Product Manager
Operate as a global expert for a defined product portfolio, providing expertise relating to new and existing products, customer applications and materials. Use key market and technology insights to support profitable growth and increased market share of a defined product portfolio. Constantly analyse and test assumptions to ensure strategic projects are delivered on time and in full, as well as exploring and delivering new investments and products with an attractive Return on Invested Capital (ROIC).
Measurements of Success
Specific to the defined product portfolio including new products:
- Sales / Gross Margin (DB2)
- Project deliverables – on time delivery of objectives / activities, key milestone achievement, achievement of contractual or internally defined requirements
- Market penetration and competitive positioning
Work closely with Marketing Intelligence to complete thorough competitor analysis (globally) to understand the product, company mix and technology to understand new global technology trends.
Analyse and predict market trends, to align with the future direction of the product portfolio.
Analyse the product portfolio and making recommendations regarding complexity and profitability.
Provide, co-ordinate and deliver relevant business plans for strategic projects.
Investigate customer specified needs (including the extension of existing products) to determine product feasibility. This includes material selection, product specifications and characteristics. Writing product requirements and user scenarios.
Participate in all required certification & testing procedures.
Track key performance indicators including consolidation of data from Quality, Purchasing and Controlling.
Initiate new concepts for material development by the Innovation & Technology teams.
Work closely with Innovation Technology to prepare customer proposal documentations to include Product Design-ins, project milestones and budgets.
Actively manage and support new project / product launches.
Educate and train Sales colleagues to understand product attributes and benefits. This will include creating standard presentations and delivering training to the Sales teams to build skill and knowledge in converting technical positioning into key market messages.
Provide hands-on product support to key and strategic customers.
Support Sales to find timely solutions for customers experiencing application issues.
Support Sales to ensure accurate Customer Contact information is recorded for purposes of lead generation, sales, customer training and customer service.
Consult and collaborate with Sales during the commercial decision making regarding all strategic projects. This includes Bid / No-Bid / Proposal and GO / NO GO reviews.
- Provide data to Pricing and Sales for consideration in Pricing discussions and decision making.
Provide insightful input to Controlling to support the creation of a sound, commercial Business Plan for all strategic projects.
Deliver thought leadership content across relevant communications, e.g. whitepapers, events, research publications.
Create content and work with Marketing Communications to provide relevant, accurate and accessible collateral to support advertising and customer marketing.
Provide key input to the commercial planning process.
Prioritise resources cross functionally for strategic projects.
