Product Manager - Ditch Witch (HDD Tooling & Drill Pipe)

The Toro Company•Perry, OK

23h

About The Position

The Product Manager for HDD Tooling & Drill Pipe supports Ditch Witch’s multi-brand product strategy for an assigned portfolio throughout its entire lifecycle. The role requires in-depth knowledge of the underground construction industry and customer segments, along with strong business acumen. The Product Manager identifies solutions to customer needs, growth opportunities, and new product priorities; defines product specifications and financial targets; and understands market timelines. The role advises leadership and cross-functional teams on product positioning, go-to-market strategies, competitive landscapes, and value-added innovation through global multi-generational product planning (MGPP), ongoing product management, and clear direction. As an industry expert, the Product Manager represents the company internally and externally. The position manages an assigned portfolio to maximize return on investment, leads customer and market research, develops and executes annual MGPP plans and product strategies, and champions new product development through the 1PDS stage-gate process. It works with engineering, testing, marketing, training, sales, finance, operations, dealers, and customers to develop, launch, support, and communicate products. The role also contributes to sales and inventory projections, transition planning, training, pricing, performance analysis, trade shows, and customer events. The role is based in an office environment, with regular trips to the shop, outdoor work areas, test fields, dealerships, and customer worksites. Frequent air and highway travel, including some international travel, is required; a passport is needed. After-hours, weekend, and holiday support may be needed. The position requires extended use of a phone and computer and use of rental and company vehicles. The shop and outdoor environments can involve physical hazards, all-weather conditions, and construction-site conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, marketing, or a related field.
For Product Manager I: 4 or more years of experience in underground construction or a related industry.
For Product Manager II: at least 6 years of experience in underground construction or a related industry.
Relevant knowledge of profit and loss statements and strong analytical skills.
Ability to understand target markets, articulate customer needs, and propose product concepts that earn stakeholder support while meeting market and divisional objectives.
Ability to identify unmet customer needs and growth opportunities and convey them through MGPP.
Ability to champion products through the gate process while aligning customer needs, financial targets, and marketing timelines.
Strong technical aptitude and ability to communicate and collaborate with engineering.
Self-starter with a bias for action and ability to lead multiple project teams simultaneously.
Ability to launch products effectively and coordinate day-to-day product management tasks.
Ability to work closely with customers, dealers, and internal representatives to guide product strategy and decisions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to represent the portfolio in presentations, media, conferences, and events.
Frequent air and highway travel is required; some international travel is required, and a passport is needed.
Ability to provide after-hours support, with weekend and holiday support as needed.
Ability to use rental and company vehicles and to make regular trips to shops, outdoor work areas, test fields, dealerships, and customer worksites.
Extended use of a phone and computer is needed.

Nice To Haves

Product Manager II qualifications include a record of leading MGPP efforts that build stakeholder confidence and align strategies with divisional and corporate objectives.
Product Manager II qualifications include being recognized as an industry expert who defines market needs, trends, and customer expectations at a strategic, long-term level.
Product Manager II qualifications include deep understanding of markets, competitors, and user requirements, with the ability to build trust and inspire followership.
Product Manager II qualifications include championing innovative products that set high standards for value and customer satisfaction.
Product Manager II qualifications include leadership in resolving problems through collaboration with engineering, product support, sales, and the dealer channel.
Product Manager II qualifications include fostering collaboration with design-team managers and cross-functional teams.
Product Manager II qualifications include strong communication, delivery, and persuasion skills to align stakeholders around product direction.

Responsibilities

Manage the assigned product portfolio throughout its lifecycle to maximize ROI.
Lead global Voice of the Customer activities and other market research to understand customer requirements and guide product-line decisions.
Develop, present, and execute an annual multi-generational product plan (MGPP) for the assigned portfolio.
Define market needs, trends, and customer expectations, and develop the product and strategic vision.
Develop, communicate, and execute product strategies aligned with corporate goals.
Create business cases for new products using market knowledge, competitive analysis, emerging technology, and customer needs.
Champion new product development through the 1PDS stage-gate process, advocating for customers and communicating product specifications, performance requirements, and financial targets.
Collaborate with engineering and test functions on design criteria, serviceability, and test plans to support quality and reduce warranty costs.
Develop product launch plans and coordinate product management tasks and launches with marketing, training, and sales teams.
Participate in Integrated Business Planning (IBP), including responsibility for new-product annual sales and inventory projections and transition planning.
Plan and deliver product sales training for launches, including live events and recorded webinars.
Provide internal teammates and dealers with timely, accurate product-positioning information and communications about launches, discontinuations, enhancements, stop shipments, regulation changes, and other key updates.
Monitor and analyze market share, retail indicators, and order activity to assess performance and competitive positioning.
Collaborate with sales and finance on product pricing strategies.
Support trade shows, customer experience events, and other divisional activities as a portfolio subject-matter expert.
Collaborate across teams and the broader portfolio to support strategic priorities and provide a comprehensive jobsite overview.
Work regularly with customers, dealers, and internal representatives to drive product strategy, acceptance, and decision-making.
Represent the company’s interests as an industry expert for the assigned portfolio.
Build and maintain relationships with engineering, sales, customer care, operations, the dealer channel, and Ditch Witch leadership.
Complete other assignments, duties, and tasks as required; responsibilities may change based on company needs.

Benefits

Competitive salary
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Wellness resources, including mental and financial health resources for full-time employees
Tuition reimbursement
Career growth and promotion opportunities
Incentive program eligibility based on individual and organizational performance
Access to pay early through the DailyPay app
Casual dress and an office-plant blended environment