Product Manager

Job Title: Product Manager

Location: Skokie, IL or Southfield, MI

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

JOB SUMMARY:

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:

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive and you may be required to undertake various duties as may reasonably be requested of you by the company.

• 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

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

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

1. Quick to learn and execute desired goal
2. 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