Product Manager

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Support pre- and post-development activities of assigned Motoman products by acting as a solution liaison for the organization including product development, engineering, customer support and marketing.
• Lead beta and pilot programs with early-stage products and samples
• Manage the entire product life cycle from translation of the strategic plan to developing an implementation road map to tactical market launch activities.
• Specify product requirements by conducting Voice of Customer and other market research supported by on-going visits to customers and potential future customers.
• Partner with marketing communications to define the go-to-market strategy, including product positioning, key benefits, and target customers.
• Develop and implement a company-wide product launch plan, working with all related departments to execute
• Work with an engineering counterpart to define product release requirements.
• Serve as the internal and external evangelist for product offering, working closely with sales, channel partners and key customers.
• Work with and/or support Marketing to communicate and drive the vision of the product line for all tradeshows and key external and internal events.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of competitive products and maintain technical analysis of competitive strengths and weaknesses.
• Analyze and suggest potential partner relationships, and licensing opportunities
• This position requires travel to customer and non-customer sites in the Americas (up to 35%). Limited international travel may be required (<5%).

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Material Science and Engineering, Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business/Economics with comparable industry experience in a technical role and a minimum of 8 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s of Science degree in Welding or MBA preferred.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES

Must have excellent ability and vision to discern customer needs and market trends within the defined market responsibilities. Requires a unique blend of business and technical savvy; a big-picture vision, and the drive to make that vision a reality.

Excellent written communication skills for writing market plans, product analysis, sale’s collateral and influencing internal communication.

Excellent verbal communication skills required for customer presentations and selling new ideas to management.

Excellent organizational skills required to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Excellent human relations skills required to coordinate broad organizational issues to meet the financial targets of the market segment.

Knowledge in database information management, and interpretation of data, and creation of reports and tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.