Product Director - Commercial Vehicle Brakes

Company Description

Join our vertically integrated team at MAT Holdings, Inc., a leading global manufacturer with a 40-year history. We're proud to provide employment opportunities for more than 14,000 employees across 12 countries. Headquartered in Long Grove, Illinois, we have over 40 factories on three continents, including 2.1 million square feet of U.S. distribution and manufacturing space.

You will find our products in home improvement centers, big box retailers, hardware stores and automotive chains. They're in the cars you drive, the trailers you tow, and the heavy-duty machinery you operate.

MAT can maintain consistent expertise and solutions across the entire supply chain. We’re experts in engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, logistics and distribution, marketing, design, and customer service — we don't just make it happen, we ensure it happens with excellence.

We’re more than manufacturing, we’re MAT.

Join MAT HD, a leader in heavy-duty braking solutions for commercial vehicles. We partner with distributors, fleet operators, and OEMs to deliver reliable, high-quality brake components that keep trucks and buses safely on the road. Our portfolio includes new and remanufactured brake shoes, brake shoe kits, air disc pads, calipers, rotors and hubs engineered for durability and performance. If you’re seeking a challenging leadership role in a company that values innovation, operational excellence, and customer success, MAT HD is the place for you.

Benefits

• MAT Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries offer a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
• Career Advancement Program, training and development
• Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Voluntary Life / AD&D , Employer Provided Life/AD&D
• and More

Job Description

We are seeking a strategic and analytically driven Product Director to lead the development, expansion, and commercial performance of our Commercial Vehicle brake portfolio. This role owns the full product lifecycle—from concept and business case creation through PPAP qualification, launch execution, pricing strategy, and ongoing portfolio optimization—while ensuring competitive positioning and strong margin performance across OE, OES, and Aftermarket channels. The ideal candidate brings deep CV brake expertise, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, and customer teams to drive successful program execution and deliver sustained business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Product Lifecycle Ownership

• Lead the full lifecycle of new product introductions (NPI), including concept development, feasibility analysis, business case creation, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Drive execution through all phases of development: engineering, tooling, validation, PPAP, pilot builds, launch readiness, and post‑launch performance.
• Ensure all new and existing products meet OE and Aftermarket qualification standards, including full PPAP documentation and compliance.

• Maintain a multi‑year product roadmap aligned with market trends, customer needs, and strategic growth priorities.

Program Management & Execution

• Serve as the program owner for major customer initiatives, ensuring on‑time delivery, cross‑functional coordination, and commercial success.
• Lead program reviews, risk assessments, and mitigation planning with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Manage product changes, cost‑downs, VA/VE initiatives, and continuous improvement activities.

Pricing Strategy, Quote & Margin Management

• Own pricing strategy for the entire CV brake portfolio across all customer segments: OE, OES, WD, Retail, Buying Groups, and Fleets.
• Develop and maintain a balanced price architecture that aligns competitiveness, channel dynamics, and margin requirements.
• Conduct margin analysis, cost modeling, and scenario planning to support pricing decisions and customer negotiations.
• Lead customer quote responses, including cost breakdowns, value propositions, and commercial justification.

Customer Program Leadership

• Act as the primary commercial interface for product‑related discussions with key customers.
• Manage customer program launches, product transitions, and ongoing performance reviews.
• Support sales teams with product experti