Product Manager

Day-to-day responsibility for managing product line. Manage and own New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Product Line Introductions (NPLI) including creating, progressing, and completing projects in a timely and high-quality way. Determining the product line coverage, specifications, pricing strategy and time-integrated plans for product introductions.

Job Responsibilities:

• Perform detailed research of the OE and aftermarket competitors’ catalogues, interchanges, pricing, and component information to support gap analysis and new part additions.
• P&L ownership and responsibility for growth and profitability of desired product line.
• Support Program Management with launching of new product extension and product introductions.
• Understanding of desired product line, trends and support needed to support the team.
• Maintain competitor interchange files.
• Liaise with the Purchasing / Engineering Dept as appropriate for new product introduction (NPI).
• Create files for individual customer load templates.
• Analyze global sales data to determine areas of focus and margin improvement.
• Assist with and respond to product and coverage inquiries submitted by the global sales team and customers.
• Support quality and warranty teams to manage and resolve customer complaints.
• Create and maintain SAP part data including NPI load templates, life-cycle management, country of origin, BOMs, material determinations.
• Support the New Item Investigation (NII) process in FileMaker Pro.
• Preparation of new product and product support material including bulletins.
• Aid in the management of products throughout all stages of product life cycle, from opportunity identification, development, and release of New Part Introduction (NPI) to post-release activities including stock category changes and deletions.
• Assist purchasing with resourcing activities as appropriate to ensure a competitive cost base.
• Support supply chain team to manage and resolve supply chain issues (MOQs).
• Assist catalog team to with application loads, image creation, and other attributes needed to improve on-line presence and grow sales.

Key Interfaces

• Internal – Product Director, Product Manager, Engineering, Data Content Manager, Technical Services, Brand Manager, Sales, Customer Service, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Operations.
• External – Customers, External Suppliers.

Education

• Degree level education in Business Management, Engineering, Automotive Technical, Supply Chain Management, Marketing or similar field.

Experience

• Experience in product management or a similar product related environment, automotive and/or replacement parts background.
• Knowledge of automotive products and repairs is preferred.

Requirements / Certifications

• Database knowledge essential, PBI skills useful.
• Personal interest in the automotive industry and a good level of vehicle/engine knowledge preferred (although not essential).
• Excellent computer and analytical skills with thorough knowledge of MS Office.
• SAP experience preferred but not required.

Physical Demands

• Ability to respond to and meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
• Must be able to work under pressure with a methodical approach.
• Well organized with a keen eye for detail.
• Quick to learn and execute desired goal.
• Collaborative and a self-starter.

Work Environment

• The attitude and will to want to make a difference.
• Problem solver and innovative thinker.
• Willingness to travel.

Other Duties

Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be required.