Product Manager

THE ORGANIZATION

Our client, The Little Potato Company, began its journey in 1996 with the owners (Jacob and Angela – father and daughter) wanting to be able to produce little creamer potatoes, like what Jacob knew from his Dutch roots. They grew their first acre by hand; planting, weeding, harvesting, and washing it themselves. They then packed them into the back of Angela’s hatchback, setting off to farmers markets and restaurants. The potatoes were popular with chefs early on, with one of their first accounts being the Banff Springs Hotel. Jacob and Angela bought their first plant in 2000 and with their continued success, have expanded to increasingly larger facilities over the years with their new state of the art facility located just outside of Edmonton in Nisku. With further expansion and growth across Canada and into the United States, LPC partnered with a co-packing plant in PEI and opened a second production plant in DeForest, Wisconsin. Today, Angela leads the organization as CEO and Jacob runs a research and breeding company for little potatoes. The Little Potato Company has grown to have products on store shelves in every Province in Canada and State in the United States and operates with over 360 employees across Canada and the United States.

The Little Potato Company continues to experience growth year over year and continue to be the market leading producer of little potatoes. They continue to set their sights high with their purpose being to “Feed the World, better” where “everyone, everywhere deserves to have healthy, great food”. At The Little Potato Company, they believe in living by a set of deeply held core values representing both their history and how they strive to live every day to make the world a better place. The core values that guide their corporate family are:

Family:  Since the very beginning, everything we’ve done has been built around family.  We honour the importance that family has in our employees’ lives and encourage a healthy work life balance.  We create a space for workplace well-being for ourselves and each other.

Go Beyond:  We know that employees come to us with their own experience and expertise.  We encourage everyone to go beyond a job description and to explore, learn, and share.  It opens a new world of possibilities that can lead to greater success for all.

Elevate others:  We’re diverse and inclusive, which leads to fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and unique shared experiences.  We build relationships by practicing humility, vulnerability, respect, and speaking clearly and kindly.

Down To Earth:  Wherever we are and whomever we are with, we are approachable, genuine, and warm.  We humbly acknowledge the simplicity and significance of growing good food for others.

Do What You Say:  We own and take responsibility for our actions, our development, our misses, and our wins.  We’re reliable, accountable, and honest.

It is a great time to join The Little Potato Company as they continue to grow and be a North American producer of their unique, healthy, and delicious Little Potatoes!

For further information on The Little Potato Company, please visit their website at www.littlepotatoes.com.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Product Manager is accountable for the development and execution of The Little Potato Company’s product roadmap across North America to ensure the organization delivers the right products and packaging solutions to the right consumer and customer segments. This role is responsible for identifying, evaluating, developing, commercializing, optimizing, and managing products throughout their lifecycle to support business growth, profitability, and category leadership.

The Product Manager translates consumer insights, market opportunities, and business objectives into actionable product plans and innovation initiatives. Through hands-on management of the product roadmap and innovation pipeline, the role leads product and packaging innovation and renovation projects from concept through commercialization, partnering across the organization to drive alignment, remove barriers, and ensure successful execution.

The Product Manager is accountable for managing portfolio performance throughout the product lifecycle, supporting successful commercialization efforts, identifying opportunities to optimize products, strengthen portfolio performance, and drive continuous growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities for this position include, but not limited to, the following:

Product Portfolio Management

• Execute the product roadmap and portfolio priorities in alignment with the overall product and business strategy.
• Evaluate consumer, customer, category, and market opportunities to identify product innovation, renovation, and optimization opportunities.
• Partner with Brand and Insights teams to understand consumer needs, trends, behaviors, and unmet opportunities that inform product decisions.
• Conduct product lifecycle and portfolio analysis to assess product performance, market relevance, profitability, and growth potential.
• Develop data-driven recommendations for product enhancements, repositioning, renovation, rationalization, phase-out, or discontinuation.
• Build business cases and supporting analyses to prioritize product initiatives and support portfolio decisions.
• Monitor portfolio performance and key business metrics, identifying opportunities to improve consumer value, commercial performance, and portfolio health.
• Apply consumer, market, competitive, and performance data to inform recommendations and ensure alignment with brand positioning and business objectives.
• Support annual planning processes by providing portfolio insights, product recommendations, and innovation opportunities.
• Maintain product roadmap documentation and communicate priorities, timelines, risks, and progress to key stakeholders.

