Product Manager

Job Summary:

The Product Manager is responsible for delivering and maintaining a portfolio of products that are commercially successful, competitive and profitable while continuously improving the position of the company in the market.

The Product Manager works cross functionally to achieve objectives. They act as an investment manager, plan and recommend where the company should invest resources, analyze markets for opportunities, identify future trends and study competitor positioning in the market.

The Product Manager defines the product vision collaboratively with sales, marketing, R&D and end customers. They prioritize product and customer requirements, ensuring satisfaction targets are understood and met.

The Product Manager achieves results without direct authority by influencing and working closely with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, finance, regulatory, and quality to ensure successful execution of the product portfolio strategy. All projects are coherent to and support the company's overall strategies.

Key Competencies:

• Energetic, positive, honest, approachable, team player and able to work independently

• Excellent analytical, problem solving, organization and communication skills

• Effective negotiation skills

• Proven leadership and ability to motivate and inspire a team to achieve results by influence

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (up to 7)

1. Product Portfolio--As owner of the product portfolio strategy, the Product Manager oversees the entire product line life cycle from upfront strategic planning to execution to down-the-road improvements, and eventual rationalization where/when required.

· Evaluate potential benefits and prioritize initiatives amongst overall product line objectives; develop and track action plans gaining cross functional support for executions

· Develop, propose and manage forecasts and overall budgets for the product portfolio

· Conducts strategic reviews to ensure alignment and execution of the product portfolio strategy including clear milestones and metrics to assess progress and performance

2. Market Research--The Product Manager specifies market requirements for current and future products by conducting market research, developing a comprehensive and overarching product portfolio strategy and product roadmap.

• Participate in on-going visits to customers and non-customers for market research

• Provide and maintain an in-depth analysis for all aspects of market, industry and competition

• Develop hands-on, in-depth knowledge of competitive products, with particular focus on features and benefits and positioning

• Conduct market assessments and competitive analyses to identify product opportunities whether new or redesigned to address different/future needs

• Obtain and analyze all relevant available secondary market research, identifying information gaps and filling them with primary research when deemed necessary.

3. Product Development and Launch--The Product Manager acts as a stakeholder in the product innovation process, identifying future market requirements and potential product opportunities. They partner with Sales and R&D to develop products with clear timelines. They develop product line extensions and support product improvement plans that are in tune with market trends.

• Support Engineering to ensure technical robustness and error proofing for the end consumer, ensuring that launch teams have all of the required information to deliver a complete product to market

• Support Engineering initiatives that optimize time to market

• Support Manufacturing (including quality, purchasing and logistics) in identifying opportunities for improvement in quality, productivity and profitability that necessitate product line consideration and/or changes

• Own the creative process of generating, developing and curating new ideas. Determine which should be promoted into features to push the product strategy forward.

• Establish product line sales targets in direct collaboration with sales team, prioritize and then monitor progress to targets and strategic goals/initiatives, track variance and take necessary corrective action within, and in, the next product cycle to maximize product line revenue and profitability

• Support Sales in the development of product pricing and reimbursement strategies for products to meet revenue and profitability

• Run beta and pilot programs with early-stage products and samples to judge potential success in the market.

4. Marketing & Support Materials--The Product Manager acts as a product portfolio subject matter expert as they support marketing, sales, Customer Solutions, etc. through leading the development and maintenance of various marketing and sales collateral. Develop company-wide “go-to-market” product plans within the product portfolio roadmap, partnering with Marketing and all relevant departments to ensure alignment and successful execution.

• Support Marketing (and Marketing Firm) to develop and approve the core product positioning, value proposition and messaging for the product

• Support the development of FAQs, product notes, user guides, field training presentations, online marketing, packaging, print materials, content and demos

• Partner with sales to develop innovative marketing programs and show event campaigns

• Perform product demonstrations at trade shows, online seminars, and other events as required

• Support the development of internal and external product education programs

• Work with sales and marketing to develop a coherent, effective and executable product launch plan

Skills / Education

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Finance, Marketing, or equivalent discipline. MBA strongly preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in business development, sales, marketing or product management

• Experience working in collaborative cross functional teams. Proven experience partnering with Sales, Engineering and Manufacturing departments is preferred

• Experience in business case analysis, commercial issues, profit and loss analysis preferred

Computer Software Skills Requirements:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP Systems. CAD and Adobe Suite are an asset.

Specialized Skills:

• Broad understanding of strategic planning, business development, sales, marketing finance, operations, project management and product engineering

• Excellent communication - verbal, spoken and written, presentation, influencing and facilitating skills, strong technical negotiation and interpersonal skills as a consensus builder and leader

• Evidence of strategic thinking, planning and project management skills; ability to thrive in a dynamic, time sensitive and collaborative environment

• Sound knowledge of business and management principles and practices

• Forecasting monthly sales and planning for manufacturing

Competency Measurements

· Promote Teamwork - Discourages "we vs. they" thinking. Appropriately involves others in decisions and plans that affect them. Works to remove barriers to collaboration. Seeks to understand and address the concerns and interests of others with opposing viewpoints

· Show Drive and Initiative - Does not easily give up in the face of unexpected obstacles. Sets high standard of performance for self and others. Puts in extra effort and work to accomplish critical or difficult tasks. Tackles tough challenges or problems quickly and directly

· Establish Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions. Treats others fairly and consistently. Accepts responsibility for one's own performance and actions. Confronts actions that are or border on the unethical.

· Makes Sound Decisions - Brings to bear the appropriate knowledge, information, and expertise in making decisions. Makes decisions in the face of uncertainty. Bases decisions on sound logic and rational. Makes sound decisions on complex functional issues and problems.

· Analyzes Problems – Probes and looks past symptoms to determine the underlying causes of problems and issues. Gathers and analyzes the most critical information needed to understand problems. Quickly analyzes, incorporates and applies new information and concepts. Analyzes problems and issues from different points of view. Detects inaccuracies or flaws in reasoning.

· Establish Relationships - Relates to others in an accepting and respectful manner regardless of their organizational level, personality, or background. Maintains positive relationships even under difficult or heated circumstances. Leaves others feeling better after interacting with them. Expresses own viewpoints tactfully to avoid creating unnecessary conflict. Encourages others to share information and viewpoints frankly and openly. Expresses reactions and opinions without intimidating others.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Product Management: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person