Vp, Product Development - Outdoor Lifestyle Brand

Our client is an outdoor equipment lifestyle brand.

Our client is seeking an exceptional Vice President of Product Development (VP) for this newly created role. The successful candidate will lead the Product Development team in the execution of development activities from ideation to launch. The VP will develop and manage the product development pipeline to continue to enhance the product's brand image in the market and to achieve the sales performance target. They will communicate their business value to the team in a clear, concise way to ensure that the team understands the purpose behind the new product or release. The VP will own the product development/stage-gating process from conceptualization to final execution and market release. In addition, they will oversee the budget and resource allocation to support product development operations; thereby, ensuring that the outputs meet the quality standards and timetables.

Reporting to the CEO, and a key member of the leadership team, the VP will work closely with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, marketing, and sales, to develop and execute product strategies that drive revenue growth, increase market share, and enhance the overall customer experience. They will present market forecasts and own the project’s profit and loss estimates. They will examine the markets and customer demands alongside the competition to influence a product’s vision. In this hands-on role, the VP will execute strategic and tactical roles within a company, and pivot between different functions. They look after the product to achieve its business goals, growth, and success, and to maximize the return on investment.

What you should expect:

• Stay up to date on industry trends and competitor activity to ensure that the company remains competitive in the marketplace.
• Develop and execute product development strategies that align with the company's overall goals and objectives.
• Develop and execute a product roadmap that aligns with the company's strategic goals and objectives in collaboration with the Marketing team, the Sales team and the Finance team.
• Lead the Product Development team to create innovative and high-quality products that meet the needs of the company’s customers in the outdoor enthusiast market.
• Ensure that product development efforts are aligned with the company's values and vision of supporting outdoor enthusiasts around the world in achieving a better future for themselves by leveraging their natural resources.
• Mentor and develop team members to enhance their skills and support their professional growth.
• In collaboration with the Director of Supply Chain, identify and develop partnerships with vendors and suppliers to ensure that the company has access to the necessary resources to develop and produce high-quality products.
• Work with the current Director of Product Development on succession planning.
• Work with the marketing team to develop product positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategies that drive revenue growth.
• Support cross-functional teams with continuous improvement of the existing product portfolio.
• Manage the product development budget, including resource allocation and cost control measures.

What you should bring:

To add immediate value, the client is seeking a proven product development executive with extensive experience in manufacturing, outdoor equipment, tools and/or CPG.

• Ability to translate analytics, data, and user feedback into actionable product plans.
• Creative with a continuous improvement mindset, known for developing innovative solutions and leading with impact.
• Experience in translating business goals and end-user needs into product strategies.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• High-performance team builder with the ability to recruit, retain and mentor top-quality staff.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate longer-term product development needs and impacts.
• A leader who embraces a player-coach mindset to build high-performing teams through a combination of strategic insight and active contribution.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire and build followership while attracting and developing talent.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Ability to provide sound business judgment, strategic thinking, and broad market and business perspective across the organization.
• Ability to develop business cases and demonstrate the rationale for new product investments.
• Pro-active, visible and engaging leadership style; entrepreneurial and naturally preferring open and two-way communication and collaboration across all functions and levels.
• Adept at capturing and utilizing data and insight to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• An authentic and curious learner who continuously assesses, anticipates, and provides informed current product development solutions to support business needs.
• Driven with a tireless work ethic and a proven ability to thrive in, and contribute to, a fast-paced environment focused on high growth and acting decisively on market opportunities.
• Well-versed in how a business operates, with financial acumen.
• Excellent leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Patient yet tenacious; self-aware and able to “read the room”.
• Solid track record in creating and maintaining product roadmaps.

Education and Experience:

• An MBA would be an asset.
• Experience in a leadership role responsible for achieving best-in-class product development.
• Previous experience working with a private equity partner is an asset.
• At least 15 years of experience, with at least 10 years in a people leadership role; fostering a strong employer brand and supporting a product development function in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• An undergraduate degree in engineering, business, management, marketing or another relevant field.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please send a resume to Shannon Terpstra at [email protected]

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.