Product Manager (ConTech Lighting) Details

Product Manager (ConTech Lighting)

Leviton Manufacturing - Northbrook, IL

Employment Type : Full-Time

Overview: The successful candidate will be responsible for life-cycle product management of a portfolio of ConTech Lighting products. This includes new product development, existing product management, and product profitability based on experience and interaction with customers, spending time in the market to understand opportunities, and finding innovative solutions for the broader market. This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois.Responsibilities:

• Has direct responsibility for managing new and existing products
• Responsible for examining, developing, and recommending product strategies, inclusive of a 3-5 year roadmap
• Champions research and analysis required for new product development process including all applicable project deliverables and PAC / Gate requirements
• Takes ownership and manages all elements of the product development process, including product specification, packaging, pricing, and phase out / phase in plans
• Leads and directs project teams in the development or sustaining process to execute projects and assignments
• Responsible for generating Business Proposals and Charters for new product development
• Attends sales meetings and visits customers and end-users as required; conducts product training presentations and research
• Capable of navigating complex mainframe computer systems to quickly become proficient
• Develops and amends market and product intelligence database for his / her assigned products; shall be a source of intelligence concerning product and market specific issues, including the economy, competitors, and business trends via the Internet and appropriate trade publications
• Responsible to examine and analyze product lines' performance encompassing, but not limited to, profitability, forecasting and inventory levels
• Shall be fully knowledgeable of assigned product group and act in an advisory capacity regarding product information to Engineering, Operations, Marketing, Marketing Communications, Customer Service, Tech Line, and the sales organization
• Assists in the development of supporting new product launch material with Marketing and Marketing Communication Managers
• Maintains competitive cross reference of catalog numbers for assigned products
• Responsible to provide a level of support to the sales organization and customers on product (technical and application questions)
• Capable of managing the support activities of an Associate Product Manager and / or Project Coordinator

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or business field is required. Master's degree a plus.
• 5 years product management experience
• 2+ years' experience in lighting industry is preferred
• Experience with Commercial products and/or markets preferred

• Ability to analyze P&L statements and reports; and, make decisions to improve performance
• Experience with product line management throughout the entire life cycle
• Experience writing reports, business correspondence, and product proposals
• Experience presenting to customers, specifiers, employees, and managers
• Must be self-reliant and possess excellent oral and written communication
• Must possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy, a big-picture vision, and the drive to make that vision a reality
• Must apply critical thinking skills to determine best approach to bring new products to market and to work with engineering, operations, marketing, and sales staffs
• Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with customers
• Ability to organize and manage project teams to support the development of business opportunities and execute business decisions
• Ability to work in a highly confidential work environment; and the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Strong analytical and computer skills
• Capable of travel to attend meetings or visit customers
• A highly developed level of creative skills and resourcefulness is required
• Above average knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
• Excellent time management skills

• Up to 25% travel