Product Innovation & Development

• Lead product and packaging innovation and renovation initiatives from concept through commercialization.
• Manage the innovation pipeline, including idea generation, evaluation, prioritization, and progression through the development process.
• Serve as the marketing lead for assigned product development projects, ensuring alignment across cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, milestones, budgets, risk assessments, and contingency plans to support successful execution.
• Lead stage-gate activities and project reviews, ensuring key deliverables and business requirements are completed on schedule.
• Partner with Consumer Insights and Brand teams to conduct concept testing, product validation, market research, and consumer testing activities.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to support product and packaging development, commercialization readiness, and launch execution.
• Identify and proactively address project risks, barriers, and dependencies to keep projects on track.
• Develop and execute commercialization and go-to-market plans in partnership with Sales, Brand, and Marketing teams.
• Lead product and packaging sustainability initiatives and support marketing activities that advance company sustainability objectives.
• Support packaging innovation, renovation, and cost optimization initiatives through cross-functional project leadership and execution.
• Lead marketing support for Foodservice product launches, product expansions, and channel-specific innovation initiatives.
• Conduct post-launch and post-test analyses to evaluate performance, identify learnings, and recommend actions to improve future launch success.
• Develop and maintain effective project communication plans to ensure stakeholders are informed, aligned, and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with cross-functional stakeholders to support the successful delivery of product and packaging initiatives.
• Partner with business leaders and functional teams to ensure product roadmap priorities, innovation projects, and commercialization activities align with business objectives.
• Facilitate stakeholder alignment on project goals, requirements, timelines, risks, and key decisions throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Influence and engage stakeholders to drive timely decision-making, resolve issues, and maintain project momentum.
• Proactively identify and escalate risks, dependencies, and resource constraints that may impact project success.
• Present recommendations, project updates, and performance insights to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Foster collaboration and shared accountability across teams to achieve project, portfolio, and business objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication

• Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure product and packaging initiatives progress effectively from concept through commercialization.
• Lead regular project meetings and working sessions to align stakeholders, track progress, and address challenges.
• Establish and maintain effective communication plans that provide clear visibility into project status, milestones, risks, decisions, and next steps.
• Ensure stakeholder requirements and feedback are incorporated into project planning and execution where appropriate.
• Facilitate problem-solving and decision-making by bringing together the appropriate stakeholders and information.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement by capturing and communicating key learnings from innovation, commercialization, and portfolio management activities.
• Serve as a central point of contact for assigned product initiatives, ensuring consistent communication and alignment across the organization.

LPC Values & Culture

• Champion Company Values: Act as a visible and vocal advocate for the organization’s purpose, values and strategic mission. Ensure these principles are consistently reflected in decision-making, leadership behaviors, and business practices across the region.
• Culture Stewardship: Foster a culture rooted in the company’s core values. Lead by example to create an environment where employees feel empowered, engaged, and aligned with the company’s purpose.
• Collaboration: Build strong partnerships across functions to align product roadmap priorities, drive innovation and commercialization activities, and ensure successful delivery of product and packaging initiatives.
• Communication: Provide clear, timely, and actionable communication to stakeholders on project status, key decisions, risks, and business impacts, fostering alignment and accountability throughout the product development and commercialization process.
• Ethical Governance: Uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, compliance, and ethical conduct. Promote transparency, trust, and accountability at all levels of the organization.
• Change Leadership: Champion transformational initiatives with clarity and confidence. Inspire teams through change by supporting the company’s vision, addressing challenges proactively, and celebrating progress.

FIRST YEAR – MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Develop and formalize the food service product innovation roadmap, partnering with cross functional teams to define capabilities, timelines, and development milestones aligned with the organization’s growth strategy.
• Successfully launch one new food service product and one new retail product during the 2027 calendar year, achieving agreed-upon launch, market, and commercial objectives.
• Manage day to day execution of the product portfolio, partnering cross functionally to deliver commercialization, product changes, and continuous improvements.

THE INDIVIDUAL

Given the pivotal role this individual will be expected to play in achieving the strategic objectives of the company and in supporting the success of the organization, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following core competencies, experience, and attributes:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Product Management, Food Science (Research & Development), or a related discipline with the ideal candidate having a strong foundation in market research, product strategy, and analytical decision-making.
• Consideration will be given to candidates with experience in Research & Development within the food industry, particularly those with exposure to product portfolio management, commercialization, and innovation.
• An MBA or other advanced business degree would be considered an asset.

