Product Line Manager - Franklin, KY

Geoquest USA, Inc.; Franklin (KY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 days paid vacation, increasing with tenure

401(k) with company contribution

Medical and dental insurance

Job summary

Geoquest USA, Inc. in Franklin, Kentucky is seeking a Product Line Manager responsible for marketing strategy and product development. The PLM will collaborate with engineering, sales, and manufacturing to ensure successful product launches and market growth.

Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor's degree, relevant experience in project management, leadership, and familiarity with Agile methodologies. This is a full-time, on-site role offering competitive salary and benefits, including vacation and health insurance.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of relevant work experience, including project management experience.
• Subject Matter Expert with product innovation track record.
• Experience drafting product and market requirement documents.

Responsibilities

• Leads product development and market launch processes.
• Conducts market research to identify product needs.
• Recommends product scope and assesses market competition.

Skills

Product innovation and development expertise

Agile/Scrum methodology experience

Leadership and team management skills

Data analytics and metrics management

Strong communication and presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Master’s in engineering or MBA (plus)

Tools

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) platforms

SAP software

Job description

Location: Franklin, Kentucky – 521 Page Dr, Franklin, KY 42134, USA.

Geoquest USA, Inc. (formerly The Reinforced Earth Company) is recognized as the inventor and market leader in the MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) retaining wall industry. The company provides design and supply of proprietary retaining wall systems and earth‑related technologies to contractors and owners for use in civil engineering. Geothorn operates as a sub‑contractor/material supplier on DOT and privately owned projects, handling all duties from sales and marketing through civil engineering/design, supply, and construction support.

Summary

The Product Line Manager (PLM) reports to the CEO or VP, Commercial Sales and is responsible for the marketing strategy, product development, pricing, material availability of a designated product. The PLM works with Engineering on research and development, directs the sales team on target market and market strategy and pricing, and collaborates with manufacturing to determine product production.

Responsibilities

• Leads product development, strategy, and redesign from concept through development and manufacturing to market launch.
• Develops products by identifying potential products, conducting market research, generating product requirements, developing marketing strategies, and determining specifications, production timetables, pricing, and time-integrated plans for product introduction.
• Determines customers’ needs and desires by specifying the research needed to obtain market information.
• Recommends the nature and scope of present and future product lines by reviewing product specifications and requirements, appraising new product ideas and/or product changes.
• Assesses market competition by comparing the company’s product to competitors’ products.
• Provides source data for product line communications by defining product marketing communication objectives.
• Obtains product market share by working with VP, Sales to develop product sales strategies.
• Assesses product market data by calling on customers with field salespeople and evaluating sales call results.
• Provides information for management by preparing short-term and long-term product sales forecasts and special reports and analyses, and answering questions and requests.
• Facilitates inventory turnover and product availability by reviewing and adjusting inventory levels and production schedules.
• Brings new products to market by analyzing proposed product requirements and product development programs, preparing return‑on‑investment analyses, and establishing time schedules with engineering and manufacturing.
• Introduces and markets new products by developing time‑integrated plans with sales, advertising, and production.
• Determines product pricing by utilizing market research data, reviewing production and sales costs, anticipating volume, and costing special and customized orders.
• Works with marketing and sales departments to ensure product success and market growth.
• Identifies and manages new and existing product partnerships.
• Liaison to Universities to expand knowledge, develop innovations and participate in research.
• Present White Papers as part of marketing, industry visibility and technical development.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications and content, and participating in professional societies.
• Recruits, trains, and manages product team by planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
• Completes operational requirements and meets product development deadlines by scheduling and assigning employees, and following up on work results, including quality control and testing.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, industrial engineering, or a field tied to the product’s sector (tech, finance, etc.) required. Master’s in engineering or MBA is a plus.
• 2–3 years of relevant work experience, including project management experience.
• Experience using Agile/Scrum methodology and/or workflow management tools.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) with product innovation and development track record.
• Budgeting and purchasing experience.
• Understanding of the marketplace, technical and manufacturing know‑how.
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Data analytics and metrics management skills.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication, presentation and public speaking skills.
• Organizational, planning and documentation skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects in various stages simultaneously.
• Experience drafting product and market requirement documents.
• Familiarity with Agile work management and effective communication of complex processes.
• Experience using computer‑aided design (CAD) platforms.
• Experience using System Applications and Products (SAP) software.
• Physical requirements: must coordinate or lead employees at different levels, work in various physical positions (sitting, standing, walking, driving), and wear personal protective equipment for prolonged periods.

Benefits

• 11 days paid vacation to start, increasing to 16 days at 5 years, and 21 days at 10 years.
• 11 paid holidays.
• 401(k) with company contribution.
• Medical, dental (with orthodontia for children up to age 26), and vision insurance.

Travel Required

No. 100% on‑site position.

Geoquest USA, Inc. offers commensurate salaries and a strong benefit package including:

Geoquest USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.