Product Manager

Ritchie Engineering • Bloomington, MN

23d • $90,000 - $144,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ritchie Engineering Co., Inc. is a family-owned company that has been innovating HVAC & Refrigeration tools and test equipment for more than 75 years. From idea conception through development, production, and shipment; every team member plays a crucial role ensuring the quality, reliability, and efficiency of these American-made products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or equivalent field experience.
• 3+ years of demonstrated success in fast-paced product management or product marketing role for HVAC based products.
• Proven ability to successfully collaborate with internal stakeholders from various levels and areas of the organization and drive successful outcomes cross-functionally.
• Proven record of accomplishment of launching successful new products/services and enhancing and scaling them through product releases.
• Translate market research data, customer feedback, and technology trends into product requirements.
• Knowledge and experience with Refrigeration and A/C systems and their functions.
• Experience with early-stage products and new product development from ideation specification through market launch and revenue generation.
• Experience working closely with an engineering organization to define applications and manage them through the entire product lifecycle.
• Willingness to travel 35% - 50%.
• Proficiency in reading and writing in English.
• Highly organized, self-motivated and can work independently.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills as well as excellent communication skills (both written and oral) with ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and analyzes opportunities for new products or changes to existing products based on market needs, competition, and product performance.
• Prioritizes these opportunities and creates product design specifications for engineering projects.
• Helps train both internal and external stakeholders on products.
• Research to identify market opportunities for new products.
• Lead user focus groups and collect user feedback on new and existing products.
• Acts as the point person for receiving new product ideas from employees, end users, sales, and outside inventors.
• Work with potential new vendors who have new product offerings.
• Establish target specifications for new products.
• Create and manage Business Cases for new products.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and maintain product roadmap.
• Evaluate competitive product offering and identify where we fall short or prevail and advise where we should go.
• Be aware of market/ industry innovations, new refrigerants, changes to regulation, etc.
• Manage product life cycles; evaluate existing products for profitability, market share, and trends.
• For new products, evaluate whether to organically develop or utilize other options (purchase from another manufacturer).
• Help with new product roll-out, including training of salespeople and customer service.
• Support company social media programs and content creation.
• Develop product training for on-site training and video production.
• Execute on-site training where applicable.
• Collaborate internally to write new product manuals to help customers understand proper equipment operation.
• Work with marketing to provide features & benefits and other marketing materials.
• Assist Technical Support Representatives on field customer product complaints.
• Attend sales meetings to discuss trends and market change.
• Attend trade shows where applicable.
• Work with stage gating team throughout approval process.
• Propose quarterly business travel agendas, confirm monthly travel plans the month prior, and follow Travel and Expense policy on trips including booking flights two weeks prior to trip.
• Other duties as assigned including training others on known processes.

Benefits

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: 100% company match with no vesting schedule on up to 4% of your contributions
• Health Insurance: Two Medical Plans, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Account options to suit your needs
• Company Paid Insurance: Short-term disability, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance at no additional cost
• Paid Time Off (PTO): We value work life balance and offer a generous PTO plan for exempt employees. You will start with 52 hours during the first 6 months, with the accrual increasing to 160 hours annually after 6 months. The accrual rate will continue to increase with tenure up to 202 hours annually after 20 years of service.
• Holiday Pay: In addition to PTO, all employees receive up to 80 hours of paid holidays annually
• Telemedicine: 24/7 access to healthcare professionals for you and your family
• Referral program: Earn rewards for helping the team grow

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level