Product Manager - Cookware

About the Role

We’re looking for a resourceful, driven Product Manager to own Smithey’s cast iron and carbon steel cookware categories. This person will drive the category’s road map from concept to commercialization, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure that each product upholds the Smithey standard of quality, performance, and brand integrity. The product manager will be the expert on the cookware category, driving new products while also working to maintain and improve upon the existing range.

Key Responsibilities

Category Ownership

• Support the strategic roadmap for cast iron and carbon steel, working closely with the VP of Product Development, to review market opportunities and prioritize new products and line extensions.

• Track cookware market trends, competitor launches, and pricing to keep Smithey’s category strategy ahead of the market rather than reacting to it.

• Build and maintain the business case for new cookware initiatives, including opportunity sizing and prioritization. 

• Drive ongoing product improvements and quality enhancements across the existing line.

• Serve as the go-to product expert for cast iron and carbon steel - supporting Sales and Customer Service with product knowledge and resolving escalated product issues.

Product Development

• Translate category strategy into clear product briefs and requirements for design and specifications, working closely with the Innovation and Design team.

• Manage timelines and stage-gate milestones for active cookware projects, through cross-functional teamwork, partnering with Design, Sourcing and Manufacturing on development and production feasibility.

• Partner with Marketing and Sales on go-to-market plans and launch materials and execute packaging development and product education tools for the category.

• Work with outside suppliers and vendors, communicating effectively and serving as Smithey's representative in every interaction.

Required Skills & Abilities

• The ability to think strategically, but execute tactically at speed, with strong attention to detail.

• A self-starter and critical thinker who takes ownership of challenges and drives to resolution.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills - equally comfortable in the office and a hands-on manufacturing environment.

• A “whatever it takes” mindset - willing to jump in where needed, to support a fast-growing, dynamic organization.

• Bonus: Love of craftsmanship, cooking, or heritage-inspired design.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree Required.
• 3-5 years of experience in product development, product management or brand marketing - ideally in a consumer goods or manufacturing environment. 

Selection Process and Assessments

As part of our selection process, candidates who move forward after the initial application review will be asked to complete the Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment. This brief, untimed assessment helps Smithey better understand a candidate’s natural work style and how they may collaborate within our team. Assessment results are one of several factors considered alongside experience, qualifications, and interview performance, and are not used as a sole pass/fail screen.

Offers of employment may be contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment background check and, where applicable, a drug screen, consistent with Smithey policy and applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Smithey Ironware Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions - including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, discipline, and termination - are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Reasonable Accommodation

Smithey Ironware is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants and employees who have sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, or practices. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at hr@smithey.com.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Smithey Ironware participates in E-Verify, the federal program that electronically confirms employment eligibility, as required by South Carolina law.