PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - CREATIVE & DESIGN

$85,000 - $100,000/Yr

Veritiv - Scottsdale, AZ

Full-time - Mid Level

Scottsdale, AZ

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

At Veritiv, we are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Product Development Manager to take a leadership role in brand-related kitting and packaging concepting and development projects. This position is crucial in supporting both the company and our customers' strategic business goals. The Product Development Manager will be expected to bring thought leadership to projects, identify and present opportunities, and collaborate with customers and functional partners to work through projects from concept to completion. This role requires a strong understanding of design principles, brand strategy, and the ability to develop design-driven solutions that address business opportunities. The successful candidate will conduct creative sessions with customers and team members to kick off new initiatives and guide the creative process. Staying on top of trends, industry standards, and technological developments is essential to ensure that marketplace trends are reflected in the work produced. The Product Development Manager will design and present quality solutions on time and within budget, ensuring that all projects align with the overall business strategy. Interpreting customer feedback and offering appropriate solutions will be a key part of the role, as will preparing for large upcoming projects and changes in workload with team members, managers, and customers to prioritize efforts effectively. Additionally, the Product Development Manager will work with functional and cross-functional partners to help develop strategy and collaborate with external customer teams to ensure project success. Assessing incoming creative requests, developing art direction, reviewing and approving production-ready art, and managing the creative workflow process are also critical responsibilities. Maintaining relationships with current customers while building relationships with new ones will be vital for the success of this role.

Responsibilities

• Develop design-driven solutions to solve for business opportunities.
• Conduct creative sessions with customers and/or team members to kick off new initiatives and guide the creative process.
• Stay on top of trends, industry and technology standards and developments to ensure marketplace trends reflect in work.
• Design and present quality solutions on time, within budget, and ensure projects are aligned to business strategy.
• Interpret customer feedback and offer appropriate solutions.
• Prepare for large upcoming projects and changes in workload with team members, managers and customers to prioritize efforts.
• Work with functional and cross-functional partners to help develop strategy and work with external customer teams to ensure project success.
• Assess incoming creative requests, develop art direction and review/approve production-ready art, manage creative workflow process.
• Maintain relationships with current customers and build relationships with new ones.

Requirements

• 5-10 years of related job experience.
• Kitting and packaging knowledge with experience in retail/consumer products/packaged goods companies, preferred.
• Strong understanding of brand strategy, design principles, retail & e-commerce design, packaging design, and retail display and fixture design.
• Experience in product development or design.
• Understanding of industrial design, packaging engineering, and print production.
• Ability to understand a business opportunity and how to align design-driven solutions to it.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, work under pressure, and adapt to sudden changes in the work environment.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently.
• Excellent verbal, written, people, and diplomacy skills are required.
• Experienced in providing leadership to others regarding work-related systems, processes, and challenges.
• Experience of interpreting strategy and policy in order to set and deliver objectives.
• Experience with Salesforce.com or other CRM is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong customer service skills (friendly, courteous and helpful).
• Strong planning and organization skills are required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Salesforce.com or other CRM is preferred.

Benefits

• Engaging and inclusive culture with employee lead Employee Resource Groups, Veritiv Cultural Alliance, recognition platform, etc.
• Extensive training opportunities, professional development programs, career pathing, and mentorship opportunities.
• Collaborative atmosphere with our customers and suppliers to create healthier, safer and more sustainable communities through our responsible operations and innovative solutions.
• Healthcare benefits and 401k with match start date of hire, paid time off and parental bonding time, tuition reimbursement, annual Profit-Sharing Program and much more!