Experience

• 5 – 7+ years of progressive experience in Product Management, Brand Management, Innovation, Marketing, or a related field, preferably within the consumer-packaged goods (CPG), food manufacturing, produce, or agricultural sectors.
• Experience managing product portfolios and product lifecycles, including the development and execution of product roadmaps, innovation initiatives, and commercialization plans.
• Experience leading complex product and packaging launches from concept through commercialization in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong analytical and business acumen, with experience developing business cases, evaluating opportunities, and monitoring product performance.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, build alignment, and work effectively across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Experience working with external suppliers, packaging vendors, co-manufacturers, or service providers to support product development and commercialization activities is considered an asset.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, growth-oriented, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to support project execution, customer meetings, industry events, and business initiatives.

Competencies and Knowledge

• Product Strategy & Portfolio Management: Leads the development, lifecycle management, and commercialization of innovative products that align with consumer needs and business objectives.
• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Leverages market insights, consumer trends, financial analysis, and business cases to evaluate opportunities, optimize portfolio performance, and drive profitable growth.
• Project & Change Leadership: Successfully manages multiple cross-functional initiatives, balancing priorities, timelines, and resources while delivering results in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.
• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: Applies data, consumer insights, and market intelligence to identify opportunities, solve complex problems, mitigate risks, and support informed decision-making.
• Collaboration & Influencing: Builds trusted relationships and effectively influences cross-functional teams, senior leaders, customers, suppliers, and external partners to achieve shared objectives.
• Communication & Execution: Communicates ideas with clarity, translates strategy into action, and delivers high-quality results through strong planning, organization, and attention to detail.
• Leadership & Professionalism: Demonstrates accountability, integrity, adaptability, curiosity, and a continuous improvement mindset while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing culture.

Personal Profile

• Collaborative Team Player: Builds trusted relationships, works effectively across cross-functional teams, and fosters a collaborative, inclusive environment where ideas and diverse perspectives are valued.
• Influential Relationship Builder: Develops credibility quickly and effectively influences stakeholders through strong communication, relationship management, and collaboration rather than formal authority.
• Adaptable & Resilient: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment, embraces change, and can “roll with the punches” while maintaining focus and delivering results.
• Results-Oriented & Accountable: Takes ownership of commitments, follows through on priorities, and consistently delivers high-quality work within tight timelines and changing business demands.
• Positive & Solutions-Focused: Brings a proactive, optimistic approach to challenges, demonstrates sound judgment, and identifies practical solutions that move initiatives forward.
• Curious & Continuous Learner: Naturally seeks opportunities to learn, innovate, and improve while remaining open to feedback, new ideas, and evolving business needs.

COMPENSATION

An excellent compensation package awaits the successful candidate.

LOCATION

Nisku, Alberta, Canada or DeForest, Wisconsin, USA. Remote candidates will be considered conditional on working MST operating hours.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

In office at either Nisku or DeForest locations or remote as a consideration, with flexibility.

TRAVEL

This position is based in either Canada or the US, with occasional travel required to company facilities, customer meetings, conferences, or industry events within Canada and the United States. Estimated travel is 10-20%. A valid driver’s license and passport are required.

HOW TO APPLY

For the opportunity to join The Little Potato Company in the role of Product Manager, please email your resume to DreamBig@profoundtalent.com referencing Position ID #AMAK-525866 (Canada) or #ATNF-100826 (USA). Should you have an inquiry regarding this position, please contact Max Frank at 587-200-0114 ext. 102 or Terri Davis at ext. 101.

For further information on ProFound Talent Inc. please visit: www.profoundtalent.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

ProFound Talent is a woman owned and operated business, recognized and certified by Women Business Enterprise (WBE). We pride ourselves in supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in our recruitment processes and in our work environment, where every individual feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals to which you may confidentially share your accommodation needs at time of application. We will adjust our processes to ensure you have an inclusive, fair, and respectful experience that allows you to represent yourself in your unique and most authentic way.

* We thank all applicants for your submissions, however only candidates being considered for this role will be contacted. *