Product Development Manager

Higher Standards, was created to provide true connoisseurs with the tools they need for the most elevated smoking experience, from premium care and maintenance products that ensure the best flavor from your material, to heavy-duty USA-made glass and sought after limited edition collaborations like the Higher Standards x Blazer Big Shot Torch.

Our flagship store in New York City’s famed Chelsea Market is changing the face of retail and branding in the cannabis industry. The Higher Standards store is the first-of-its-kind concept shop, a modern, contemporary take on an upscale, luxury smoke shop. Our brand is committed to de-stigmatizing and elevating the connoisseur's experience.

We are seeking an exceptional Product Development Manager to join the Higher Standards team at our headquarters in Boca Raton, FL and help us build an incredible brand. We are looking for a driven, enthusiastic, creative professional with a tremendous work ethic.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, including healthcare and 401k with match, plus perks like a gym membership, super healthy snacks made fresh daily, and more. We believe in promoting from within, and allowing driven team members the ability to earn progressive roles and responsibilities.

Role:

The Product Development Manager plays a pivotal role in the success of Higher Standards. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Product Development Manager is responsible for managing the supply chain and product roadmap for the Higher Standards brand and retail concept. With their finger on the pulse of the industry, the Product Development Manager will be aware of the competitive landscape and trends in the market to ensure Higher Standards is ahead of the curve. The Product Development Manager works closely with the Marketing, Sales and Custom Service teams to ensure alignment for new product launches. Someone with a strong background in strategic business concepts and experience translating high-level objectives into actions will thrive in this role.

The ideal candidate will possess massive project management skills, strong communication skills, a great eye for detail, and be a strategic thinker. Candidate must enjoy and thrive in a fast moving, high energy, constantly evolving environment. A successful individual will be highly motivated, proactive, team-oriented and precise, adhering to aggressive deadlines with the ability to prioritize competing business needs. Candidate should be able to support or lead projects, and have an inherent need for completion of projects and tasks.

Responsibilities:

• Manage complex supply chain from product concept through launch
• Evaluate current production and streamline for efficiency and profitability
• Analyze sales data to develop run-rates and inventory turns to ensure we have proper stock levels in all warehouses
• Build vendor relationships, expanding vendor selection as necessary, managing vendor negotiations
• Partner with the Marketing team to drive the marketing calendar for the year
• Manage component vendors and kitting products from components
• Manage production schedule based on run-rates and production lead times
• Analyze competitive landscape and provide direction based on consumer demand and brand vision
• Work cross-functionally with the Marketing, Sales and Customer Service teams to ensure proper alignment for new product launches
• Define and deliver innovative and intuitive consumer experiences across all Ecommerce and retail platforms
• Determine overall strategy for product focus areas
• Create and communicate product roadmaps
• Define the top-priority metrics and targets for each team to impact
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to execute product initiatives throughout the product development lifecycles
• Identify and prioritize new features and optimizations based on business objectives, metrics, and analysis
• Understand our overall company performance and priorities (and translate that understanding into product roadmap decisions)
• Manage cross-functional projects for roadmaps, including mobilizing members of the product team (as well as connecting with stakeholders outside of the core product team)

Requirements:

• 4-6 years product management, product development, or supply chain experience
• 4-6 years of experience in product management/owning a product roadmap, especially for consumer-facing e-commerce space
• Understanding of CRM methodologies and supply chain management
• Understanding of supply chain systems and structures
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work independently and within teams
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Communications and/or related field, or equivalent work experience
• Direct experience working with domestic and overseas manufacturers
• Creativity balanced with a passion for strategic planning, data & logistics
• Above-average written and verbal communication skills, as well as forecasting
• Superior project & budget management skills
• Able to oversee multiple projects, tasks, and open to quickly shifting priorities
• Able to travel as necessary
• Willingness to learn

Preferences:

• Computer literacy on Adobe Suite, MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Analytical skills (i.e. current market trends, forecasts, account analyses, and the competitive landscape to direct the evolution of Higher Standards’ product roadmap)
• Capable of managing many outside resources
• Packaging and printing experience is a plus
• CPG experience a plus
• Cannabis business and/or industry knowledge is a plus

Perks:

• Train under management professionals with decades of experience in marketing, strategy, quantitative and qualitative campaign development & execution
• Fun, collaborative environment
• Casual dress code
• Competitive benefit package (medical, 401k, PTO, tuition reimbursement, gym membership)
• Free Lunch Fridays
• A refrigerator filled with healthy snacks

Interested? To apply, send us your resume and provide a cover letter (required) describing why you would be the best candidate for this position.

By applying for this role, I understand that if offered a position with the company, I will be required to complete a pre-employment aptitude testing and background screening as a condition of employment.

Higher Standards provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or genetics. Higher Standards complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.