Product Specialist

Description

OVERVIEW:

The Product Specialist will use a unique combination of sales, marketing, team management and technical expertise to drive profitability for the Compact Equipment product line and customer satisfaction. Initiate product enhancement recommendations for current products and make recommendations for new products targeted at better servicing a broader base of customers.  Serve as conduit between the customer, marketing and sales. The primary mission is to educate the company and the consumer in attachment features and benefits.  The Product Specialist provides the expertise in understanding the needs and practices of the market and provides valuable input regarding customer needs to other departments, including engineering, manufacturing, sales, customer service, quality control, and after-market services. Travel is required.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in managing the product line throughout the life cycle products.
• Develop and maintain YA product definitions and strategies that will obtain market share leadership.
• Analyze competitive equipment and provide sales and marketing with data used to promote the YA portfolio. Update and maintain research on customers, markets and the competition. Report findings to appropriate YA leadership as needed.
• Understand Compact Equipment Division products and serve as the primary YA expert on equipment.  Provide knowledge and support for strategic marketing decisions. 
• Consolidate geographic market input and initiate new product opportunity proposals.  Initiate product enhancement recommendations for current products.  Serve as a conduit between the customer, marketing, engineering and new product development teams.
• Understand the market, the competition, the end-user along with existing and emerging technologies and end-user application processes.
• Maintain market pricing data on competitors and generate pricing strategies.
• Develop programs, pricing and promotions in cooperation with sales to drive YA equipment sales.
• Support marketing and sales in general product activities including but not limited to, product planning, forecasting, market research, price management, distribution development, training, trade show participation, and development of promotional material.
• Develop training materials and support tools to ensure dealer improvement. Deliver product presentations as needed to employees, dealers and customers.
• Incorporate the “voice of the customer” into the management and design of the product line.
• Assume the central role in developing the product line strategy and for linking it to the corporate strategic direction. 
• Develop product plans, product positioning, and product promotion. 
• Deliver the “value proposition” and the primary marketing points for each model in the product line.
• Ensuring customer and dealer satisfaction through actionable feedback processes employed throughout the life cycle of the product.
• Being a pivotal member of the new product core development and current product maintenance teams.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Critical Interfaces

• YA Staff
• Dealers
• Consumers

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS in Business, Marketing or a related field or 3 years relevant experience.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience with construction equipment product (compact preferred) or similar products with progressive level of responsibility. 
• Advanced  Microsoft Office skills.
• This position is full time and based in Adairsville, GA. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of construction equipment, attachments and their usage.
• Ability to interact with the public in a polite and professional manner.
• Ability to speak and present information effectively to small and large groups.
• Ability to work 8 hours per day in a plant/office setting.  Must be able to navigate all areas of the building and facility as needed.  May occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds in an office, customer or similar setting.  Must be aware of surroundings.
• Appropriately interact with others in stressful and busy situations.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Ability to travel domestic and international, up to 30%

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description also does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of job change.