Lead Product Manager / Consulting Director

We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light, and more things to come… for our customers, our communities, and our planet. 
 
Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light, and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.  
 
We are positioned at the intersection of sustainability and technology. Our businesses develop technology that helps save our customers energy and reduce their carbon emissions. We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and location-aware applications. 

Job Summary

This title of role will be Product Manager Consulting Director or Lead Product Manager dependent on candidate. This role will sustain, expand, and invigorate the industry’s leading portfolio of Infrastructure and Industrial lighting for Holophane & American Electric Lighting brands.  This leader will be required to thoroughly understand the competitive landscape, obtain voice of the customer, and develop product specifications to execute the new product development roadmap.  As such, the individual should have a strong technical or engineering background capable of interfacing closely with the product development teams.  Additionally, this leader will be responsible for supporting the manufacturing supply chain to deliver excellent service and quality.  A thorough understanding of manufacturing and operation principles is a necessity.

 

This individual will work closely with other product leaders and partners across the organization such as sales, engineering, supply chain, sourcing, and marketing.  Must be highly creative and comfortable working with a wide degree of independence and latitude.  Must be highly effective at relationship building and maintenance and this individual must thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Portfolio / Product Strategy (25%)

• Translate VOC/market opportunities into technical and actionable product design, manufacturing, and supply chain specifications to grow market share
• Collaborate with the team to develop the portfolio strategy and roadmap (i.e. situational analysis, market landscape, baseline for roadmap, etc.)
• Understand technical requirements of customer applications including lighting layouts, environmental conditions, and hazardous location classifications.
• Leverage and influence Acuity’s supply chain and sourcing strategies to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage.
• Execute the business strategy and new product roadmap
• Work with internal stakeholders to meet P&L objectives and financial goals

New Product Development (50%)

• Establish a culture of Design for Excellence (DFX) with focus on design for manufacturability, localized supply chain, late model differentiation, and cash flow optimization.
• Be a thought/design partner with engineering and supply chain in the conceptual and detailed product design.  Obtain Voice of the Customer along the design journey.
• Lead commercialization/validation of product and technology through supply chain, driving necessary supply chain transformation to deliver the industry’s best service model.
• Obtain voice of the customer to develop the new product specification, or customer experience matrix (CEM)
• Develop business cases, working with organization partners to develop detailed financial models and targets.
• Mobilize the organization during the development phase, delivering a product that meets all deliverables and escalating problems as they arise.
• Train the sales force and develop technical assets and documentation for the product launch
• Set price and manage margin based on market, trends, price bands, etc. 

Life Cycle Management (15%)

• Engage with supply chain and demand planning on the phase-in of new products
• Drive quality improvements, cost reductions, and feature enhancements for established products.
• Conduct ongoing sales, market, and competitive trend analysis to ensure the product exceeds market needs.
• Coordinate with organization partners on appropriate timing to implement end of life for existing products and work with team to transition business with minimal inventory scrap.

Organizational Connectivity (10%)

• Driving the supply chain transformation with focus factory, regional manufacturing centers, and sourcing.
• Build relationships with sales