Director, Product Management, Industrial Treatment Solutions

Xylem•Charlotte, NC

22h•$170,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions. Essential Duties/Principal Responsibilities: Defining the product strategy Develops the global solutions roadmap including business case covering product positioning, value proposition per product line, volume and price to serve as input into product development, and marketing Manages the execution of the multi-year roadmap for the global product line including; new product development, value improvements, product introductions, phase outs and product training. Collaborate effectively with Vertical Marketing team to develop regional- and local launch plans that will empower and enable sales (product launches, application areas, product brand thought leadership). This role is also instrumental in providing content development Assigns and take ownership of the XPD process by actively driving and participating in the tollgate process: by developing the business case, product requirements etc. with the understanding of customer and market needs Understands and specifies market requirements, competition, market and technology trends for current and future products. Conducting product related market research, Voice of Customer, customer visits and close collaboration with local-regional product managers and vertical marketing. Develop appealing, and when possible a quantified, value proposition which is validated through market research, voice of the customer, and other data inputs. Framing the vertical offer, in a collaborative way with key stakeholders, by packaging the product, solutions and services e.g. developing offer per application and framing applicable value propositions. Monitors competition with respect to market performance, product portfolio and product performance Sales and Profitability Understanding and providing data for the S&OP forecast, ownership of global product sales and margin plan. If targets are not meet execute on the countermeasures Follow up sales, orders and standard margin with the aim to reach targets, identify gaps and raise the need for countermeasures to close the gap Provide strategic pricing guidelines across markets. Being responsible for updating and distributing International Price List (IPL). Lifecycle Management Manage the solution life cycle (launch to end-of-life) strategy and execution including identifying “sweet spot” applications in the market verticals by ensuring competitiveness of solutions (costs, features, price) by developing relevant business cases for decisions making Manage the entire product life cycle through phase-out and being responsible for keeping its assortment competitive and give ideas for technology development and Value Engineering initiatives Having a broad understating of the competitors in the industry e.g. offering, pricing, and markets. Drive and execute product launches according to the product marketing launch process in close collaboration with the Vertical Marketing, Commercial Teams and Communications. Being responsible for resource allocation, keeping the time line and all preparation to do a proper launch in time e.g. strategic pricing, product availability, training material and plan, information in product selection and configuration programs, communications material etc. Guardianship & Support Product, solution, technology and application content development Participates in technical meetings, conferences, workshops, industry days, trade shows and association events Accountability for the technical performance of the products as defined in the product specifications Branding Ensure the product offering mirrors the product brand values Thought leadership activities (e.g. white papers) by developing content and/or presenting Develop appealing, and when possible a quantified, value proposition which is validated through market research, voice of the customer, and other data inputs Collaborates with Communications, Vertical Marketing, and R&D to drive next generation value propositions by a rigorously understanding of the VOC Leadership & People/Team Development Development of an employee-oriented company culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, key employee retention and development, and high performance. Hiring the right team, providing development opportunities Develop and execute on robust succession plans Role model superior coaching & mentoring capabilities Health and safety of the workforce. Develop a culture customer centric organization and behavior Personal ongoing development.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering from an accredited institution, or equivalent.
MBA preferred
A higher degree in Business Administration is preferred.
Masters degree in Business Administration is desirable
A minimum of 5 to 10 years previous experience in product management in an industrial environment with at least $25M responsibility.
Demonstrated experience working in a matrix organization
Demonstrate excellent computer, communication, presentation, management and analytical skills.
Be able to resolve difficult technical and business issues.
Be a self-starter with high motivation to achieve goals.
Strong interpersonal, teamwork and problem-solving skills in order to effectively work with customers, business partners, staff and management from a variety of skill levels as well as different authority levels.
Ability to understand technical issues and understand impact on projects, and effectively communicate these issues and impact to direct reports as well as other project stakeholders.
Flexibility in terms of dealing with changing priorities and dealing with multiple projects simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Green Belt Certification
Fluent in English; multi-lingual capabilities desirable
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong project management skills with proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority
Be a self-starter with high motivation skills

Responsibilities

Defining the product strategy
Develops the global solutions roadmap including business case covering product positioning, value proposition per product line, volume and price to serve as input into product development, and marketing
Manages the execution of the multi-year roadmap for the global product line including; new product development, value improvements, product introductions, phase outs and product training.
Collaborate effectively with Vertical Marketing team to develop regional- and local launch plans that will empower and enable sales (product launches, application areas, product brand thought leadership). This role is also instrumental in providing content development
Assigns and take ownership of the XPD process by actively driving and participating in the tollgate process: by developing the business case, product requirements etc. with the understanding of customer and market needs
Understands and specifies market requirements, competition, market and technology trends for current and future products.
Conducting product related market research, Voice of Customer, customer visits and close collaboration with local-regional product managers and vertical marketing.
Develop appealing, and when possible a quantified, value proposition which is validated through market research, voice of the customer, and other data inputs.
Framing the vertical offer, in a collaborative way with key stakeholders, by packaging the product, solutions and services e.g. developing offer per application and framing applicable value propositions.
Monitors competition with respect to market performance, product portfolio and product performance
Understanding and providing data for the S&OP forecast, ownership of global product sales and margin plan.
If targets are not meet execute on the countermeasures
Follow up sales, orders and standard margin with the aim to reach targets, identify gaps and raise the need for countermeasures to close the gap
Provide strategic pricing guidelines across markets. Being responsible for updating and distributing International Price List (IPL).
Manage the solution life cycle (launch to end-of-life) strategy and execution including identifying “sweet spot” applications in the market verticals by ensuring competitiveness of solutions (costs, features, price) by developing relevant business cases for decisions making
Manage the entire product life cycle through phase-out and being responsible for keeping its assortment competitive and give ideas for technology development and Value Engineering initiatives
Having a broad understating of the competitors in the industry e.g. offering, pricing, and markets.
Drive and execute product launches according to the product marketing launch process in close collaboration with the Vertical Marketing, Commercial Teams and Communications.
Being responsible for resource allocation, keeping the time line and all preparation to do a proper launch in time e.g. strategic pricing, product availability, training material and plan, information in product selection and configuration programs, communications material etc.
Product, solution, technology and application content development
Participates in technical meetings, conferences, workshops, industry days, trade shows and association events
Accountability for the technical performance of the products as defined in the product specifications
Ensure the product offering mirrors the product brand values
Thought leadership activities (e.g. white papers) by developing content and/or presenting
Develop appealing, and when possible a quantified, value proposition which is validated through market research, voice of the customer, and other data inputs
Collaborates with Communications, Vertical Marketing, and R&D to drive next generation value propositions by a rigorously understanding of the VOC
Development of an employee-oriented company culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, key employee retention and development, and high performance.
Hiring the right team, providing development opportunities
Develop and execute on robust succession plans
Role model superior coaching & mentoring capabilities
Health and safety of the workforce.
Develop a culture customer centric organization and behavior
Personal ongoing development.