Director, Product Management - Residential Products

About the Role

Rinnai America Corporation (RAC) is the leader in tankless water heating and the only tankless water heating manufacturer in the US. We are seeking a strategic, innovative leader to serve as the Director of Product Management for our growing Residential Space Heating business. In this role, you will own and lead customer research, product roadmap development, design, and the expansion of new product lines, while driving product launches and accelerating RAC’s innovation product roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a 5-year product and technology roadmap for the Residential Space Heating business, with a focus on growing the product portfolio a minimum of 15% year-over-year.
• Own and grow the related Parts & Accessories businesses.
• Understand existing and potential customers (3-step distribution) and their unique needs and requirements.
• Lead design thinking initiatives to develop solutions that exceed customer expectations.
• Define customer features, benefits, and overall customer experience.
• Conduct market research and identify trends, technologies, and opportunities in North American markets.
• Perform competitive analysis and continually manage the competitive landscape.
• Manage all aspects of OEM products, including communications with Rinnai Japan.
• Define unique selling points and market differentiators.
• Establish a partnering strategy, analyzing potential partners, OEM opportunities, and technology innovations.
• Define channel(s) of distribution.
• Develop and execute the entire project plan from concept to launch.
• Drive assumptions in financial models and meet targets.
• Follow and execute the Rinnai New Product Development (NPD) Process.
• Facilitate project teams and lead product specification development and approvals.
• Partner closely with Marketing & Sales teams to ensure flawless execution of go-to-market plans.
• Lead pricing strategy and develop bundling options and proposals.
• Develop the product launch strategy, including identifying products for key shows and building the product strategy for these events.
• Actively contribute to global product initiatives, including platform development, roadmaps, market analytics, competitive analysis, and partnering strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of product-line management, development, or marketing experience, including OEM account management.
• Experience with durable goods and 3-step distribution models.
• Experience working with Retail/Big Box partners, especially in-store product placement and annual line reviews.
• Proficiency in business financials and Agile product development processes.
• Experience in Design Thinking.

Skills

• Storytelling capability to build alignment and advocacy on key strategies.
• Strong project management skills.
• Advanced communication and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for creating professional documents.
• Ability to partner closely with Rinnai Japan teams and liaisons.
• Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work professionally with employees, customers, and business partners at all levels.
• Commitment to achieving business goals in a fast-paced, high-urgency environment.
• High levels of personal integrity, honesty, and commitment.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Constant communication with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions involving wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Occasional ascending or descending of ladders, stairs, and ramps.
• Sedentary work primarily involving sitting or standing; light work involving lifting up to 20 pounds.
• No adverse environmental conditions expected.
• Ability to travel up to 40%.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription coverage.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for Medical and Dependent Care.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Floating Holidays (FH).
• Paid Holidays.
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match.
• Company Paid Life Insurance.
• Voluntary Life Insurance.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• Professional Development and Tuition Reimbursement.
• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
• Referral Bonuses.
• Paid Volunteer Community Service Day.
• Tobacco- and Drug-Free Campuses.
• Employee, family, and friend’s discount.