Ink Product Manager (Ypsilanti, MI)

Job Summary

EFI™ is seeking an Ink Product Manager to join our team in Ypsilanti, MI. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in ink technologies, customer-centric innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Manage the ink product line (revenue, margin, working capital, portfolio, share with key partners, etc.)
• Take actions necessary to achieve growth and profitability goals working closely with printer product management and sales
• Establish and drive stand-alone OEM ink business selling ink to other printer OEMs
• End-to-end product lifecycle management to minimize / reduce SKUs and leverage ink platforms
• Develop and manage price positioning, pricing tactics, including ongoing support, trade-in programs, bundling, etc.
• Responsible for the rolling 18-month forecast to support SIOP
• Work with R&D, Marketing, Sales, and other cross-functional groups to ensure successful product commercialization
• Drive printer ink security requirements for EFI-branded printers in the printer commercialization process to ensure all EFI printers are protected with a robust ink security system
• Analyze customer trends and buying patterns to develop strategies to support growth
• Conduct voice of customer research to drive future product line roadmap
• Research market trends, highlight key value propositions, and translate these into key product specifications
• Understand market requirements (MRD) and support the definition of product concept and requirements (PRD) that meet customer needs
• Support decisions on trade-offs with respect to time, features, resources, and quality to meet the business objectives
• Monitor and respond to external factors including competition, market, and technology trends
• Analyze and benchmark competitive products across the business unit product line, monitor competitive activity, and identify customer needs; make adjustments as necessary
• Be the ultimate advocate and field resource, helping sales maximize revenue and market share

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field preferred); MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 5-7 years of product management experience, with at least 2 years in ink or related chemical products serving an industrial capital equipment business
• Proven track record of launching and managing successful products in industrial markets
• Strong commercial mindset and demonstrated results working with sales
• Familiarity with or ability to quickly come up to speed on ink formulations, printing experience with digital printing, packaging, or specialty inks
• Familiarity with sustainability trends and regulatory requirements in ink manufacturing
• Excellent communication and project management skills
• Ability to be forward thinking; analyze and track the business knowing when to make changes; ability to develop creative solutions and innovative product ideas to continue to deliver the forecast and strategic goals
• Experience creating a business plan resulting in successful investment to develop the product
• Leadership skills with the ability to influence the priorities of other functions to deliver strong business results
• Team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively across geographies and cultures
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Qualifications

• Passionate about driving customers' business growth
• Experience in industrial markets
• Technical understanding of ink technologies
• Customer-centric innovation
• Strong business acumen
• Collaboration across functions