Director, Product Management & Marketing

Leviton Manufacturing•Northbrook, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position has product management and marketing responsibility for the U.S. Lighting product portfolio, including Birchwood, ConTech, Intense, V-Rail, and Leviton Lighting. Responsible for the strategic product plan and execution, including product development, pricing, product launches, sales support, education, and marketing. This position is responsible for increasing the profitability of product lines through effective management of existing product life cycles, identifying new opportunities, and defining, developing and launching new products. This requires staying in touch with trends, technological advances, competitor activities, and interaction with the Sales team and Customers. The position reports to the Sr. Director & General Manager of the U.S. Lighting Business.

Requirements

A highly developed level of creative skills and resourcefulness is
Must be able to apply critical thinking skills to determine best approach to bring new products to market and collaborate with other departments including engineering, operations, supply chain, and sales.
Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
Must be self-reliant.
Must be an excellent communicator.
Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with customers that lead to the sales
Ability to organize and manage “ad-hoc” teams to support the development of business opportunities.
Ability to work in a highly confidential work environment.
Proficient in Microsoft applications.
Thorough knowledge of lighting products and distribution channels.
Ability to clearly articulate plans and influence others.
Creative, resourceful, and willing to think independently.
Extremely well organized and capable of prioritizing and delegating as appropriate.
Leadership and mentoring skills.
Ability to maintain a positive working environment while managing through challenges.
A Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field or business field is required.
10 to 15 years’ experience in Product Management and/or Marketing is required.
Architectural lighting experience.
Familiarity with the lighting business and relationships therein between Manufacturers, Commercial Agents, National Accounts, Specifiers, Contractors, and Distributors.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of the organization’s annual strategic plan and be responsible for delivering key elements of the plan to achieve overall sales and profitability growth. This includes formulating plans and programs that support the overall strategy.
Effectively communicate the overall product strategy to the Product Management and Marketing teams to ensure buy-in and successful execution.
Serve as the link with Engineering, Sourcing, Operations, Customer Service, Sales and Finance for new and sustaining product activities.
Work with members of the Operations, Engineering, Product Management and Supply Chain Teams to optimize profitability of new and existing products.
Interface with the Director of Engineering and other departments to optimize the New Product Process for effective and efficient product development.
Manage the Product Team to align the existing product portfolio with market trends and opportunities.
Work with the sales Team to conduct research and analysis required for PAC, e.g. economic justification, competitive pricing, EAUS, financial models, features and applications.
Manage all elements of the product development process, including product specification, packaging, pricing, and phase out/phase in plans.
Establish measurement and review procedures for new product development and monitoring of performance against new products. Periodically review performance on new products (up to 3 years) and report to GM.
In conjunction with the Marketing and Sales Teams, acquire and maintain a high awareness of competitors’ activities and keep top management informed on: Existing competitors' new products New competitors and new technology Major changes to competitors' existing/new products in term of pricing/positioning strategies
Attend sales meetings and visit customers and end-users; conduct product training presentations and research as needed
Attend lighting industry events to remain current with the lighting industry, new products, and new technology, to inform future product strategies.
Responsible for ongoing identification of technology and market trends and working with the Management Team to update business unit strategy as appropriate.
Identify alliance and acquisition target companies that support business unit strategy. Develop business cases and support analysis for analysis.
Work with e-Business, Retail, Distribution Sales, Lighting Agents, National Accounts; Mexico, Canada and International as needed to make assigned businesses successful.
Work closely with Product Management and Sales to develop a product launch strategy for NPI that establishes consistent market messaging. This messaging is carried out through product samples, Agent/Industry events, displays, promotional materials (e.g. presentations, competitive comparisons, video content, Inspiration Center/LIVE Centers installs, digital content, social media campaigns, presentations, brochures price sheets, etc.).
Local Essential Functions - Northbrook
Responsible for administrative functions required to effectively run a department including reporting, budgeting, financial management, and adherence to corporate procedures.
Interact with and present regularly to senior management.
Regularly meet with customers across the value chain, vendors, and industry representatives and must always be professional.
Provide leadership to the organization to ensure optimal customer satisfaction and the achievement of established goals.
Assist the General Manager in the development and execution of department policies and procedures.
Understand the competitive landscape in general: competitors, the market, the economy, and business trends, including products, applications, performance, and pricing.
Evaluate new technical developments and recommend appropriate actions.
Encourage new programs and develop employees
Manage all elements of the product development process, including product specification, positioning, pricing, improvements, inventory management, and phase out plans.