Ink Product Manager (Ypsilanti, MI)

Kinsley Power Systems; Ypsilanti (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in printing technologies is seeking an experienced Ink Product Manager. The role focuses on managing the ink product line, ensuring market success, and collaborating across R&D, marketing, and sales. Ideal candidates will have 5-7 years of product management experience, a degree in Chemistry or related field, and proven success in industrial markets. This opportunity requires strong analytical skills, a commercial mindset, and the ability to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of product management experience, especially in ink or related chemical products.
• Proven track record of launching and managing products in industrial markets.
• Strong commercial mindset and ability to analyze business trends.

Responsibilities

• Manage the ink product line to achieve growth and profitability goals.
• Develop and manage pricing tactics and strategies to support product growth.
• Conduct voice of customer research to drive product line roadmap.

Skills

Product management

Ink technology expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

EFI is looking for an Ink Product Manager in our Ypsilanti, MI office (preferred location, but open to other locations worldwide with frequent travel to Ypsilanti). In this role you will lead the development, lifecycle management, and market success of our ink product portfolio. This role is ideal for an experienced product manager with deep expertise in ink technologies, customer‑centric innovation, and cross‑functional collaboration. You will be responsible for driving EFI’s ink product line strategy, defining roadmaps, and ensuring alignment with customer needs and business goals. This role requires a strong blend of technical understanding, market insight, and business acumen.

What you will do:

• Manage the ink product line (revenue, margin, working capital, portfolio, share with key partners, etc.); take actions necessary to achieve growth and profitability goals working closely with printer product management and sales.
• Establish and drive stand‑alone OEM ink business selling ink to other printer OEMs working with sales.
• End‑to‑end product lifecycle management to minimize / reduce SKUs and leverage ink platforms.
• Develop and manage price positioning, pricing tactics, including ongoing support, trade‑in programs, bundling, etc. working with printer product management and sales.
• Responsible for the rolling 18‑month forecast to support SIOP.
• Work with R&D, Marketing, Sales, and other cross‑functional groups to ensure successful product commercialization.
• Drive printer ink security requirements for EFI‑branded printers in the printer commercialization process to ensure all EFI printers are protected with a robust ink security system.
• Analyze customer trends and buying patterns to develop strategies to support growth.
• Conduct voice of customer research to drive future product line roadmap.
• Research market trends, highlight key value propositions, and translate these into key product specifications.
• Understand market requirements (MRD) and support the definition of product concept and requirements (PRD) that meet customer needs.
• Support decisions on trade‑offs with respect to time, features, resources, and quality to meet the business objectives.
• Monitor and respond to external factors including competition, market, and technology trends.
• Analyze and benchmark competitive products across the business unit product line, monitor competitive activity, and identify customer needs; make adjustments as necessary.
• Be the ultimate advocate and field resource, helping sales maximize revenue and market share.

This role may be a good fit if you have:

• Bachelor’s degree (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field preferred); MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of product management experience, with at least 2 years in ink or related chemical products serving an industrial capital equipment business.
• Proven track record of launching and managing successful products in industrial markets.
• Strong commercial mindset and demonstrated results working with sales.
• Familiarity with or ability to quickly come up to speed on ink formulations, printing experience with digital printing, packaging, or specialty inks.
• Familiarity with sustainability trends and regulatory requirements in ink manufacturing.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Ability to be forward thinking; analyze and track the business knowing when to make changes; ability to develop creative solutions and innovative product ideas to continue to deliver the forecast and strategic goals.
• Experience creating a business plan resulting in successful investment to develop the product.
• Leadership skills with the ability to influence the priorities of other functions to deliver strong business results.
• Team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively across geographies and cultures.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

EFI is an “Affirmative Action/EEO/Protected Veteran/Disabled Employer”.