Product Management Specialist

Position Overview:

The Product Management Specialist is responsible for supporting the development and maintenance of the overall family of Knapheide products and any related activities throughout the product lifecycle from planning to execution in support of overall organizational strategies and objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Market Research and Awareness:

• Coordinate and collaborate on market research activities to track customer and end-user feedback. This includes understanding the needs of our different customer and channel groups as well as identifying consumer trends.
• Identify and monitor key competitors and have an understanding of their product offerings and key differences.
• Identify opportunities for product innovation and product enhancements and collaborate with Product Engineering and Product Development teams to implement changes to our product offerings.

Product Planning and Coordination:

• Maintain and support overall product portfolio to meet and exceed product performance and financial metrics.
• Support the long-term strategy of the product and create and maintain product roadmaps as part of Product Development planning processes.
• Prepare and maintain product documents including Product Profile and Project Scope documents to guide product strategy and development activities.
• Collaborate on pricing strategies and policies interfacing with Finance, Accounting, and Pricing Services teams.

Product Marketing Communications:

• Build, maintain, and communicate product launch plans and track the deliverables, milestones, risks and dependencies.
• Track all product releases from the product design stage through completion to ensure each project launch follows the Knapheide Marketing Communication launch process.
• Assume ownership of the Knapheide Marketing Communication launch process, continually work towards making improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness
• Communicate future, current, and past releases to the appropriate internal and external audiences through a variety of communication channels and cadences.
• Work cross-functionally to assist in the development of customer facing content including press releases, literature, websites, product guide information, newsletters, presentations for training, and trade shows.
• Provide support to internal and external sales and distribution channel partners as well as end customers with the necessary product knowledge and technical expertise.
• Develop sales tools and sales training material to support internal and external sales activities.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, Finance or equivalent experience required
• 3-5 years of applicable product knowledge in engineered industrial or transportation-related products preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Powerpoint, Excel, Word) applications required.
• MBA or advanced degree an advantage.
• Previous product planning or related experience an advantage.
• Quantitative and business analysis skills and knowledge of marketing principles and practices an advantage.
• Project Management skills an advantage.
• Position Key Competencies and Attributes for Success:
• Communication Skills
• Problem Analysis and Solving
• Strategic Thinking and Planning
• Organizational and Planning Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Creativity
• Team Player
• Customer Orientation
• Presentation Skills

Physical/Mental Requirements Needed to Perform the Essential Functions of the Position:

Must be able to perform normal office duties. May need to travel periodically by car, airplane, etc. The ability to communicate verbally and in written form. Be able to work trade shows and attend other customer events.

Current Openings for Product Management Specialist Jobs at Knapheide Manufacturing