunities for each other, with one of our core company values being ‘strength in unity’. As a Junior Product Manager, you will support the Product Manager/Senior Product Manager and National Account Managers (sales team) across multiple leading retailers to develop and deliver strong products for your customers that meet consumer needs. You will ultimately report into the Senior Product Manager who will help support and guide your development within the business.

You will work closely with the design team to bring your ideas to life, and over time will develop an understanding of your customer and what their product needs to look and feel like. You will also work with our incredible team in the Far East, who liaise directly with our suppliers, helping to source and quote for your requests. There are other teams within the division that will also help support you throughout the product life cycle, including technical, marketing, and logistics.

Requirements:

• Understand the market, product trends, and research, including talking to customers and visiting customer stores.
• Assess competitors’ products to identify important features and compare performance with equivalent company products.
• Conduct market research, identify and drive new product development and product upgrades against a plan.
• Deliver products and ranges that are targeted and exceed customer expectations.
• Manage cross-functional relationships with our overseas offices, maintaining our One Team culture at all times.
• Manage our critical paths and ensure communication is at the front of mind.
• Write clear briefs and communicate efficiently with our production teams globally.
• Be able to work with large amounts of detail.
• Arrange samples, costs, and presentations for customer meetings and present to customers/attend customer meetings.
• Develop and engage with the wider team on new product concepts. Approve product samples and assure quality standards through all stages of new product development.

About You:

• Product management and/or product development or brand management experience/skills desired.
• A willingness to learn and improve and have a ‘hands-on’ approach.
• Highly organised.
• Can show examples of efficient cross-functional team working and independently.
• Confident in communicating and developing relationships with internal and external sources.
• Strong time management and a proactive work ethic.
• Strong attention to detail and good collaboration, communication, and project management skills.
• Fluent use of Microsoft Office – Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Fluent use of online platforms for virtual meetings and presentations.
• Happy to travel to our office locations across the UK.
• Happy to travel for meetings/trade shows.

The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment and be passionate about product and trends in reusable bags – developing into own brand, licensed, and branded opportunities. We are looking for an individual who can multi-task, knows how to prioritise, learn quickly, and be open to a challenge.

In Turn We Offer:

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews.
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service.
• Extensive benefits program including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support, and many other benefits.
• Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff.
• Great learning and development and progression opportunities.
• Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets).
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave.
• Generous Company Sick Pay.
• Pension Scheme Contribution.
• Solent social events run by our in-house Social Team.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Dress down Fridays.
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay.