Product Manager (m/w/d)

Villeroy Boch; Mettlach; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Villeroy & Boch invites you to join as a Category Manager focused on Taps & Fittings. You will drive a 2–5 year product strategy, steer end-to-end launches, and align cross-functional teams including R&D, regional commercial units, and marketing to deliver compelling products.

You will analyze markets, identify trends, and develop NPD briefs to translate insights into profitable growth. Fluency in English is required; German is a plus.

Qualifications

• University degree in a related field (Business/Engineering/Marketing).
• At least 5 years of practical experience in product or brand management.
• Strong financial acumen: pricing, margins, DB1, and business cases.
• Ability to read technical drawings and collaborate with design/engineering teams.
• Fluent English; German knowledge is a plus; MS Office and SAP experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Define 2–5 year product strategy for taps & fittings across markets.
• Lead end-to-end product launches, managing cross-functional initiatives.
• Coordinate lifecycle management with R&D, regional teams, and marketing.
• Conduct market and trend analyses and translate findings into NPD briefs.

Skills

Fluent English

Structured problem-solving

Team player

Education

University degree in Business Administration / Economics / Engineering / Industrial Engineering / Marketing

Tools

MS Office (Excel)

SAP

Job description

Shape & Create - And make it happen!

The Villeroy & Boch Group with its Ideal Standard brand is one of the world’s leading manufacturers in the ceramics and lifestyle sector. With our innovative and stylish products from the Dining & Lifestyle and Bath & Wellness segments, we have been creating moments and rooms to feel good in since 1748. Our success is based on the passion, design expertise and innovative strength of our more than 13,000 employees in 42 countries.

Want to become part of us? #shapeandcreate

Your Role & Responsibilities

• Category Management: Execute the 2–5 year product strategy for Taps & Fittings across assigned markets, aligning with regional brand, portfolio, and commercial strategies. Take co-accountability for profitability (DB1), turnover, and volume development.
• End-to-End Product Launches: Steer product concepts that balance superior design, smart functionality, ergonomics, and regional usability. Own the business case throughout the stage-gate process and manage cross-functional launch initiatives across Retail, E-Commerce, and Project channels.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Lifecycle Management: Serve as the central link between Technical R&D, Regional Commercial teams, and Marketing. Steer lifecycle modifications (local compliance, quality, value engineering, feature upgrades) and initiate targeted sales and promotional measures.
• Market & Trend Intelligence: Conduct structured market, competitor, and trend analyses. Identify consumer behavior patterns, smart bathroom innovations, and emerging technologies, translating them into actionable New Product Development (NPD) briefs.

What You Bring

• Educational Background: University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.
• Professional Experience: At least 5 years of practical experience in product or brand management—ideally managing complex, technical, or design-oriented industrial products.
• Commercial & Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial planning, trade marketing, pricing structures, and business case modeling (DB1, margins, volume).
• Technical & Design Affinity: Ability to read technical drawings, understand industrial production processes, and collaborate effectively with designers and engineers.
• Working Style & Mindset: High initiative, structured problem-solving attitude, and flexibility in a dynamic environment. Strong team player with a clear drive to get things done.
• Tools & Languages: Very good MS Office skills (particularly Excel); SAP experience is an advantage. Fluent English is essential; German language skills are a plus

Think outside the box with us! #shapeandcreate