Product Manager

Position Summary: - Under broad supervision, responsible for managing assigned product lines and categories, strategic and tactical leadership, management and implementation of product decisions within assigned product categories. This role is global including product management of assigned product(s). Total product business volume responsibility is typically up to $100M globally. Major Accountability: - Product lifecycle and product roadmap development on a global scale - Manage NPI business case development and related marketing responsibilities - Manage product market and price positioning, profitability, and support commercial activities - Collaborate with corporate MarCom and PL marketing teams to develop marketing materials/campaigns, web presence, sales tool development and product training events. Key Tasks and Responsibilities: - Product Life Cycle Management for assigned product categories and strategy for NPI initiatives; product refreshes; logical line extension. - Determines, manages product position for portfolio; prioritizes all NPI; owns MRD & PRD documents; writes preliminary business case & supporting financial analysis; secures "buy-in" for product initiatives; drives global marketing launch plans; coordinates field trials; dealer & channel partner product support, supports global sales initiatives. - Tracks margin; provides input to increase reliability and input to aftermarket services and products (extended warranty, monitoring, etc.). - Supports ongoing competitive analysis for assigned product categories. Identifies gaps in global product range for future NPI consideration. - Manages global customer satisfaction and customer life experience including monitoring and improving warranty performance, product upgrades, developing service initiatives and other programs to assure continuing revenue from long-life products. - Develops price positioning and distribution strategies which result in optimum market share and profitability. Works with PL/Regional marketing, sales, service, and other functional groups globally to ensure effective implementation of pricing and distribution strategies. - Conducts, reports market research (market share, trends, etc.); assesses end-user needs, evaluates and reports on customer satisfaction including studies on market potential for new, redesigned, or existing products. Assures market intelligence to capitalize opportunities. - Analyzes product sales strengths/weakness. Reviews sales forecast, collaboratively develops build and inventory plans to maximize profit and balance operating expense. Works with sales management to maximize product penetration strategy. Prepares global product launches. - Works collaboratively with PL/Central/Regional marketing teams to establish goals/objectives for advertising, promotion, web site, trade-show displays, and literature for assigned products. - Develops metrics to evaluate strategic and tactical execution. Creates quantitative metrics of success and securing funding for programs. Specialized Skills, Knowledge and Abilities - Demonstrated product management and marketing skills. - Excellent communication and interaction skills at all levels. - Ability to manage deadlines and complexity and to think and problem solve analytically and creatively. - Teamwork orientation; ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. - Leadership, collaboration, negotiating skills and strategy development; business acumen and experience in business case development. Travel: 25% - Years of Experience: 7 - 10 years. - Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree - advanced degree a plus. - Field of Study: Product Management, Marketing, General or International Business, Engineering, or Technical/Business degree. - Required Field Experience: Marketing, product management with increasing responsibility; durable capital goods preferred; sales through 1or 2 global distribution channels. - Reports to: VP of Sales & Brand President.