Plain Bearings Product Manager - Growth & Strategy Lead

Timken; West Deptford Township (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Timken is seeking a Product Manager - Plain Bearings in Thorofare, NJ to lead product strategy, lifecycle, and growth across the Plain Bearings portfolio. You will serve as the liaison between customers, sales, engineering, operations, and manufacturing to ensure market-aligned products.

The role drives strategic actions to improve revenue, profitability and competitive positioning while partnering with Sales and Applications Engineering on key opportunities and market intelligence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in product management, engineering sales, marketing, or industrial manufacturing environments.
• Experience working with industrial products, bearings, or related engineered products.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders.
• Strong business and commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute product strategies aligned with the Plain Bearings business objectives.
• Manage the full product lifecycle from concept through obsolescence.
• Analyze market trends, customer requirements, competitive activity, and industry developments to identify new business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain product roadmaps and growth plans.
• Recommend product rationalization, cost reduction, and portfolio optimization initiatives.
• Drive revenue growth and margin improvement for assigned product lines.
• Monitor product performance, sales trends, pricing, and profitability metrics.
• Develop business cases supporting investments, product enhancements, and market expansion opportunities.
• Partner with Sales and Applications Engineering to support key customer opportunities and strategic account growth.
• Gather and translate customer needs into product requirements and business priorities.
• Conduct market research and competitive benchmarking.
• Support customer visits, industry events, trade shows, and technical presentations.
• Identify emerging industry trends and assess potential business impacts.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales teams to execute product initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional teams supporting new product introductions and portfolio improvements.
• Coordinate product launch activities including pricing, positioning, training, and commercial readiness.
• Ensure alignment between customer requirements and internal capabilities.
• Support pricing strategy development and execution.
• Analyze financial performance, market conditions, and competitive dynamics.
• Participate in annual planning, forecasting, and budget processes.
• Develop recommendations for actions to improve market share and profitability.
• Partner with Engineering to establish product requirements and priorities.
• Support stage-gate and product development processes.
• Assist in defining product specifications, value propositions, and customer benefits.
• Ensure product offerings align with market demands and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Market analysis

Financial analysis

Project management

Communication skills

Influence without authority

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing or a related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Timken is seeking a Product Manager - Plain Bearings in Thorofare, NJ to lead product strategy, lifecycle, and growth across the Plain Bearings portfolio. You will serve as the liaison between customers, sales, engineering, operations, and manufacturing to ensure market-aligned products.

The role drives strategic actions to improve revenue, profitability and competitive positioning while partnering with Sales and Applications Engineering on key opportunities and market intelligence.