Technical Publications Manager

ECHOorporated•Lake Zurich, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

ECHO Incorporated is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, professional-grade, handheld outdoor power equipment. With distributors and thousands of dealers across North and South America, ECHO is constantly anticipating the future of the outdoor power equipment industry and the need for environmental sustainability. Working for ECHO means joining a team of people who are committed to collaboration, innovation, creativity, and high-quality products that make us a globally competitive brand. ECHO is hiring a Technical Publications Manager! This role will lead a collaborative team of Technical Writers and oversee technical document development, content management, and web management for all technical publications. The Technical Publications Manager supports service and consumer-facing literature across ECHO Inc.’s North and South American dealer and distributor network. In addition, this position will partner with ECHO and Yamabiko Japan authoring teams to drive and implement an enterprise-level content strategy.

Requirements

Experience with desktop publishing, structured content, XML/DITA, and content management systems (CMS).
Strong project management experience
Analytical mindset with solid problem-solving skills
Ability to prioritize workload, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Effective leadership and strong organizational skills
Bachelor's Degree in a technical field and or related field or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Prior management experience preferred.
Proven project management experience required.
Technical background in small engines, automotive, or related industries.
Experience with enterprise system integration preferred.
Ability to operate effectively within a global, matrixed organization.
Demonstrated ability to influence at the executive level.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of technical writers, including hiring, coaching, goal setting, and performance management.
Establish team objectives, goals, and performance metrics to drive engagement and productivity.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance content quality and efficiency.
Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, SOPs, and process maps.
Evaluate current authoring tools and research emerging technologies within the publications industry.
Define and execute strategic plans for content management and authoring tools (e.g., XML/DITA, CMS).
Partner with Yamabiko Japan and ECHO authoring teams to align best practices, responsibilities, and market requirements.
Manage and execute cross-functional projects supporting technical publications.
Participate in product development and product launch meetings.
Serve as a key stakeholder for technical literature across all new product development and launch initiatives.
Oversee publication schedules to ensure alignment with product launches, engineering changes, and release timelines.
Collaborate with outsourced suppliers to review, modify, and standardize (“ECHOize”) CAD drawings and artwork.
Ensure all publications meet compliance, safety, style, format, and market requirements.
Manage translation processes, including vendor selection, performance, and cost negotiations.
Respond to inquiries from distributors, dealers, field teams, and customers regarding technical documentation and parts.
Oversee translation, printing, and digital publication of materials, including electronic parts catalogs.
Manage vendor relationships, including purchase orders and invoice approvals.
Support financial planning by participating in budget reviews and managing departmental expenses.