Job Description
Product Manager – Elk Grove Village, IL
$95,000 to $115,000/Annually plus bonus, full benefits
We are part of a global organization, responsible for operations in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. We strive to heighten connections to the world, connections that strengthen communication and bring people together so that we may enjoy meaningful and vibrant lives.
The
Product Manager position has a key role in developing new product lines. This position works with Sales, Marketing, and other Product Managers to analyze applicable market segments and determine specific product needs, develops an understanding of various distribution channels, and required cost structures. The
Product Manager effectively drives product development while managing critical projects and cross-functional efforts in support of the company’s product launch initiatives. The
Product Manager plays a key role in the development and delivery of product launch deliverables from inception to post launch support.
Essential Job Functions:
- Manages a product line across multiple regions or products, including a solution roadmap with prioritization across multiple markets
- Focuses on lifecycle development and management of the product line
- Industry expert as it relates to solution set
- Regular tactical and strategic interaction with development teams regarding product roadmap and deliverables
- Responsible for specifying product requirements for current and future products by conducting market research through on-going communication with customers and industry analysts
- Follows and analyzes market and competitive trends to ensure new product/functionalities meet customer needs
- Responsible for the alignment of revenue and profit within a product portfolio
- Responsible for driving the transformation of a product concept into a marketplace solution with a cross functional team that includes members from engineering, marketing, services, and finance
- Analyses potential partner relationships for sales of the product in conjunction with the solution strategy and roadmap
- Accountable for all program metrics, including development schedule, cost, unit sales, revenue, margin, product quality, market share and customer satisfaction
- Gathers, prioritizes, and documents product requirements and validates value proposition
- Supports and works directly with sales organization for product training, sales strategy, customer presentations and RFP responses
- Provides direction, content and support for product marketing efforts including trade shows, marketing programs, webinars, and sales collateral
- Conducts negotiations and discussions involving internal associates and external suppliers
- Performs competitive analysis and monitors market/technology trends
- Defines cost targets and manages cost reduction activities
- Acts as key technical interface between Sales and Product Management
- Manages ongoing resolution to identified functionality gaps
Qualifications/Skills Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing or Engineering
- Experience with a technical product a plus
- Up to 30% travel, international and some overnights
- Strong leadership and people skills required to motivate and direct a team of independent contributors from various functions including engineering, customer services, operations, supplier management and product marketing
- High energy level, good organization, and multi-tasking skills necessary to achieve constantly changing mix of short, medium, and long-term objectives
- Must be able to manage frequent interruptions in schedule to respond to sales queries, new customer opportunities and escalation of customer or supply chain issues
- Strong analytical and financial skills
- Confidence, presentation, and negotiation skills needed to interact effectively with senior management, key customers, and partners in both selling and problem-resolution scenarios