Product Manager - Ditch Witch (HDD Tooling & Drill Pipe)
About The Position
The Product Manager for HDD Tooling & Drill Pipe supports Ditch Witch Division’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 for customer needs, finds growth opportunities, and leads new product priorities. The position is responsible for product specifications, financial targets, and market timelines, and advises leadership and cross-functional teams on product positioning, go-to-market strategies, competitive landscapes, and value-added innovation. The role aligns business objectives, customer needs, and market responsiveness through global multi-generational product planning (MGPP), day-to-day product management, and clear direction. The Product Manager represents the company as an industry expert internally and externally. The role manages the assigned portfolio to maximize return on investment, leads customer and market research, develops and executes product plans and strategies, and champions new product development through the 1PDS stage-gate process. It works closely with engineering, testing, marketing, training, sales, finance, operations, dealers, customers, and leadership on product definition, design, launches, pricing, forecasting, communications, and performance. The role also supports trade shows, customer events, sales training, and broader portfolio priorities. The position is based in an office environment and includes regular visits to the shop, test fields, dealerships, and customer worksites. Frequent air and highway travel, some international travel, and after-hours support are expected. Weekend and holiday support may be needed. The role requires extended use of a phone and computer and use of rental and company vehicles.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, marketing, or a related field.
- At least 4 years of experience in underground construction or a related industry for Product Manager I; at least 6 years for Product Manager II.
- Relevant knowledge of profit and loss statements and strong analytical skills.
- Ability to understand target markets, articulate customer needs, and propose product concepts that gain 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 ensuring alignment with customer needs, financial targets, and marketing timelines.
- Strong technical aptitude 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 daily product management tasks.
- Ability to work regularly with customers, dealers, and internal representatives to drive product strategy, acceptance, and decision-making.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to represent the portfolio in presentations, media, conferences, and events.
- For Product Manager II: experience successfully conducting MGPP efforts that build stakeholder confidence and align strategies with division and corporate objectives.
- For Product Manager II: ability to define market needs, trends, and customer expectations at a strategic, long-term level and serve as an industry expert for an assigned portfolio.
- For Product Manager II: deep understanding of markets, competition, and user requirements, with the ability to build trust and inspire followership.
- For Product Manager II: ability to champion product innovation that raises standards for value and customer satisfaction.
- For Product Manager II: demonstrated leadership in resolving problems through collaboration with engineering, product support, sales, and dealer channel teams.
- For Product Manager II: ability to foster collaboration with design team managers and cross-functional teams.
- For Product Manager II: excellent communication, presentation, and persuasion skills to manage and align stakeholders with product direction.
- Frequent air and highway travel is required; some international travel is required, and a passport is needed.
- Ability to use rental and company vehicles.
- Ability to provide after-hours support; weekend and holiday support as needed.
- Extended use of a phone and computer.
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 inform product decisions.
- Develop, present, and execute an annual MGPP for the assigned portfolio.
- Define market needs, trends, and customer expectations; develop the product and strategic vision.
- Develop, communicate, and execute product strategies aligned with company 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, providing customer advocacy, product specifications, performance requirements, and financial targets.
- Collaborate with engineering and test functions on design criteria, serviceability, and test plans for product quality and lower warranty costs.
- Develop product launch plans and coordinate day-to-day product management tasks and launches with marketing, training, and sales teams.
- Participate in Integrated Business Planning (IBP), with primary responsibility for new-product annual sales and inventory projections and transition planning.
- Plan and deliver product sales training for launches, including live training events and recorded webinars.
- Provide teammates and dealers with timely, accurate product-positioning information and communications about launches, discontinuations, enhancements, stop shipments, and regulation changes.
- Monitor and analyze market share, retail indicators, and order activity to assess performance and competitive positioning.
- Collaborate with sales and finance teams on product pricing strategies.
- Support trade shows, customer experience events, and other divisional events and initiatives as the subject matter expert.
- Collaborate across teams to support broader portfolio 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 the industry expert for the assigned portfolio.
- Build and maintain relationships with engineering, sales, customer care, operations, dealers, and the Ditch Witch leadership team.
- Complete other special assignments and tasks as required.
Benefits
- Affordable medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k).
- Wellness resources, including mental health and financial health resources for full-time employees.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Career growth, internal mobility, and promotion opportunities.
- Competitive salary and possible participation in an incentive program based on individual and organizational performance.
- Access to earned pay through the DailyPay app.
- Casual dress and a blended office-plant environment.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
