POSITION OVERVIEW

The role of product development manager is to identify opportunities, maximize and grow the assigned product line to meet the financial and strategic goals of the Portfolio Management Group, and the organization. The product development manager will work with all functional groups in the organization while managing the products in the line through the product life cycle from start to finish.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyze the market for new products needed, or adjustments to existing products, to satisfy customer requests while achieving the strategic goals of the Portfolio Management Group and reporting out to the organization.
• Determine customer needs and desires by specifying the research needed to obtain market information.
• Plan the present and future of the product line by reviewing product specifications and requirements, appraising new product ideas and/or product or changes.
• Review list of potential projects and select the best projects that fit within the financial constraints of the organization, and provide recommendations to Portfolio Group.
• Assess market competition by comparing the company's existing product to all competitive options.
• Obtain product market share by working with sales directors to develop product sales strategies.
• Assess product market data by calling on customers with field sales representatives and evaluating sales call results.
• Provide source data for product line communications by defining product marketing communication objectives.
• Provide information for management by preparing short-term and long-term product sales forecasts and special reports and analyses.
• Facilitate inventory turnover and product availability by reviewing and adjusting forecast levels based on customer feedback, seasonality and market needs.
• Bring new products to market by analyzing proposed product requirements and product development programs, preparing return-on-investment analyses, and establishing time schedules with engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales.
• Introduce and market new products by developing time-integrated plans with sales, marketing, and purchasing.
• Determine product pricing by utilizing market research data, reviewing production and sales costs, anticipating volume, and costing special and customized orders.
• Complete operational requirements within the product management systems as well as handling quality issues, scheduling and planning with other departmental resources and following up on work results.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks and participating in professional societies.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• BS in Engineering or Business, and/or 5+ years of experience in the automotive aftermarket or similar industry desired.
• Successful experience working in cross-functional teams to complete projects.
• Ability to manage larger, initiative-style projects as via charters and project management skills.
• Proficiency in Sage X3, ARAS, Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word, plus ability to learn any other internal software or systems.