Product Marketing Manager, Trailer & Bus

Req ID 69047 | Auburn Hills, United States

About the Team: 

The Bus & Trailer product line team supports a diverse customer portfolio with ZF heavy duty steer/drive axles, automatic transmissions, HVAC control systems, door control systems, ACE trailer products, trailer braking, and trailer suspension systems. The ideal candidate will lead activities with key stakeholders at all levels throughout the organization and in the North American Bus & Trailer Product Line to own all product and market-related tasks for the portfolio with existing and potential new customers. This dynamic and versatile team with a wide range of products and applications will be the ideal candidate's backbone of support to ensure current and future market success.  Support from the product line leads all the way down to production supervisors will be available to ensure our success in the commercial vehicle Bus & Trailer market.  The product line team all shares a common goal; to make commercial vehicles / fleets more efficient, safe, connected, intelligent, and automated in their operating environment. At ZF CVS, we move it!

 

What you can look forward to as a Product Marketing Manager: 

• Analyze global and regional customer requirements (RFQ/RFI) to ensure alignment with overall Product Line strategy, prepares with stakeholders bid strategy and provide marketing input required for RFQ/RFI response to maximize chance for sustainable business award.
• Create and maintain an understanding of Product Line’s market, market position and portfolio offering, as well as know competitor offerings, Unique Selling Propositions (USPs) & Value Propositions (i.e., drive benchmarking).
• Explore, strategize, and obtain new businesses with existing and new customers and implement strategies consistent with Product Line’s short & long-term goals.
• Owning and mastering complete product / service life cycle, including supporting change management tasks (i.e., supplier / process changes, design changes).
• Work with Key Account Managers to educate Fleet and OEM customers on advantages of ZF products with end goal of having these products written into their vehicle bid specifications. Support Key Accounts and Regions, aid in identifying & pursuing potential business opportunities at OEMs and Bus fleets.
• Review and develop product line Strategic Plan (SP), data mine the key financial metrics, and align sales outlook with Key Account Teams. Contribute to compelling Product Line’s SP presentation to ZF Leadership on (assumed) sales projection. Translate SP into locally executable plans.
• Translate USPs and Value Propositions from Strategy Development into specific messaging to customers and markets for powerful market launch and product promotion.
• Assist in the management of the NA Bus OE business development activities (“Hunt”) for all transmission, conventional axle systems & HVAC/Door control products & services as well as other technologies outside the Product Line.
• Track performance of portfolio (i.e., net sales evolution, outperformance, margin, raw material evolution) and initiate activities when appropriate to keep sustainable business.
• Actively participate in relevant trade shows & panels pertaining to the commercial vehicle / transportation industry. Active member in the APTA organization (American Public Transportation Association), other pertinent organizations, and maintain working knowledge of rules & regulations facing the public transportation and commercial vehicle industries.

 

Your Profile as a Product Marketing Manager: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Technology or Business Management required (Master’s Degree preferred).
• Previous experience in bus industry (transit, coach, school, RV). Previous experience in the trailer transportation and/or commercial vehicle industry is preferred. 
• Minimum of 5-6 years’ experience in the automotive industry with experience in product lifecycle management, strategy, and product marketing.
• Capability to develop a deep understanding of working principle of products / services and being able to clearly communicate/present products and its USPs & Value Propositions.
• Solid understanding of basic business economics.  Drive for results, finance know-how, business case leadership & strategy understanding.
• Ability to build and maintain trustful business relationships.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and interact with different parts of the organization as well as outside of the organization (i.e. customers).
• Marketing skills or affinity to develop product / customer tailored marketing materials.

 

Why you should choose ZF in Auburn Hills?
•    A supportive collaborative team environment
•    Annual Incentive Plan