Technology Research Manager jobs in Elkhart, IN

Overview

Dexter is the premier manufacturer and supplier of axles, suspension, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts, accessories, and towing components serving the commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets has an opportunity for a Product Manager at our manufacturing facility located in Elkhart, Indiana.

Overview:

Plans, organizes, and controls assigned product launches from conceptual stages to optimize profit and meet marketing, financial, and corporate growth objectives. The assigned product launches will mostly originate from Dexter Engineering’s Innovation Team and require skill sets in both technical engineering and strategic selling.

Assists from incubation through product launch of Dexter Engineering’s Innovation team future products. This position will also include seeking out future product solutions, and contribute to design/development, product packaging, marketing, selling strategies, and customer interaction.

Position Summary

Contribute towards development of advanced technology products with Dexter Engineering’s Innovation team

• Participates in overall product strategy, research and development requirements, development, and manufacturing coordination for new and emerging products
• Coordinates technical product development, estimates of potential profits, and release to production
• Conducts marketing analysis to develop product definitions
•  Analyzes new product opportunities and market conditions through trade shows, customer visits and field research
• Develops and maintains a prioritized list of customer and market requirements for product
• Provides financial and technical justification for product selection and definition
• Produces competitive analysis materials comparing product with its key competitors
• Assists in product development objectives and schedules for all phases of product development and introduction to market

Contribute towards packaging and marketing development of assigned advanced technology products

• Coordinates and develops marketing, sales, engineering, and financial plans for product launches
• Works with marketing communications, purchasing, engineering and outside vendors to develop packaging that is cost effective and appropriate for product launches
•  Develops product training tools and information to teach and educate customers and other departments with Dexter
• Develops sales incentives and customer promotions for product launches
• Plans and manages the market roll out of assigned advanced technology products
• Provides technical expertise and training to other departments in support of product development
• Participates in key meetings with sales representatives and customers related to current product launches and future developments
• Reports monthly on product launch status and new product performance. Explains positive/negative variances and suggestions action to correct negative sales variances
• Performs other tasks or duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Skills:

• Experience and expertise in system/product design, engineering, and technical development
• Demonstrated high level of strategic agility and desire to work in a complex and evolving environment and an innovation mindset
• 7 years of previous technology development experience
• Comfort working in a fast-paced start-up technology environment is essential
• Creative mindset with a relentless focus on continuous improvement
• Collaborates with a wide variety of functional areas such as sales, engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and operations to develop and provide product definitions responsive to customer needs and market opportunities
•  Assist teams in investigating opportunities to leverage core Dexter technology, and bring technical expertise to support new products, new growth areas and portfolio diversification
• Represent Dexter at relevant internal and external events – industry conferences, technology trade shows, partner / vendor site visits, product demonstrations, and seminars to supplant Dexter as a thought leader in the trailer industry
• Customer-focused and dynamic aspiring to thrive in Dexter’s fast-paced, and demanding work environment loaded with competing priorities and deadlines
• Willing to travel as necessary to execute responsibilities of the position

Education:

Requires Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a comparable discipline and at least 7 year related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

We care for our people.  Here are some of our great, comprehensive Benefits:

• Dexter offers a competitive wage
• Full benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA
• 3% profit sharing in our Safe Harbor program
• 401(k) Plan with company contributions
• Opportunities for internal career development and growth

Apply now to join an industry leader and make a difference in what we do for the customers we serve!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screen. Dexter Axle Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Work Authorization

Dexter will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada. This position does not provide sponsorship. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 (including those with OPT or CPT), H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.