PURPOSE:

To understand the vaping industry in assigned countries. Identify market drivers, key trends, new innovations, consumer behaviour and regulations to enable successful NPD and NPI to drive growth and achieve targets.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take responsibility for identifying and developing suitable compliant products for the assigned countries
• Identify the next ‘big thing’ in vaping and position the business to be first to market in innovation
• Work closely with the assigned business unit on a day-to-day basis to be a part of the growth plans
• Carry out market research via
• In market face-to-face contact and surveys; fostering a network of reliable sources
• Desk research
• Media research
• Attending relevant exhibitions
• Colleague feedback
• Liaison with internal skill sources to assist with feedback and surveys eg the Internal Account Managers, Business Development Managers, Marketing dept
• Supplier intelligence
• Competitor activity and analysis to establish true and factual insight into market requirements, trends, innovations, gaps and challenges
• Accumulate data and insight and interpret to position the department and the business as the product and market ‘experts’
• Work with our core supply sources to meet NPD/NPI plans and deadlines, and price targets
• Form sound relationships with suppliers to commercially benefit the business, troubleshooting where necessary on quality and performance
• Create comprehensive business cases proving rationale, strategy, channel distribution and USP differentiation; price positioning, range, profit and value to the business, etc for communication and updates to BU/Marketing/Production/Finance
• Assess key priorities and plan work accordingly, with effective time management
• Ensure full agreed implementation plans are completed and followed leaving no loose ends on live projects. This includes pre-launch trials, testing, and go-to-market launch plans
• Play an active role in category management, ensuring targets are achieved through management of the roadmaps and product lifecycle
• Following launch, monitor product sales and carry out an evaluation of the process to ensure continual improvement
• Assist Demand Planning in preparation of supply plans with forecasts and stock profile requirements
• Plan and execute product/range life cycle, looking at full architecture, hierarchy and obsolescence
• Manage continual cost improvements to increase product margins
• Ensure Product files and folders are maintained on the NPD folder
• Ensure that all products are safe, fit for purpose, meet quality expectations and comply with the relevant up-to-date regulations
• Be a product champion, educate and answer product queries
• Provide suitable training and argumentation to assist with launches, continual improvement and overcoming sales objections
• Support Marketing with relevant information to facilitate true representation in blogs, social media, publications and other marketing collateral/communications
• Work as a team member, but be prepared to take ownership of assigned projects
• Assist with and support the QMS process
• Any other duties deemed relevant in achieving the objectives of the department and the business

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Highly numerate, excellent IT skills
• Solid commercial understanding
• Excellent communication skills
• Flexible, problem solver
• Shows confident capable initiative
• Works well in a team
• Project management experience
• Calm and professional manner
• Be prepared to travel
  Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Preston PR1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Do you vape?

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In perso