Associate Product Manager - Accessories - La Mirada, CA

Makita USA; La Mirada (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays)

Job summary

Makita USA is looking for an Associate Product Manager to support product planning and execution across the product lifecycle. This role involves defining product vision, conducting market research, and collaborating with teams in La Mirada, California.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong communication skills, a passion for product management, and proficiency in Microsoft Suite. The role offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, competitive pay, and opportunities for career growth.

Qualifications

• Product management experience preferred but not required.
• Self-starter, capable of working well independently and with others in a team environment.
• Solid understanding of the e-commerce, retail, and industrial buying environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist in product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Conduct ongoing product category research and identify trends.
• Collaborate and influence cross-functional teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Product management experience

E-commerce understanding

Microsoft Suite proficiency

Bilingual in Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing or business-related field

Job description

Job Details

• Location: Corporate - La Mirada, CA 90638
• Position type: Full Time
• Salary Range: $70,000 to $90,000

Job Summary

The Associate Product Manager is responsible for assisting in product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle of Makita’s range of tools. This includes prioritizing between current products and new product development, continually gathering and defining the voice of the customer requirements as they relate to new product development, defining the product vision and strategy for a variety of end‑user markets, and working cross‑functionally with engineering, sales, operations, creative, purchasing, and customer service to ensure company goals are achieved. The Associate Product Manager also works on various projects to support the marketing team’s core objectives. This position is based out of Makita’s corporate office in La Mirada, California.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Be a self‑starter and entrepreneurial in spirit
• Ideate, participate, and help define the product strategy and roadmap
• Assist with and lead market research, competitive product testing, and pricing analysis initiatives
• Conduct ongoing product category research and identify trends, opportunities, and positioning for both current products and future product offerings
• Produce competitive product analysis materials
• Write effective product copies and specifications for use throughout marketing collateral
• Collaborate with and influence cross‑functional teams without formal authority
• Lead and manage the internal packaging design workflow for assigned products
• Assist in launching new products through multiple mediums
• Work with creative and channel teams to develop promotional campaigns
• Collaborate on the creation of design briefs and help create sales tools and marketing collateral
• Track, collect, and manage online reviews of products and communicate to user follow‑ups
• Prioritize between projects of various topics and complete those projects on time
• Think creatively to develop solutions
• Effectively communicate with internal and external colleagues and partners
• Present confidently and passionately in a variety of meetings and presentation settings
• Act as a leader within the company
• Co‑manage and independently manage product lines of accessories
• Use power tools

Skills Required

• Passion for winning is a must
• Product management experience preferred but not required
• Self‑starter, capable of working well independently and with others in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills in person, on the phone, in writing, and on video calls
• Solid understanding of the e‑commerce, retail, and industrial buying environments
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Experience within the power tool industry preferred but not required

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Travel

Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time.

Education and/or Experience Desired

Bachelor’s degree in marketing or a business‑related field.

Physical Demands

• Regular use of hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.
• Regularly stand, walk, stoop, bend, or reach above the head.
• Frequently sit.
• Occasionally lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Able to ascend and descend stairs.
• Continuously reach out to sort miscellaneous items.
• Physically and mentally able to work in an environment with strict deadlines and multiple projects.
• May be subject to overtime as required.

Our Benefits Include

• Health & Wellness
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance options after 30 days of employment
  • Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
  • Employee assistance program (EAP) for mental health and well‑being
  • Paid subscription to Headspace and five other wellness apps of choice
• Financial Security
  • Competitive pay and performance‑based incentives
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Basic term life insurance fully paid by the company
  • Long‑term disability coverage fully paid by the company
  • Optional voluntary coverage: critical illness, accidental, hospital indemnity, whole life, and supplemental life plans
• Work‑Life Balance
  • Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays)
  • Employee discounts on Makita tools and accessories
• Career Growth & Development
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Internal promotion opportunities
  • Collaborative, innovative work environment

Disclaimer

This description is based on management’s assessment of the requirements and functions of the job as of the date this description was prepared. It is a general guideline for managers and employees, but it does not intend to be an exhaustive list of all the elements of the job. Management reserves the right to modify the description at any time or to vary the duties and responsibilities of the job on a temporary or indefinite basis to meet production, scheduling, or staffing needs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The company is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. Company policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, veteran status, military service, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, genetic information, medical (including genetic characteristics or cancer diagnosis), actual or perceived sexual orientation, or any consideration protected by federal, state or local laws. All such discrimination is prohibited. Additionally, the company will provide registered domestic partners with all rights and benefits as required by law. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 prohibits employers from requesting or requiring genetic information of an individual or family member of the individual. The company is committed to complying with all applicable laws and providing equal employment opportunities.