Product Line Manager (Hybrid Office Schedule)

AFL•Westford, MA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

AFL is seeking a Product Line Manager to join its Test & Inspection team in Westford, Massachusetts. The role provides product and market intelligence to help increase market share for assigned product ranges and defines product, pricing, and promotion strategies. After learning the company’s environment, the position may qualify for a hybrid schedule, working both in the office and remotely. The Product Line Manager establishes the long-term vision and strategy for assigned product ranges and manages those products through their life cycles within the broader business portfolio, with the goal of maximizing company returns and profitability. The role contributes commercial input to product development, supports sales enablement, manages product pricing, and is accountable for new product introductions and post-launch financial performance. It also promotes adherence to quality policies, objectives, and applicable statutory, regulatory, and customer requirements. AFL describes its environment as fast-paced and complex. Occasional travel of approximately 20% or less may be required, and extended hours may be needed to accommodate global operations. The stated salary range is $89,700–$149,500 per year, based on personal and industry experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Engineering, Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in product marketing, product development, or a related field.
Strong project management skills.
Optical networking or telecommunications product, industry, or technical acumen.
Product management or marketing expertise, including market trends and analysis, new product introduction processes, product roadmap development, and product life-cycle management.
Experience working effectively in a matrix environment.
Experience working in a global environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work in teams and build collaborative relationships.
Strong analytical and process skills.

Responsibilities

Establish the long-term vision and strategy for assigned product ranges to achieve market performance goals.
Communicate and champion the product line vision and strategy with relevant participants and stakeholders.
Manage designated product ranges throughout their life cycles within the broader product portfolio to maximize overall company returns and profit, consistent with company, business-area, and marketing plans.
Ensure compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and the commercial change process.
Lead commercial input to product development, including developing product market requirements and identifying target market segments and customers for new products.
Manage product life-cycle activities from detailed planning during development onward.
Define product models and structures, and identify offering items and structures.
Identify requirements for developing and deploying sales training, content, processes, practices, and tools in collaboration with sales, marketing, partners, and other stakeholders.
Be accountable for the performance of new product introductions, including post-launch project pro forma financial performance.
Determine product pricing using market research, production and sales costs, anticipated volume, and costs for special or customized orders.
Manage list prices and customer- or project-level discounts to balance growth, capacity utilization, and product-line profitability objectives.
Promote commitment to quality and communicate the importance of meeting statutory, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Ensure the quality policy is understood, implemented, and maintained throughout the organization.
Establish and communicate measurable quality objectives consistent with the quality policy.