Chore-Time Product Manager

CTB, Inc.; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural technology company in Indiana is seeking a Product Manager to oversee product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle. This role involves defining the product strategy, working closely with various departments, and ensuring market success. Candidates should have a Bachelor's Degree, significant experience in product management or engineering, and strong leadership skills. The position requires up to 50% travel, including international trips, making it an exciting opportunity for dynamic professionals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3+ years of product-related experience.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering, product management, or marketing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define the long-term product strategy and roadmap.
• Communicate the product strategy to all relevant stakeholders.
• Act as a proactive leader for improving product development.

Skills

Research and development

Project management

Excellent communication

Leadership

Technical aptitude

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Technical or Engineering discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Standard office equipment

Job description

Job Description

Overall Purpose: Why the Job Exists & What You Will Do: The Product Manager is responsible for the product planning and execution throughout the Product Lifecycle, including gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with engineering, sales, marketing and manufacturing to ensure revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met. The Product Manager's job also includes ensuring that the product supports the company’s overall strategy and goals.

Essential Job Functions & Expected Outcomes: Your Accountabilities in the Role

• Define the long-term product strategy and roadmap for the assigned product lines with a global perspective.
• Communicate the product strategy to all relevant stakeholders.
• Act as a proactive leader for improving the product development process and taking products to market, improving the concept-to-release date timeline.
• Develop external supplier sources to satisfy product needs not met by CTB’s and other BUs.
• Identify targeted products & markets for growth.
• Oversee prototype and testing programs with early-stage products and samples.
• Monitor and evaluate the competitive products in the market.
• Provide recommendations on corresponding patent and trademark protection opportunities.
• Demonstrate proven ability to manage and influence cross‑functional teams without formal authority.
• Act as a leader within the company.
• Manage from concept, to design, sample production, testing, forecasting, cost, production, promotion, support, and finally product end of life.
• Deliver the operating plan: the achievement of growth objectives including market share, revenue, profit, and return on investment for all assigned product lines.
• Coordinate marketing activities with Global Marketing Director activities through research, strategic planning, and implementation.

Job Criteria

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree with 3 or more years of product‑related experience. Technical or engineering discipline; or an equivalent of education and experience.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in engineering, product management or marketing, preferably in the agriculture market.
• Certification(s): N/A
• Functional Skills: Proven ability to research, develop, plan and execute sales initiatives; excellent organization and project‑management skills; proactive and decisive leader; experience in on‑site training of company staff, customers and distributors; ability to provide industry seminars on segment topics.
• Technology Aptitude/Skills: Strong PC, Microsoft Office, with the technical aptitude to understand how to assemble, troubleshoot and repair mechanical or electrical equipment.
• Language Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication and strong presentation skills required.
• Leadership/Behaviors: Self‑motivated, possessing a drive to compete and succeed; energetic, honest, ability to listen, network, and influence others; models high ethical standards.
• Culture Match Behaviors: Collaborative, team‑player with the ability to interact with other personnel and cultures.

Core Values that Apply to All Positions

• Integrity in all things
• Customers are why we exist
• Profitability is a must
• Excellence in all we do
• People make the difference

Equipment Used

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The role will also regularly visit poultry houses and use hand tools.

Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Functions

• Ability to sit and operate a motor vehicle as needed for travel in the role.
• Ability to stand for up to 4‑8 hours in one session.
• Ability to sit at a desk for 4+ hours per day.
• Ability to operate keyboard and view computer screen for majority of day (4+ hours).
• Ability to write ideas/information in a logical flow for 4+ hours per day.
• Ability to read and respond on an on‑going basis daily due to nature of the work, throughout the day.
• Ability to communicate with others via phone, in‑person, and computer on‑going.
• Ability to listen to customers, problem‑solve, and respond accordingly.
• Ability to read, write and speak English fluently.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, kneel, squat, twist, push, pull, stoop, crouch, and carry items frequently.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. sporadically.

Environmental Conditions & Travel

• The employee is primarily exposed to a normal office environment with moderate noise. The employee is occasionally required to wear suitable personal protective equipment while visiting manufacturing departments.
• This position will regularly travel to poultry houses.
• Travel: up to 50% travel is required, including international travel.