Product Management Specialist

**Specialist, Product Management (automotive)**

The Specialist, Product Management will leverage their automotive expertise and analytical skills to support Product Management’s product information and competitive intelligence initiatives. The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation and ongoing management of the product information and specification database, as well as the development, review and communication of product guides and other product-related materials. In addition, the Specialist will support future product planning initiatives with comprehensive competitive intelligence gathering and critical analysis in the areas of advanced automotive technologies (electrification, connectivity, autonomy, etc.) and product competitive positioning. This role will organize the company’s vehicle launch committee. The Specialist will be passionate about the automotive industry and have a strong aptitude for technical vehicle information. They will possess proven organizational, technical writing and communication skills, will demonstrate advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, and will have meticulous attention to detail.

The incumbent will report to the Senior Director, Product Management and will be based out of **Subaru Canada’s head office in Mississauga, ON (hybrid work style).**

**Primary Job Responsibilities**:

- Assist Product Management in the planning, development and execution of its product planning, information management, and product knowledge sharing activities.
- Using creative and technical writing skills, manage all aspects of the development, publishing, and distribution of product guides to internal departments, external suppliers, and our dealer network.
- Oversee the development, publication and sharing of all new model year product information, vehicle launch materials, and departmental bulletins including the uploading of product-related information to Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) databases, information systems and online portals.
- Coordinate the implementation and oversee the ongoing management of our vehicle specification database, including the review of vehicle specifications, data entry, data cleansing and quality assurance.
- Oversee the development and ongoing management of a technical glossary, ensuring consistency of specification and feature terminology across all model lines
- Support launch departments in the development and approval of final versions of SCI marketing and launch materials such as brochures, press kits and releases and website content.
- Lead the company’s new vehicle launch committee.
- Support the Telematics department in the development of model configuration and telematics capabilities documents and subsequent system uploads.
- Support Product Management’s market research initiatives by gathering industry and competitive intelligence on advanced automotive technologies and innovation (e.g. electrification, connectivity, autonomy, etc.) using online sources and planning tools (such as Chrome, Mtab, IHS Markit, etc.).
- Through the critical analysis and modelling of the data gathered, assist in identifying key trends and drawing meaningful insights on developments in technological innovation, product positioning and competitive dynamics, presenting findings to key company stakeholders.
- Serve as a key Product Management contact, providing expert product knowledge support to Subaru dealers, Sales, Subaru Academy, Distribution and Customer Care teams.
- Provide additional support to Product Management, SCI departments and Subaru Corporation (SBR) through various tasks, research studies and special projects on an ad-hoc basis.

**Required Skills / Attributes**:

- Deep understanding of the Canadian automotive market and the competitive landscape.
- Excellent research, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication, technical writing, and reporting skill
- Exceptional levels of attention to detail with a focus on the scrutiny of data
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to work under pressure
- Strong interest in technical product specifications and automotive data
- Self-motivated, demonstrating initiative and the ability to work with limited supervision
- Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing priorities/responsibilities
- Team player with strong interpersonal skills
- Professionalism and maintains strict confidentiality

**Qualifications**:

- 5+ years of automobile industry experience at the product, retail and/or wholesale levels, or equivalent
- University Degree (Business, Communications or Automotive related)
- Experience in technical writing, editing, and publishing an asset
- Experience in research, data modelling and reporting an asset
- Technical experience in database development and management an asset
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office software required (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.)
- Advanced proficiency with publishing software an asset