Product Manager II

This role will be based out of our Maryville, TN headquarters.

Since 1852 Smith & Wesson has empowered Americans with the freedom, equality, and security promised by the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. It is this sense of safety and security that frees us to pursue our goals and dreams, define our future and fulfill the promise of America.

BENEFITS

• Health, Dental & Vision

• Prescription Drug Coverage

• Employee Assistance Program

• Group Life Insurance

• Disability Insurance

• Investment 401K Plan & Profit Sharing

• Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Paid Vacation, Holidays & Winter Shutdown

• Tuition Assistance Program

• Employee Product Discounts

• Service Awards

Scope: Under the direct supervision of the Director of Product Innovation, the Product Manager will focus on maintaining, innovating, and growing our firearm and firearms accessories business. The ideal candidate will leverage experience in the shooting space to assess and communicate consumer needs and desires. This is a highly collaborative role that will work with marketing, sales, engineering, procurement and operations.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive product roadmaps and strategies.

• Conduct in depth market research and analysis, including consumer insights, to identify trends, opportunities and customer needs to inform product decisions.

• Drive new product development initiatives from concept to commercialization, including product specifications, feature prioritization, and pricing strategies.

• Collaborate with product engineering, production, brand management and sales to bring new products to market that meet customer needs and company objectives.

• Champion the voice of the customer throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Manage product lifecycle including pricing and SKU management.

• Support the sales and marketing teams with product knowledge and training materials.

• Analyze product performance metrics and KPIs to track progress against goals and drive data-driven product decision.

• Product/prototype testing, feature and function documentation.

• Lead the stage gate product development process.

• Assist in copywriting and instruction manual writing and review.

• Assist with trade shows as needed.

• Mentor and coach junior / new team members, providing guidance and support as needed.

• Work safely as well as identify and report any safety hazards immediately.

• Maintain good housekeeping in personal area and all common areas.

• Other duties as assigned Regular attendance (as defined in our policies) is required.

NOTE: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. The duties and responsibilities listed above may be changed or supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, engineering, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• Five plus years of experience in product management or related role, preferably in the outdoor sports or hunting industry, with a proven track record of success in bringing products to market.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and market trends.

• Deep understanding of the outdoor sports and hunting industry, including market dynamics, trends, and customer preferences.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Passion for outdoor sports and hunting activities.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive consensus.

• Travel up to 25% required.

Competencies and Skills:

• Experience with MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint Ability to organize large amounts of data in a logical manner

• Must have strong command of the English language, in both verbal and written communications.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (including Excel and PowerPoint), spreadsheets, query and database skills.

Training Requirements:

• Complete all necessary training as required by assigned department and position. Participate in and follow all company initiatives. Participate in continuous improvement projects (Kaizen events, 5S, etc.).

Physical Demands:

• Works in an office environment. Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time. Able to lift and move up to 25 pounds occasionally. Ability to safely test firearms for competitor evaluation and product qualification.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment and Personal Protective Equipment:

Safety glasses with side shields and hearing protection is required when on factory floor. The use of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required when a job task(s) is being completed in or around your assigned department or in another department, this includes safety eyewear, hearing protection, and safety footwear. All employees are required to apply ergonomic principles to all job tasks.

Normal office environment conditions. Within the Smith & Wesson manufacturing facility, employees may be exposed to manufacturing noise, airborne liquid chemicals, fine particulate dust, ambient temperatures, and industrial lighting. Work environment is similar to most manufacturing operations. May be exposed to excessive noise, temperatures, hazards associated with working around moving machinery, work in confined quarters, exposure to vibrations and shop lighting.

Revised: 3/29/2024

This role will be based out of our Maryville, TN headquarters.

Under the direct supervision of the Sr. Manager of New Products, the Product Manager will focus on maintaining, innovating, and growing our handgun business. The ideal candidate will leverage experience in the shooting space to assess and communicate consumer needs and desires. This is a highly collaborative role that will work with Marketing, Sales, Engineering, Procurement and Operations.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Product/prototype testing, feature and function documentation

• Responsible for developing the future product roadmap for selected product category

• Lead the stage gate product development process

• Market research and analysis of products and categories

• Assist in coordination of product development procedure

• Manage new product ideas/concepts and catalog

• Product design input analysis

• Line reviews and end consumer perception of product offerings

• Coordinate and collaborate with sales and marketing on product launches to include timing, initial forecasting, market positioning and marketing launch tactics

• Assist in copywriting, instruction manual writing

• Assist with trade shows as needed

• Assist sales department with product information and misc. supporting materials and projects

• Work safely as well as identify and report any safety hazards immediately

• Maintain good housekeeping in personal area and all common areas

• Other duties as assigned

• Regular attendance (as defined in our policies) is required

NOTE: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. The duties and responsibilities listed above may be changed or supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience and Education

• Preferred 4-year degree in business, marketing or related field

• Minimum 5-8 years of experience in the shooting, hunting, reloading industry preferred, but knowledge of the industry is required

• Proficiency in blueprint reading required

• Resident Gunsmithing degree highly preferred

• Background in ATF/FFL compliance preferred

• Understanding of consumer psychology preferred

• Passion for hunting and shooting sports preferred

• Travel up to 25% required

Competencies and Skills

• Experience with MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Ability to organize large amounts of data in a logical manner

Language Skills

• Must have strong command of the English language, in both verbal and written communications.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (including Excel and PowerPoint), spreadsheets, query and database skills.

Training Requirements:

• Complete all necessary training as required by assigned department and position.

• Participate in and follow all company initiatives.

• Participate in continuous improvement projects (Kaizen events, 5S, etc.).

Physical Demands:

• Works in an office environment.

• Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time.

• Able to lift and move up to 25 pounds occasionally.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Safety glasses with side shields and hearing protection is required when on factory floor.

• The use of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required when a job task(s) is being completed in or around your assigned department or in another department, this includes safety eyewear, hearing protection, and safety footwear.

• All employees are required to apply ergonomic principles to all job tasks.

Work Environment:

• Normal office environment conditions.

• Within the Smith & Wesson manufacturing facility, employees may be exposed to manufacturing noise, airborne liquid chemicals, fine particulate dust, ambient temperatures, and industrial lighting.

• Work environment is similar to most manufacturing operations. May be exposed to excessive noise, temperatures, hazards associated with working around moving machinery, work in confined quarters, exposure to vibrations and shop lighting.

Revised:

10/12/21

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled