Sr. Director, Product Management

About the Role

Responsible and accountable for maximizing economic value and directing key functions of the product line, including product marketing, customer satisfaction, profitability & loss, balance sheet, cash flows, budgeting, product quality, R&D allocation, capital allocation, new product introduction (NPI), and project execution. Ensures work environments are safe and appropriate risk mitigation is deployed across the product line.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Profit & Loss (P&L) of the products, with key metrics including gross profit, net profit, market share, revenue, and return on investment, depending on the product lifecycle.
• Build, maintain, and grow a pipeline of products and projects to sustain Business Unit growth.
• Initiate product development to meet customer roadmaps and requirements, including R&D roadmap, priority setting, New Product Introduction (NPI), and product evolution.
• Manage R&D investment, monitor success through the stage-gate process, and determine when to invest or divest.
• Lead development of proposals aligned with customer requirements.
• Influence the creation of service offerings and pricing strategies.
• Partner with Engineering and Architecture teams to provide technical direction aligned with the product roadmap.
• Collaborate across the business unit, segment, and company to drive vertical integration and product offering expansion.
• Set pricing for the product line, including generic book pricing and customer-specific pricing.
• Manage capital allocation required for the product line.
• Evaluate and amend monthly sales forecasts to drive material planning and address inventory implications from forecast errors.
• Develop frameworks, processes, and models to support the product line and business unit.
• Collaborate with Sales to build organizational strategies on contracting modes.
• Provide customer communication messages and strategies relevant to the product line.
• Drive cost reductions through collaboration with Supply Chain, Automation, and Operations teams.
• Create and maintain tactical and strategic plans for budgeting and the 5-year plan.

Requirements

• BS in a related engineering field; MS preferred.
• 12-15 years of industry experience.
• Experience leading or engaging with customers of engineering companies.
• 5+ years of people management experience in an engineering, development, or technology role.
• Demonstrated experience building ecosystems of products and executing projects.

Skills

• Seasoned business judgment and superior analytical abilities, particularly in strategic business and financial analysis.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) and business acumen, with the ability to assess situations from both a big-picture and immediate-need perspective.
• Strong planning and leadership skills to drive tasks through non-direct reports.
• Ability to persuade, motivate, and negotiate effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working with diverse individuals and personalities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and follow through.
• Understanding of business strategies and ability to formulate and execute supporting plans.
• Ability to train, coach, and mentor others.

Working Conditions

• Willingness to work off-core hours and travel up to 50% as needed.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of ISO 9000, 9001, 14001, and/or other applicable standards within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials, and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company developing innovative products for industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent offers a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best while rewarding excellence and hard work through a competitive compensation program.