Product Development - Associate Product Manager

OVERVIEW

The Associate Product Manager plays a critical role in managing Fastco’s programs, aligning them with the company’s growth objectives. A resourceful self-starter, you are driven to achieve positive results and thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment. This role demands exceptional multitasking abilities and the capacity to manage diverse projects and guide team members from initiation to completion.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Management (55%)

• Oversee the TIRE portfolio and contribute to its success.
• Oversee ALLOY WHEEL product line portfolios.
• Analyze product portfolios using Excel to identify slow-moving items and collaborate with Marketing for special promotions.
• Support the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process.
• Conduct regular product line reviews to identify growth opportunities and recommend sales expansion strategies.
• Perform monthly competitive analyses and recommend pricing strategies to optimize inventory turns.
• Collaborate with Sales to gather feedback on product offerings and pricing.
• Establish and maintain relationships with manufacturers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers and participate in supplier meetings.
• Participate in supplier meetings.
• Partner with the Marketing Team to promote the right products.

Product Development (20%)

• Identify strategic partnership opportunities for new brands or product segments.
• Build trust-based relationships with suppliers.
• Recommend growth strategies and new segments to drive sales expansion.
• Collaborate with Product Development Engineers and Industrial Designers to offer quick and responsive new product offering for custom sales orders.

Data Management & Collaboration (20%)

• Define the needs for Data Input and Dashboards to the S&OP and Continuous Improvement team.
• Ensure system data accuracy and coordinate with technical services for information retrieval.
• Assist Product Managers with data entry and data manipulation tasks.
• Create and update products in the system using proprietary tools.
• Update product statuses and discontinue products as required.
• Collaborate with Sales on special programs to provide proposals and recommendations.

Market Research (5%)

• Conduct market studies to explore new customer segments, product opportunities, and partnerships.
• Research and develop new products and suppliers as needed.
• Gather feedback from consumers and Sales on potential product launches.
• Bring new products to market by analyzing requirements and preparing ROI analyses.

• Highly collaborative, able to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency.
• Analytical thinker with a solid understanding of product life cycles.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects while meeting business objectives and deadlines.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field (preferred but not mandatory).
• 1–3 years of experience in product management, project management, or a related discipline.
• Direct experience with TIRES in the automobile industry.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and product management tools is a plus.
• Proven experience working within a product management team.
• Demonstrated success in coordinating product development projects (preferred).
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
• A proven record of success in coordinating product development projects is a plus.
• This role requires seasonal travel to consumer events and tradeshows.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of SAP byDesign would be an asset. 

• Any combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Seasonal travel to consumer events and trade shows is required.
• Domestic and international travel may be necessary; a valid passport is required.