Product Manager - Watercraft

At Johnson Outdoors, home to some of the world's most innovative and best-known outdoor recreation brands, we create amazing outdoor experiences - for adventurers, by adventurers. Old Town Watercraft brings over 100 years of passion and authentic understanding in kayaks, canoes and the new EPDL-power assist pedal kayaks to drive the next generation innovation on the water. Join the growth of this iconic brand as our Watercraft Product Manager!

Check out how the Old Town Watercraft brand feeds the passion for people to enjoy the great outdoors!

This role can be based in either Racine, Wisconsin, at our Headquarters on the shore of Lake Michigan, or at our Old Town Manufacturing/R&D facility in Old Town, Maine. Either location has incredible access to a variety of outdoor activities whether skiing and snowmobiling in winter, or kayaking, fishing, sailing, hiking or more in summer.

About the Role:

The person in this role manages the successful development of products to meet consumer needs. Defines and executes the product vision, strategy, and roadmap, in alignment with business objectives. Ensures cross-functional alignment and oversees the successful delivery of features and functionality that drive product value. Involved in close collaboration with engineering, design, marketing, brand, and sales teams to ensure that product initiatives are executed effectively and deliver measurable results. Accountable for monitoring product performance, analyzing data to inform decisions, and continuously refining the product to maintain competitive advantage and consumer relevance.

What you will be doing:

Product Vision & Strategy

• Defines and maintains a compelling product vision and roadmap aligned with business goals.
• Ensures product strategy viability though continuous market analysis.

Market Research

• Reflects consumer insights, needs and market opportunities in product requirements.
• Translates insights into clear product requirements and user stories that guide development.

Innovation

• Facilitates product innovation and development of new features that solve consumer needs delivering product value through features, functionality, and performance.

Product Development, Launch Planning & Execution

• Oversees the product development lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Partners and supports cross functional team in developing comprehensive product launch plans.
• Partners with brand and marketing teams to ensure product features align with consumer expectations and brand promise.
• Coordinates with engineering, design, operations, brand and marketing teams to ensure product success.
• Partners with engineering and cross functionally to ensure a timely delivery and a successful launch.

Sales Enablement

• Provides the sales team with detailed product information and training to support go-to-market efforts.

Performance Monitoring & Optimization

• Monitors and analyzes product performance using data-driven insights.
• Conducts competitive analysis and makes informed decisions to optimize product features and positioning.

Customer/Consumer Interaction

• Participates with brand in understanding consumer feedback and concept product fit to ensure product features deliver consumer promise.

User Experience

• Translates customer needs, business goals, and technical constraints into clar, actionable product features and user stores.
• Collaborate with UX/UI designers, engineers, and stakeholders to define features that solve real user problems. Ensures alignment with the product vision and roadmap.

Campaigns and Promotions

• Supports brand on technical, feature, and product aspects of launches.

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Typically requires a bachelors degree in marketing, business, engineering or equivalent.

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in product management in a consumer durable goods industry.

• Proven experience utilizing market insights, market research and data analysis to understand consumer needs, and market opportunities as it related to product requirements.

• Comprehensive understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and product lifecycle management including go-to-market strategies and product launch best practices.

• Skills and abilities to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously from product conception to launch which includes supporting the development of innovative, profitable products and successfully bringing the product to market.

• Demonstrated success and experience developing new and improving existing product plans which increase profitability and consumer attainment/engagement.

• Advanced consulting and leadership skills to effectively lead the execution of product strategy and partner with various teams to implement products.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with diverse individuals internally and externally. Advanced consulting skills and ability to partners with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful launch and performance of our products.

• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office suite including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

A few pointers about our culture:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out in the great outdoors.
• We are laser-focused on our consumers, and passionate about providing superior solutions flexible to meet any event's needs or mission requirements.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value team members who are willing to wear many hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive:

• Share in the company's success with competitive base salary with additional earning potential through participation in the annual discretionary cash profit sharing program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Find work/life balance with generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits, a full benefits package, and broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoying a collaborative and casual work environment, participating in fun company events, and taking advantage of great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, college savings program, life and LTD insurance, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Johnson Outdoors (and all subsidiaries) without regard to race; creed; color; religion; national origin; sex; age; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; genetic predisposition or carrier status; veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or any other status protected by law. Johnson Outdoors is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at HRSpecialAccommodations@johnsonoutdoors.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak; Carlisle paddles; Minn Kota fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon downriggers; Humminbird marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO dive equipment; Jetboil outdoor cooking systems. Founded in 1970 by Samuel C. Johnson, the Company has delivered double-digit compound annual growth over its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $663 million global enterprise with around 1,300 employees across 20 countries.