Product Manager

Company DescriptionThe Product Manager will manage the development and implementation of marketing activities to achieve sales, margin and customer service goals. This position will provide leadership and direction through coordinating projects in product development and product maintenance. It will require communicating and driving projects in a multi-discipline team environment that include Sales, Engineering, Marketing Communications, Quality and Operations.Job DescriptionPrinciple Responsibilities : Performs in-depth market research studies of competitive environment within assigned product line segments, providing the basis for most other Product Manager activities.Research results include, at a minimum, the following : competitive pricingmarket segment sizemarket share estimateskey applications within the segmentfeatures / benefits comparison of competitive productsnew product opportunitiesUses market research results to develop objectives and priorities for new product development. Coordinates and leads all new product development teams within assigned categories.Develops product definitions to guide the new product development process. The product definition includes the following : market price targetcost of sales targettechnical performance criteriatarget industry segmenttarget market applicationsFormulates an annual product plan designed to increase sales volume and profitability. Planning will be done in conjunction with the General Manager, Vertical Market Manager and other appropriate management. The Plan will include the following : pricing levels and strategyannual forecast for current products and financial plan (margin)recommended cost reduction programsrecommended additions, deletions and changes to the assigned product linenew product definitions to guide the new product development processforecast for release date, sales volume and profit levels of new products to be released within the planning horizonevaluation of new product standards and testing requirements and plan to meet criteriaPlans and implements creative marketing programs to promote the sales and profitability of assigned products.Monitors and analyzes market trends and projects activity and prepares sales forecasts for use in planning manufacturing operations and for controlling inventories. (SIOP)Leads E & O team to monitor and drive improvement by promoting consumption / substitution and proactive analysis / elimination of E & O increases.Develops pricing strategy and guidelines for the assigned product lines working with the General Manager, Director Sales and other appropriate management.Develops product promotion objectives and assists in the development of the advertising, catalog and marketing plans for the assigned product lines.Conducts product training for sales representatives and distributors.Provides technical assistance for sales representatives, distributors and subsidiaries.Participates actively in the Operations and Quality processes including project team involvement, problem-solving, and recommending solutions to enhance and improve the quality of departmental and / or company-wide business activities.Supports Productivity Improvement projects to reduce cost and improve margins.The preceding responsibilities and functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments and to make reasonable accommodations as needed.QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINESExperience / Training / Education : Required : Bachelor's degree in Engineering with Marketing experience. A good understanding of technical products and concepts.Seven (7) or more years of product management sales / marketing experience in with fluid power, hydraulics instrumentation products (pressure, level, temperature, or flow) across various industriesKnowledge of product design and manufacturing principals, Bills of material, Industrial Marketing and sales principles, methods and practices; applications and sales territories; technical product applications; customer service principles, practices and procedures.Ability to : Identify market and customer needs and make recommendations; conduct product training presentations to sales representatives and customers; exercise tact and diplomacy in resolving customer inquiries and problems; establish pricing; exercise initiative by independently researching and resolving inquiries and problems; prepare clear and concise business correspondence; organize, assign and coordinate work to meet scheduled deadlines; understand and follow written and verbal instructions; communicate and work cooperatively with co-workers, departmental representatives, sales representatives, management, customers and vendors; and ability to prepare product launch packages using competitive analysis, pricing and datasheets, and application information. Travel will be required : 5-15%.Skills : Superior analytical skillsGood organizational skillsAbility to effectively handle multiple prioritiesAbility to operate across the business and in different environments and culturesIntegrity and ethical qualities of the highest standardHighly motivated and innovativeTeam orientedStrong IT skillsRequired : Efficient use of MS Office suite to analyze complex data patterns. Customer intimacy - proven people skills, ability to multi-task (handle multiple inquiries and projects), technical aptitude (ability to understand engineering products), strong communication, ability to read engineering drawings.PC Skills : MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook), exposure to CRM software, CAD drawing software (Solidworks, etc.)Additional InformationAll your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.