John Talbot
Cornelius
Summary
Strategic Senior Product Manager and innovation leader with 15+ years of experience driving product development across retail, construction, and outdoor-sports sectors. Adept at leveraging strategic thinking and creative problem-solving to foster innovation and deliver results. Strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication. Proven skills in project management, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Innovation Manager
National Gypsum
03.2024 - Current
- Lead front-end innovation for gypsum wallboard and built environment categories.
- Facilitate ideation, research, and pipeline development to support long-term strategic growth.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative strategies aligning with organizational goals.
- Facilitated brainstorming sessions to generate creative solutions for complex business challenges.
- Mentored junior team members, cultivating future leaders within the organization and strengthening overall performance.
- Analyzed market trends to inform strategic decision-making and identify new opportunities for growth.
Product Manager
Mystery Ranch Backpacks
12.2020 - 03.2024
- Drove 8–10% YOY revenue growth by aligning seasonal product roadmaps with market needs and performance metrics.
- Spearheaded high-profile product launch generating $250K in one-day revenue—leveraging limited edition strategy and tactical positioning.
- Executed full-lifecycle planning for technical packs including pricing, merchandising, and customer value propositions.
- Navigated domestic and international supply chains with precision, balancing quality assurance and speed-to-market.
- Collaborated across design, sales, and ops to uphold rigorous tactical standards and brand integrity.
- Conducted market research to identify user requirements and inform strategic decision-making for new products.
- Developed and managed product lifecycle strategies, ensuring timely launches and ongoing updates based on user feedback.
- Established key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and guide future enhancements.
Sr Product Manager Of Innovation
Enerco Group Inc (Mr. Heater)
06.2020 - 11.2020
- Created IP-focused innovation strategies for light construction and retail channels.
- Revitalized stagnant categories by introducing differentiated solutions grounded in real-world usability.
- Developed and scaled new product concepts aligned with evolving market demand.
- Collaborated with manufacturing teams to optimize production processes and enhance quality standards.
- Implemented user feedback mechanisms to continuously improve product offerings and customer satisfaction.
- Spearheaded training sessions for team members on new product features and market positioning strategies.
- Collaborated with sales teams to develop effective training materials that drove increased product knowledge among staff members, resulting in higher close rates.
Product Manager - RETAIL MARKETS GROUP
Enerco Group Inc. (Mr. Heater)
09.2017 - 06.2020
- Increased B2B revenue from $120M to $160M over three years through data-driven product decisions and channel expansion.
- Co-developed a portable heater with DeWalt, delivering breakthrough performance and customer satisfaction.
- Rolled out company-wide stage-gate development process to enhance speed, collaboration, and strategic clarity.
- Built retail partnerships with national chains and optimized positioning across big-box stores.
- Applied market and customer research to redefine portfolio and unlock new revenue channels.
- Developed strategic product roadmaps based on consumer insights and market trends, aligning with brand vision.
- Managed end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept development to post-launch analysis, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Product Analyst – Specialist (Multiple Roles)
American Greetings
06.2008 - 11.2017
- Developed over 160 new products generating $400M+ in retail revenue.
- Pioneered packaging, display, and greeting card innovations including sensor-triggered and illuminated formats.
- Managed vendor relationships across Asia to ensure cost-effective and timely execution of new product initiatives.
- Held progressive roles in product analysis, technological integration, and category leadership.
Education
BS - Psychology
Quinnipiac University
Additional Design Studies - Illustration & Graphic Design
Maine College of Art
Fundamentals of Global Sports Management -
NYU
Project Leadership -
Case Western Reserve
PDMA Body of Knowledge -
Professional Development
Skills
- Innovation Strategy & Management
- IP Development & Patent Creation
- Product Lifecycle & Portfolio Strategy
- Stage-Gate / Agile Methodologies
- VOC Integration & Market Analysis
- Retail Partnership Development
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Global Supply Chain Optimization
IP Strategy and Portfolio
I’ve consistently partnered with and led teams to transform ideas into market-ready innovations, building IP portfolios that fuel long-term growth and competitive advantage.
https://patents.google.com/?inventor=john+talbot,johnathan+talbot&assignee=American+Greetings+Corporation,Enerco+Group%2c+Inc.,Mystery+Ranch+Ltd,Mystery+Ranch%2c+LLC
Hobbies and Interests
- Art
- Mtn Biking
- Snowboarding
- Hiking
- Travel
Timeline
Innovation Manager
National Gypsum
03.2024 - Current
Product Manager
Mystery Ranch Backpacks
12.2020 - 03.2024
Sr Product Manager Of Innovation
Enerco Group Inc (Mr. Heater)
06.2020 - 11.2020
Product Manager - RETAIL MARKETS GROUP
Enerco Group Inc. (Mr. Heater)
09.2017 - 06.2020
Product Analyst – Specialist (Multiple Roles)
American Greetings
06.2008 - 11.2017
Additional Design Studies - Illustration & Graphic Design
Maine College of Art
Project Leadership -
Case Western Reserve
PDMA Body of Knowledge -
Professional Development
BS - Psychology
Quinnipiac University
Fundamentals of Global Sports Management -
NYU
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