Targus: Vice President Product Management and Marketing

Targus pioneered the notebook computer carrying case in 1983 and today is the leading global provider of mobile computing solutions. Through offices in more than 30 geographies and sales in more than 100 countries, the Company designs and markets a broad range of notebook carrying cases and accessories for today's mobile computing user. With significant growth occurring, a leader of the product management and marketing of its case goods business is being recruited. Desired background is that of someone with strong leadership over teams of marketing and product development/management, consumer packaged goods classical marketing well-branded company experience and a proven process-oriented mentor of a strong team. Interaction with customers and internal design and sales teams will be commonplace and the ideal candidate should have strong successes in those areas.

Job Description: VP SOFT GOODS Product Management and Marketing

Summary Description:

Leads Soft Goods Product Development team. This team is accountable for delivering a robust new product pipeline that profitably increases Targus’ market share which is already number one in the industry. Title will depend on level of experience candidate brings to the position.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead the development of a 3 year strategic product plan that keeps Targus in a leadership position.
2. Lead the development of the Annual Marketing Plan.
3. Support development of Advertising and Communication strategies.
4. Insure proper product features, price and positioning of the soft goods product line.
5. Lead the development of packaging structure and graphics as well as promotional packaging and merchandising support.
6. Lead new product development activities on a day to day basis and ensure the development of new products. The level of product development may range from “off the shelf” to OEM depending upon the scope of the project.
7. Develop customer level strategic marketing plans to drive the development of new products and ensure that new product initiatives deliver added value to Targus and the market place overall.
8. Ensure that the interface between marketing, sales, design, suppliers, and customers is smooth and productive, with the result that consumers and customers are completely satisfied with the products offered by Targus.
9. Develop market research plans to ensure that key decisions are based on sound consumer insights and marketplace facts.
10. Manage effective working relationships with Design & Operations (sourcing) to ensure new products are introduced on time, on budget and meet specifications.
11. Prepare and present products and marketing programs, both written and verbal, to Management Staff, and other interested parties as required.
12. Lead development of Brand and Product selling stories for use in sales presentations.
13. Lead account teams in continuous planning efforts and analysis by providing regular updates to account planning documents, monitoring plan-o-gram updates and unit performance. Work closely with sales managers to prepare for effective line reviews and plan-o-gram modifications to ensure solid sell through and profitability of Targus SKUs.
14. Effectively manage product life cycles from concept to phase out. This includes following the various corporate processes for New Product Development, Packaging and Item Inactivation/Phase Out.
15. Assist Marketing Team (and its members) in any other efforts as needed.

Other Skills:
• Leadership skills that support the Company Mission and Values, including the ability to effectively involve, coach and train others.
• Ability to provide a marketing vision and strategic direction for both existing and new products, and to convert these into effective account level plans/programs.
• Ability to excel in a cross-functional team environment.
• Sound knowledge and experience in the field of consumer marketing.
• Sound knowledge and experience in product development, especially sourced products; understanding FOB to landed cost structure.
• Ability to perform financial and statistical analysis and translate in to an action plan.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good computer skills, especially spreadsheet (excel) abilities as well as powerpoint.
• High moral and ethical standards.
• Have a sense of urgency, be a self-starter and operate with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to be a team player by taking initiative to assist team mates as needed to spread the workload and to meet deadlines.
• Willingness/ability to work over time to complete projects as needed.

Education Requirements:
• Ideal candidate will possess a College Degree related to consumer marketing; graduate business degree also highly desirable.

Experience Requirements:
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in marketing brand management, preferably in consumer goods, dealing with Retail and Commercial channels, including the successful development and launch of new products.

Other Qualifications and Physical Requirements:
• Ability to deal with multiple priorities within a time sensitive environment.
• This position will require approximately 10% travel, including international travel.

Reporting Relationship:
• Reports to the Senior VP of Sales and Marketing.

Experience:
Extremely strong background in Consumer Packaged Goods classical markeing and product management from well-recognized brands in soft goods products. Proven leadership over teams, process driven, strong interface at all levels. This is an outstanding key leadership position with the main product lines for Targus, number one in the business case industry.

Disclaimer:

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employee(s) within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

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Location: Anaheim, CA