Product Manager - Cookware

Smithey-Ironware-1; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithey Ironware in Charleston, SC is seeking a Product Manager to own the cast iron and carbon steel cookware categories, driving the road map from concept to commercialization and upholding the brand's craftsmanship and quality.

You will collaborate with Design, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Sales to translate strategy into briefs, manage timelines, and roll out new products, while improving the existing range.

Qualifications

• Think strategically and execute quickly with strong attention to detail.
• Self-starter who takes ownership and drives to resolution.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in office and manufacturing settings.
• Willingness to jump in to support a fast-growing organization.
• Bonus: love of craftsmanship or heritage-inspired design.

Responsibilities

• Own the cast iron and carbon steel category roadmap from concept to commercialization.
• Review market opportunities, prioritize new products and line extensions.
• Track market trends and pricing to keep category strategy ahead.
• Build business cases for new cookware initiatives with opportunity sizing.
• Drive ongoing product improvements across the existing line.
• Be the go-to product expert for cast iron and carbon steel, supporting Sales and Customer Service.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Fast execution

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Smithey Ironware, we’re building the next great American cookware company - one rooted in craftsmanship, quality, and enduring design. As a privately owned and fast-growing brand, we take a long-term approach to growth and decision-making. We believe exceptional products come from thoughtful work, high standards, and people who care deeply about what they do. Our team is united by a commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and creating cookware that will be trusted and enjoyed for generations to come.

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.

Smithey Ironware Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminateon the basis ofrace, 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 madeon the basis ofqualifications, merit, and businessneed.

Reasonable Accommodation

Smithey Ironware is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants and employees who havesincerely heldreligious beliefs, observances, or practices. Applicants who requirean accommodationtoparticipatein the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

Work Authorization

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