Product Line Manager - Atlanta, GA

About the role

Geoquest USA, Inc. (formerly The Reinforced Earth Company) is recognized as the inventor and market leader of the MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) retaining wall industry. The company provides the design and supply of materials for proprietary retaining wall systems and earth-related technologies to contractors and owners for use in civil engineering. As a sub-contractor and material supplier, Geoquest USA works on DOT and privately owned projects, handling all aspects from sales and marketing to civil engineering, design, supply, and construction support.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development, strategy, and redesign from concept through manufacturing to market launch.
• Develop products by identifying potential products, conducting market research, generating product requirements, and determining specifications, production timetables, pricing, and integrated plans for product introduction.
• Determine customers’ needs and desires by specifying research needed to obtain market information.
• Recommend the nature and scope of present and future product lines by reviewing product specifications and requirements, appraising new product ideas, or product changes.
• Assess market competition by comparing the company’s product to competitors’ products.
• Provide source data for product line communications by defining product marketing communication objectives.
• Obtain product market share by working with the VP of Sales to develop product sales strategies.
• Assess product market data by calling on customers with field salespeople and evaluating sales call results.
• Prepare short-term and long-term product sales forecasts, special reports, and analyses for management.
• Facilitate inventory turnover and product availability by reviewing and adjusting inventory levels and production schedules.
• Bring new products to market by analyzing proposed product requirements, preparing return-on-investment analyses, and establishing time schedules with engineering and manufacturing.
• Introduce and market new products by developing time-integrated plans with sales, advertising, and production.
• Determine product pricing using market research data, production and sales costs, and anticipated volume.
• Work with marketing and sales departments to ensure product success and market growth.
• Identify and manage new and existing product partnerships.
• Serve as a liaison to universities to expand knowledge, develop innovations, and participate in research.
• Present white papers as part of marketing, industry visibility, and technical development.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through educational workshops, publications, and professional societies.
• Recruit, train, and manage the product team by planning, monitoring, and appraising job results, including quality control and testing.
• Complete operational requirements and meet product development deadlines by scheduling and assigning employees and following up on work results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, industrial engineering, or a field tied to the product’s sector (e.g., tech, finance); master’s in engineering or MBA a plus.
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience, including project management experience.
• Prior management experience a plus.
• Certified Product Manager (CPM) or New Product Development (NPD) Professional Certification a plus.
• Experience using Agile/Scrum methodology and/or workflow management tools.

Skills

• Subject Matter Expert (SME) in product innovation and development.
• Project management skills.
• Customer focus.
• Budgeting and purchasing.
• Understanding of the marketplace.
• Technical and manufacturing know-how.
• Leadership and team management.
• Data analytics and metrics management.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong communication, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Organizational, planning, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience drafting Product and Market requirement documents.
• Familiarity with Agile work management and cross-team communication.
• Experience using computer-aided design (CAD) platforms.
• Experience using System Applications and Products (SAP) software.

Work Environment

The role is carried out in a traditional office environment under standard office conditions. Employees are expected to observe safety and security procedures and use equipment and materials properly.

Benefits

• 11 days paid vacation to start, increasing to 16 days at 5 years, and 21 days at 10 years.
• 11 paid holidays.
• 401(k) with company contribution.
• Medical, dental (with orthodontia for children up to age 26), and vision insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Wellness program with incentives.
• Free parking.