Product Manager, Automotive Lifts

Part of Dover Corporation’s Engineered Systems segment, Vehicle Service Group (VSG) is a strong, diverse and dynamic global leader in the vehicle service industry. VSG comprises 13 major vehicle lifting, wheel service, diagnostic and collision repair brands: Rotary Lift®, Chief®, Forward®, Direct-Lift®, Ravaglioli, Hanmecson®, Revolution®, Elektron, Blitz, Nogra, Butler, Space and Sirio.

SUMMARY:

Responsible for all elements of the product strategy for a designated product line, including creation, execution, and communication.  Also responsible for market research and product portfolio adjustments for one or more target customer/market segments.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

1. Through joint consideration and planning with Sales, Marketing, and Engineering Managers, assist in the determination and formulation of objectives, policies, and sales and marketing programs designed to achieve optimum profitability and market growth, etc.
2. Responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating product roadmaps including product branding.
3. Responsible for deeply understanding competitive dynamics in the marketplace including creation and maintaining competitive landscapes and regular collection and dissemination of competitive data.
4. Responsible for product line portfolio management from product conception to retirement.
5. Responsible for product pricing through a deep understanding of market dynamics, competitive pricing, input cost trends, margin expectations, price elasticity and channel/business complexities.
6. Responsible for executing flawless product launches and go to market plans.
7. Responsible for developing and communicating the features/benefits story for each product offering through the sales and marketing team. This includes regular review of all product related marketing collateral such as brochures, advertisements, websites, Lunati garage, etc.
8. Responsible for regularly conveying market trends, selling tactics, and competitive information to the field sales force.
9. Responsible for the regular collection and dissemination of VOC (voice of customer) input as it relates to product acceptance and future feature and/or portfolio requirements with a “whole offer” mindset.
10. Responsible for the development of sales tools to assist VSG sales team and channel partners in driving preference for VSG products.
11. Direct and, when so required, participate in market research studies, advertising and promotional development programs, sales organization development, internal control systems and procedures, sales training, customer relations programs, etc.
12. Regularly engage with market and customer influencers such as architectural firms, insurance companies, trade schools, and industry associations to build understanding and create preference for VSG products eventually leading to strong pull for VSG products and/or preferential bid specification language.
13. In conjunction with field sales organization, visit with major end-user customers in targeted segments to understand unmet needs and to promote company as a solution provider.
14. Assists in establishing priority for engineering and NPD projects.
15. Assists establishing annual sales targets. Ensure these are reached or exceeded.
16. Assists Sales and Demand Planning in the development of long-term sales forecasts through analysis and interpretation of general economics, industry, marketing and sales data, statistics, additional sales and distribution channels and sales pipeline data.
17. Assists Sales Management with regular recommendations for updates to contracts that incentivize targeted channel partners behaviors that support VSG strategies.
18. Assists Sales management through data analysis (population, vehicle registrations, etc.) to identify hot spots to replicate and dead zones to improve and to set opportunity driven metrics.
19. As required, supervise department employees.  Evaluate performance of employees in the department through formal review system and informal coaching sessions.  Recommend change of status and salary adjustments.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Key development drivers include:

• • Leads by example and demonstrates fair, firm, and consistent treatment of all employees. Builds and sustains honest relationships with staff. Manages department by interaction and clear communication. Assures a safe work environment.
  • Takes an active role in developing and facilitating desired behaviors (ethics/wo