Associate Product Manager

Michaels•Irving, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Product Manager will actively contribute to the development and management of our product portfolio, working closely with the Product Development Manager to bring innovative products to market. This role requires a blend of analytical thinking, strong communication, and project management skills, with an ownership over defined product categories. The Associate Product Manager will play a key role in developing product assortment, making strategic product decisions and ensuring seamless execution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
2-4 years of experience in product development, product management, private brand management, merchandising, or a related analytical/project-oriented role.
Demonstrated ability to conduct market research and analyze data to inform product decisions.
Proven project management skills, with experience managing tasks and timelines for small to medium-sized projects.
Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel and PowerPoint).
Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Design, or a related field.
Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
Familiarity with Agile product development methodologies.
Experience contributing to branding or packaging development.
A strong passion for retail or arts & crafts industries.

Responsibilities

Take ownership of specific smaller product categories, product features, or components of larger product lines, managing their lifecycle from concept to launch under guidance.
Conduct in-depth market research, competitive analysis, and consumer insights gathering to identify opportunities and inform product decisions for assigned areas.
Actively develop product assortment strategies by analyzing market data, sales performance, and customer feedback for designated categories.
Propose new product ideas or enhancements based on insights and market trends.
Drive research into emerging trends, technologies, and consumer preferences, translating findings into actionable product concepts.
Assist in defining detailed product requirements, user stories, and specifications for new products or features.
Work directly with trend, design, product integrity and merchandising teams to ensure product development aligns with vision and specifications.
Collaborate with branding and packaging teams to ensure branding and packaging accurately reflect product value propositions and target audience.
Lead the project management of specific product initiatives or features, including timeline management, resource coordination, and stakeholder communication.
Proactively identify and address potential project risks and challenges.
Consult Product Development Manager as needed.
Ensure all product launches are well-coordinated and executed effectively across internal teams.
Serve as a key point of contact for assigned projects, facilitating communication and alignment between various departments (e.g., Trend & Design, Merchant, Sourcing, Product Integrity, Michaels Global Sourcing Offices, Packaging).
Present project updates and gather feedback from cross-functional teams.
Monitor product performance post-launch, gathering data and insights to identify areas for improvement or future iterations.
Prepare regular reports on product success metrics and market trends for management.