Product Planning Directors #IN1299

Cummins; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 177,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Cummins is seeking a strategic Product Leader to steer current and future product planning across products, platforms, and markets. You will own the consolidated road map and communicate it across the organization to drive profitable growth.

Collaborate with market teams and account managers using human-centered design to shape customer-led plans, monitor trends, and articulate strong value propositions to differentiate offerings with data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Requires advanced degree in business/strategy or related field.
• Experience leading product planning and portfolio strategy.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead current and future product planning across products, platforms, and markets.
• Own total consolidated product road map and communicate across the organization.
• Develop customer-led product plans using HCD principles.
• Drive SBP processes, PPP, and Six Sigma initiatives.
• Analyze market trends and translate into value propositions.

Skills

Human-centered Design (HCD) principles

Synchronized Business Planning (SBP)

Pre-program Planning (PPP)

DMAIC/DFSS

Value proposition principles

Scenario planning

Financial indicators interpretation

Market insights research

Portfolio strategy

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Business or Strategy Management or related field

Bachelor’s degree + 6+ years experience in product/engineer roles

Job description

Responsible for leading the current and future product planning across products, platforms, and markets. Oversee and direct the establishment of products to result in profitable growth. Monitor macro, market, or technology trends, to shape the long-term product portfolio. Collaborate with Market Segment teams and Account Managers utilizing Human-centered Design (HCD) principles to understand requirements and develop customer-led product plans. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current product portfolio to set direction of future products. Own total consolidated product road map and communicate widely across the organization. Provide leadership in Synchronized Business Planning (SBP) as the owner of the Master Project List (MPL) and guide key product related decisions. Lead the Pre-program Planning (PPP) process for relevant business unit and drive customer focus Six Sigma initiatives using Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS). Develop value proposition for new products and articulate appropriate position within the portfolio. Apply principles of value proposition by interpreting internal and external customer needs based on relevant applications and explaining and demonstrating products, solutions, and services to distinguish strengths and weaknesses to meet customer's specific needs to differentiate against competition. Establish and maintain strong relationships with business leaders. Promote Product Planning Functional Excellence and best practice sharing within the business. Interpret and apply understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions. Apply knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals. Perform Product Tradeoff Evaluation by comparing and contrasting the interplay of potential product features, regulatory and customer requirements, budget, and technical capabilities to evaluate and decide what can be offered to win in the market. Engage in scenario planning by creating alternate scenarios each including an assessment of variances to business or financial goals, strategy, vision, and capabilities to enable strategic decision making. Derive market insights by researching and collecting market and competitor's product data, trends, and positioning using a variety of primary and secondary sources. Effectively prioritize future product opportunities for the portfolio to maximize business profitability. Analyze the information to develop strategic responses, propose projects and solutions, and appropriately allocate resources in order to maximize business value.

Positions require a Master’s degree in Business or Strategy Management, or related field and 4 years of experience as a Product Manager, Electronic or Systems Engineer or Technical Specialist, or related. Alternatively, the employer will accept a Bachelor’s degree in Business or Strategy Management, or related field and 6 years of experience as a Product Manager, Electronic or Systems Engineer or Technical Specialist, or related. Experience to include: Human-centered Design (HCD) principles; Synchronized Business Planning (SBP); Pre-program Planning (PPP) process; Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS); Value proposition principles; Product Planning Functional Excellence; Develop and interpret key financial indicators; Product Tradeoff Evaluation; Scenario planning; Derive market insights; Prioritizing Market Opportunities.

Start Date of Posting: 9/17/26
End Date of Posting: 10/2/27

Location: Columbus, IN

Position: ON SITE

*Annual USD Salary Minimum – Maximum

$177,091 - $225,000

Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.