Sr. Director, Product Development and Design

Otter Products is hiring for a Sr. Director of Product Development and Design to join our team in Fort Collins, CO.

 

The Sr. Director, Product Development and Design leads a team of professionals responsible for the management of all products within the Otter Products portfolio. In this role, you will own the short and long-term strategy for Product Development and Industrial Design. This includes planning and execution of the complete product portfolio through the entire product lifecycle for one or more categories. You will have ultimate accountable for ensuring the right product portfolio is established to enable Otter to meet strategic goals and growth targets. The Sr. Director, Product Development works closely with Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure cross-functional alignment, collaborate on goals, and execute on new product development and launch. We are seeking a leader with a passion for design and the ability to create a compelling vision of the future of Otter Products’ visual brand language.

 

This is a senior people leader role and will be responsible for making hiring decisions, career development, and performance management for the team.

At Otter Products, we protect what’s important. From our founder’s garage in 1998 to the global technology leader we are today, Otter Products continues to drive growth through innovation and sense of purpose. Through our industry-leading brands – OtterBox and OtterCares – we provide our partners and customers the number one selling and most trusted products in our categories. Our commitment to excellence and our philanthropic spirit is the foundation on which we foster our partner relationships, allowing us to grow and to give - together. By way of our charitable arm, the OtterCares Foundation, we support our communities and invest in the future through education that inspires kids to change the world. Our founder’s core values are still at the heart of everything we do. We measure our success not just by business results, but by our ability to give back to our communities and strengthen opportunities for all. To learn more, visit otterproducts.com

• →Leadership responsibility for all aspects of the product portfolio, including product design, for given category or categories, specifically ensuring Otter Products is positioned to win in all relevant consumer and commercial market segments and geographies.
• →Directs Product Development Management of given category or categories, including:
  • →Owning the operational and strategic goals for the team.
  • →Providing category insights and proposals to the business by analyzing market and consumer data.
  • →Identifying emerging market trends to support 1–3-year strategic product and design objectives.
  • →Identifying innovation opportunities from consumer/end user and customer insights
  • →Leading competitive analysis and developing plans to beat the competition in market.
  • →Partnering with the Marketing Team to develop product narratives/stories and marketing strategies that will connect with consumers/end users’ hearts and minds.
  • →Overseeing development of portfolio-level business cases and investment recommendations to senior leadership.
  • →Responsibility for the successful implementation/execution of portfolio plans within the category or categories.
  • →Ensuring all new launches of new products and/or series across each region meet launch expectations and necessary time to market.
  • →Successfully managing the product roadmap and design, color and material/finish roadmap by defining optimal strategies with the right pricing, costs, timing, brand, design and features.
  • →Functions as a central resource within the organization as products move through their lifecycle.
• →Partner and collaborate with Merchandising Sales, Marketing and Engineering to align on goals and drive strategic initiatives.
• →Partner with global senior leaders to understand region-specific needs and opportunities to shape global product strategy for given category or categories.
• →Partner with Global Partner Management team to ensure OEM insights and partnership opportunities are integrated into portfolio strategy.
• →Establish and track annual goals and metrics for the Product Team and monitor monthly to ensure expectations are being met; course correct as necessary through active performance management.
• →Actively participate in and contribute as a product category owner in Product Management Reviews per the IBP process.
• →Oversee the development of product training content including the development and delivery of ‘train-the-trainers’, to effectively communicate product value and features.
• →Establish and maintain the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) strategy, ensuring alignment with market trends, cost structures, and competitive positioning to drive profitability and brand consistency.
• →Support and maintain a positive safety culture by being an active leader in all safety program initiatives
• →Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in marketing, business, or related field preferred. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of twelve years of product management and/or product marketing experience including conceiving, developing, and driving innovative products and portfolios is required.
• Minimum of two years in a director (and/or up) level role required.
• Previous experience managing P&L is required.

Otter Products, LLC is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act and in accordance with all other applicable federal, state and local laws.

Variable Incentive Program - Short Term Incentive - Eligible for Director Level Incentive Opportunity, Otter Products offers a robust benefits package to eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, basic life, voluntary life, long-term and short-term disability, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and 401(k) retirement plan. Additionally, for eligible employees, we offer accrued paid time off based on seniority, volunteer time off, parental leave, bereavement leave, company holidays, and years of service awards. Check out otterproducts.com/careers/why for more info.