Summary:

The 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.

Principle 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 pricing

market segment size

market share estimates

key applications within the segment

features/benefits comparison of competitive products

new product opportunities

Uses 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 target

cost of sales target

technical performance criteria

target industry segment

target market applications

Formulates 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 strategy

annual forecast for current products and financial plan (margin)

recommended cost reduction programs

recommended additions, deletions and changes to the assigned product

line

new product definitions to guide the new product development process

forecast for release date, sales volume and profit levels of new products to

be released within the planning horizon

evaluation of new product standards and testing requirements and plan to

meet criteria

Plans 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 OpEx 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.

Drives 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.

Experience/Training/Education:

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with Marketing experience. A good

understanding of technical products and concepts.

Five (5) or more years of product management sales/marketing experience in a

related industries

Knowledge 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.

Desirable: Fluid power, hydraulics, instrumentation industry / product, industrial

equipment, customer interface, technical support for Engineering products.

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 skills

Good organizational skills

Ability to effectively handle multiple priorities

Ability to operate across the business and in different environments and cultures

Integrity and ethical qualities of the highest standard

Highly motivated and innovative

Team oriented

Strong IT skills

Required: Operate a computer terminal and related software programs; familiar with

Microsoft Outlook and Office. 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.)

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.