Product Planning Analyst

Description

 PURPOSE

This procedure defines and details the function, reporting relationships, responsibilities, duties and expectations of performance of the Product Planning Analyst.

BASIC FUNCTION

The basic function of the Product Planning Analyst is to support the product planning and product marketing function through effective marketing research, business planning, interdepartmental coordination/collaboration, quantitative analysis, and documentation/information archiving.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Product Planning Analyst – reports to the Sr. Product Manager.

The Product Planning Analyst does not have direct reports.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Planning Analyst is responsible for:

Product Planning of Golf Club Products

• Marketing & field research for product development and product planning
  • Analyze competitor products, positioning, and marketing tactics
  • Identify emerging trends
  • Conduct and support market research to understand consumer needs, preferences, and behaviors
• Gathering research and insights from sales trends, input from the field and customers to inform future product development.
• Quantitative analysis on marketing, sales, and profitability trends.
• Support third party marketing research projects.
• Support information and research requests from Global HQ business planning teams to ensure successful global launch.
• Prepare research and planning documents to recommend the optimal SKUs and set makeups as compared to competitor benchmarks, meet dealer/market needs, and profitability/efficiency benchmarks for the business.
• Attend all global video conference calls with global Global HQ product planning team. Support requests as needed.
• Provide design briefs based on consumer research and product plan requirements to inform R&D and industrial design of products. Need to ensure both consumer needs and business planning/profitability requirements are met.
  • Write and lead in design surveys and product design research
• Creation, management, and archiving of all marketing/planning related documentation for product planning and operational setup (MSRs, PSRs, Item Setups/Change Forms, etc.)
  • Save and archive files in proper locations within company data archives.
  • Support formal global product planning meetings, gates, and approval steps.
• Respond to Global HQ business inquiries (in video calls, emails, or Teams channels/chats).
• Work closely with business analysis team on business planning objectives (sales growth, profitability, SKUs/inventory management, etc.).
• Track regular marketing research trends:
  • Market Share reports
  • Major research publications from NGF, Circana/Golf Datatech, USGA, etc.
  • New product introductions/trends

Sales Support

• Support preparation of sales-related product presentations and training assets prior to global sales meetings.

Creative Support

• Outline key product manual content (F&Bs) to support creative team for all golf club products. Identify F&Bs, specs, and USPs of key products. Manage/archive all key specs and product-related information.
• Outline/support R&D testing working with R&D team and/or third-party testing firms to support marketing claims beneficial to promotion of the product.
• Assist in the review and confirmation of product documents and content prior to release for accuracy (product manuals, catalogs, website content, etc.).

Admin/legal

• Support IP/Trademark clearances as needed for new name, technologies, and for product documentation.  

TRAVEL

Moderate travel should be expected.

Location

• STRONGLY PREFERRED: US main office in Huntington Beach, CA
  • Role is considered an office job, however hybrid office/remote work might be allowed at certain times by department head.
  • Ideally lives within 25 miles of Huntington Beach, CA
  • This role interacts with products, samples, on-site R&D and management team often. Remote work generally won’t be effective.
• Applicants seeking a remote role are generally discouraged from applying. However, if there is a remarkable candidate with an unusually good fit for this role that can prove exceptional work remotely, we may consider that applicant.

EXPECTATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS OF PERFORMANCE

Product Planning Analyst of Dunlop Sports Americas will be deemed to be performing in a satisfactory manner when the following are being accomplished:

• Deadlines: Projects and tasks are effectively managed through completion in a timely fashion deadlines/milestones are met.
• Communication: All information, reports, and progress associated with projects and executions are communicated effectively with stakeholders.
• Quality of work: Research quality and plans are thoughtful, well supported, and effective. Content created is free from errors and aligned with brand position and strategy.
• Teamwork: Projects and interactions with colleagues are constructive, collaborative, professional, respectful, and effective.
• Employee development and attitude: Employee shows growth in job knowledge, versatility, communication, and marketing skill.
• Service levels and responsiveness to SRI Global Business team and Sales Company Executives: Service levels, response time, and levels of support to global initiatives align with expectations.

All of the expectations outlined above will be monitored by comparative assessments, interviews with managers/colleagues/direct reports, and evaluation by supervisor. When possible, objective quantitative measures will be used.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or research-related field
• 5 years related work experience in a planning and research-focused role
• Golf and/or golf equipment expertise (at least an avid golfer)
• Ability to write surveys, conduct marketing research, and analyze results into actionable insights
• Proficient in MS Office, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to analyze (proficient with spreadsheets and business/financial math)
• Well-developed presentation skills

Ideal Candidate Traits

• Analytical mindset with curiosity about consumer behavior (golfers)
• Attention to detail, organized, and good with documentation
• Solutions oriented
• Collaborative and a good team member
• Loves golf, research, and sports

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.