Product Manager

Brightpath Associates LLC; Illinois; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in the United States is seeking a mid-senior level Product Manager. This role requires managing customer relationships and pricing strategies while conducting market research. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business and at least 5 years of relevant experience are necessary. Strong communication skills and technical aptitude are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience required.
• Self-starter and independent decision maker.
• Proven versatility in strategic and tactical business planning.

Responsibilities

• Manage pricing strategies aligned with market goals.
• Assist in the forecast process and technology integration.
• Conduct market research for new applications.

Skills

Project leadership skills

Strong communication skills

Customer service skills

Technical aptitude

SWOT analysis techniques

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Material Sciences, or Business

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Overview

The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are not all encompassing. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned consistent with business requirements.

Responsibilities

• Proactively work and interact with territory managers, regional sales management and general management to build effective communication linkages.
• Participate in product training sessions, regional sales meetings and other company operational meetings as required.
• Will have Commercial responsibility for some specific large impact customers.
• Assist/Advise on the forecast process improvement and technology integration.
• Participate in setting annual sales forecasts and associated budgets.
• Work with management to effectively coordinate raw material sourcing, pricing, pricing resets, price gaps, and price page modifications based on post cost data and inventory requirements.
• Manage inventory control, forecasting of stock levels, JIT programs, layout routings, and consignments.
• Align pricing strategies based on current market and company goals and objectives.
• Facilitate relationship development, lead projects, and communications with key accounts for market/targeted application growth.
• Mentor, train, and advise Sales group on pricing strategies and standard work procedures.
• Participate and coach A3 teams on lean principles, process improvements, and efficiencies to meet company goals and objectives.
• Perform cost analysis on quotations, order entry, pre-costs, and where relevant, post-costs, direct changes where necessary to meet gross margin and profit objectives.
• Utilize the most current technology (i.e., Power BI) to research, identify, and analyze business trends in sales, marketing, and profitability opportunities.
• Partner with Marketing in pursuit of new opportunities.
• Initiate process to analyze customer complaint data, resolve technical, quality, delivery, credit or other issues related to customer satisfaction.
• Partner with sales to create, manage and strengthen customer relationships to drive objectives including targeted blue sheet opportunities.
• Facilitate/Organize quarterly Management Review and Post Cost Team meetings.
• Participate at Trade Shows as assigned and develop appropriate follow-up techniques for contacts and inquiries resulting from Trade Shows.
• Keep abreast of current industry and market conditions, buying trends and competitors, and effectively recommend and take advantage of sales and marketing opportunities.
• Conduct market research on any and all new applications to support either the addition of any capital equipment, define potential and costs, and to expand our opportunity for business in the marketplace.
• Identify new application opportunities within, or outside of, current capabilities and determine the viability of the opportunity through a commercial filtering process.
• Follow the product development process on all new product orders, acting as liaison between manufacturing and the customer.
• Analyze products, end uses, and manufacturing methods, including customer manufacturing methods.
• Regular attendance at work is required.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Material Sciences, or Business is preferred, plus a minimum of 5 years of industry experience.
• Strong understanding of competitive and SWOT analysis techniques.
• Strong understanding of metals/foils industry capabilities and applications.
• Demonstrated project leadership skills from concept through implementation supporting cross-functional business needs.
• The ability and willingness to make ethical, business decisions within the scope of knowledge with the ability to be persuasive; energetic, focused, with sense of urgency. Proven versatility in strategic and tactical business planning.
• Self-starter and independent decision maker.
• Effective communication skills – verbal, written, presentation; intermediate skills with MS Office, Excel and marketing databases.
• Strong customer service skills; a strong technical aptitude.
• Solid background with product development from inception to completion is required.
• Travel as required.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Product Management

Industries

• Primary Metal Manufacturing