Product Manager - Controllers

We are seeking a talented, motivated individual to join our company as a Product Manager with a focus on our Controllers product line. The Product Manager is primarily responsible for launching, positioning, promoting, and supporting assigned products in the US market. The Product Manager contributes to products' lifecycle management through consultation with associated product management teams in Germany and the Americas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Support - Sales and Service

Serve as the leading technical expert on assigned product(s) to support Sales and Service in our pursuit of business growth. Specific activities supporting this responsibility include:

• Educate the sales force in product features, benefits, unique selling propositions, demonstration techniques, etc. Identify, develop and deliver training as needed.
• Educate the Sales and Service departments (internal and external) on correct product application, specification, troubleshooting, etc. Identify, develop and deliver training as needed.
• Consult on product application opportunities and issues; evaluate and recommend solutions; leverage these situations to develop employees' knowledge
• Visit important customers to perform application reviews, training, and troubleshooting
• Consult on large Capex project opportunities to recommend cost-effective and technically acceptable products that place VEGA in a winning position

Support - Other

• Provide assistance to Quality, Production and other departments as needed where product and market knowledge is required to resolve issues, plan production/inventory, etc.
• Support the Order Fulfillment Group to ensure that CRM and MRP structures are in place to effectively sell and produce the product.
• Work with strategic vendors to assure alignment and facilitate communications, troubleshooting, project implementation, etc. as needed.

Projects

Lead the organization in a variety of projects as needed. Examples include:

• Implement US production of specific instruments
• Local sourcing of accessories
• US product compliance testing
• Leading sales growth initiatives
• Others on request

Market Awareness and Analysis

Observe, study and analyze the products' markets, and recommend actions to counter threats and capture opportunities. Specific activities supporting this responsibility include:

• Observe and track competitive moves (new products, pricing, strategic changes, etc.)
• Analyze product sales performance (unit volume); identify gaps, possible threats, and opportunities
• Meet customers to explore needs and preferences (plant visits, trade shows, etc.)
• Participate in professional organizations (trade associations or standards bodies) to understand shifts in technical requirements or technology preferences; influence favorable outcomes for VEGA where feasible
• Define and prioritize required product approvals and certifications
• Evaluate the need and benefits of bringing instrument production to VEGA Americas
• Communicate findings and recommendations to Sales Management
• Maintain strong relationships with German Product Management peers to share information and collaborate on product lifecycle management

Product Marketing

Project VEGA's expertise outside the company by educating customers on VEGA's technological advantages and benefits. Specific activities supporting this responsibility include:

• Collaborate with German Product Management and US Marketing to plan and execute product launches as required
• Create and deliver presentations and product demos at major trade shows/conferences
• Create and deliver customer webinars and training
• Work with the marketing department to create marketing collateral such as LinkedIn posts, email campaign messaging, white papers, videos, etc.
• Develop and improve sales demos and trade show models

Product Lifecycle Management

Identify market needs, collect requirements, and define the technical specifications for new products. Evaluate product lifetime performance and recommend termination when appropriate. Provide coordination/leadership for all Product Development phases.

This position requires out of market overnight travel 25% to 50% of the time.

Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field, such as Engineering, Sales or other Technical field
AND ~10 years of related experience and/or training.
OR equivalent combination of education and experience.