Product Manager

DRiV • Southfield, MI

24d • Onsite

About The Position

The Product Manager is responsible for managing and growing an assigned product line throughout the full product life cycle. This includes identifying market opportunities, developing product strategies, managing New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Product Line Introduction (NPLI) projects, and supporting timely, high-quality product launches.
This role manages product-line coverage, specifications, pricing strategy, profitability, and integrated launch plans. The Product Manager works closely with internal teams, suppliers, and customers to improve product availability, strengthen market position, and support profitable growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering, Automotive Technology, Supply Chain Management, Marketing, or a related field.
• One to three years of experience in product management or a related product-focused role.
• Experience in the automotive industry, replacement parts, or a comparable manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting product launches, product data, market research, competitive analysis, or financial performance.
• Working knowledge of databases and strong data-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, and the ability to analyze complex data.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Methodical, detail-oriented, and capable of working effectively under pressure.
• Ability to quickly learn new systems, products, processes, and customer requirements.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Innovative approach and willingness to identify and implement improvements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience within the commercial vehicle aftermarket is preferred.
• Familiarity with oil seals and bearings, including their applications, specifications, and basic product-selection considerations, is preferred.
• Preferred experience within the commercial vehicle aftermarket.
• Experience with SAP is preferred but not required.
• Power BI experience is beneficial.
• Personal interest in the automotive industry and a working knowledge of vehicles and engines is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned product lines and support growth, coverage, profitability, and life-cycle objectives.
• Manage NPI and NPLI activities, including project creation, coordination, execution, tracking, and completion.
• Research original equipment and aftermarket competitors’ catalogs, pricing, interchanges, and component information to identify market gaps and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain product-line coverage, specifications, pricing strategies, and launch plans.
• Manage product-line financial performance, including analysis of sales, margins, costs, and profitability.
• Analyze global sales data to identify opportunities for growth, coverage expansion, and margin improvement.
• Maintain competitor interchange files and support competitive product analysis.
• Support Program Management with product extensions and new product launches.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and Engineering to support effective and timely product introductions.
• Coordinate with suppliers and Purchasing to support resourcing activities and development of a competitive cost base.
• Create customer-specific load templates and support product-data requirements.
• Assist with customer, sales, and field inquiries related to product coverage, specifications, and availability.
• Support Quality and Warranty teams with investigation and resolution of customer complaints.
• Create and maintain SAP product data, including NPI load templates, product life-cycle information, country of origin, bills of material, and material determinations.
• Support the New Item Investigation process in FileMaker Pro.
• Prepare product support materials, including product bulletins and other launch communications.
• Manage products throughout the full product life cycle, from opportunity identification and development through launch, post-release changes, stock-category updates, and discontinuations.
• Partner with Supply Chain to resolve inventory, minimum-order-quantity, and availability issues.
• Support the catalog team with application loading, image development, and product attributes that improve digital content and customer experience.
• Assist with additional product-line initiatives and projects as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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