Product Manager

Yaskawa America, Inc.; Miamisburg (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Yaskawa America, Inc. is seeking a Senior Product Manager to drive the complete product lifecycle from strategic planning through market launch for Motoman products. You will coordinate with product development, engineering, support, and marketing to translate strategy into actionable roadmaps and launches.

You will lead beta programs, conduct Voice of Customer research, and define compelling go-to-market strategies and product positioning. Travel to customer sites in the Americas is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or business field with at least 8 years of related experience.
• Master’s degree in Welding or MBA preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Act as solution liaison across product development, engineering, support and marketing.
• Lead beta and pilot programs with early-stage products.
• Manage the product life cycle from strategic plan to implementation and market launch.
• Specify product requirements via Voice of Customer and market research.
• Partner with marketing to define go-to-market strategy and positioning.
• Develop and implement company-wide product launch plans with related departments.
• Work with engineering to define product release requirements.
• Serve as evangelist for the product offering with sales, partners and customers.
• Help marketing communicate product vision for events and trade shows.
• Develop competitive analyses and identify partner or licensing opportunities.
• Travel to customer sites in the Americas (up to 35%), some international travel (<5%).

Skills

Voice of Customer

Market research

Go-to-market strategy

Product lifecycle management

Executive communication

Cross-functional leadership

Travel planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Material Science and Engineering

Master’s degree in Welding or MBA

MBA

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Support pre- and post-development activities of assigned Motoman products by acting as a solution liaison for the organization including product development, engineering, customer support and marketing.
• Lead beta and pilot programs with early-stage products and samples
• Manage the entire product life cycle from translation of the strategic plan to developing an implementation road map to tactical market launch activities.
• Specify product requirements by conducting Voice of Customer and other market research supported by on-going visits to customers and potential future customers.
• Partner with marketing communications to define the go-to-market strategy, including product positioning, key benefits, and target customers.
• Develop and implement a company-wide product launch plan, working with all related departments to execute
• Work with an engineering counterpart to define product release requirements.
• Serve as the internal and external evangelist for product offering, working closely with sales, channel partners and key customers.
• Work with and/or support Marketing to communicate and drive the vision of the product line for all tradeshows and key external and internal events.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of competitive products and maintain technical analysis of competitive strengths and weaknesses.
• Analyze and suggest potential partner relationships, and licensing opportunities
• This position requires travel to customer and non-customer sites in the Americas (up to 35%). Limited international travel may be required (<5%).

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Material Science and Engineering, Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business/Economics with comparable industry experience in a technical role and a minimum of 8 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's of Science degree in Welding or MBA preferred.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES

Must have excellent ability and vision to discern customer needs and market trends within the defined market responsibilities. Requires a unique blend of business and technical savvy; a big-picture vision, and the drive to make that vision a reality.

Excellent written communication skills for writing market plans, product analysis, sale's collateral and influencing internal communication.

Excellent verbal communication skills required for customer presentations and selling new ideas to management.

Excellent organizational skills required to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Excellent human relations skills required to coordinate broad organizational issues to meet the financial targets of the market segment.

Knowledge in database information management, and interpretation of data, and creation of reports and tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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.