Sr. Manager, Product

Description of Essential Job Functions

• Own the Stage-Gate product development process, including governance of gate reviews and final business approval decisions to ensure disciplined execution and risk mitigation.
• Lead the strategic development and management of industrial dock equipment products, including sectional loading docks, dock levelers, vehicle restraints, dock seals, and associated technologies.
• Conduct analysis of current/potential markets, competitor positioning, and customer buying patterns and needs to project demand/profitability for potential products, key product features/requirements, favorable timing for product launch, etc.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive product roadmap, aligning with business goals and industry trends.
• Partner with R&I and marketing teams to ensure that customer needs for each targeted segment are incorporated into product design, branding, and marketing approaches.
• Work closely with sales and marketing teams to define positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategies for industrial dock equipment products.
• Lead cross-functional teams, including engineering, to translate market requirements into technical specifications and ensure successful development and launch of new products. Engage with customers, sales, and the internal teams, while partnering tightly with R&I, to drive execution.
• Develop product commercialization strategies (e.g., licensing, distribution etc.).
• Develop and manage product budgets, forecasts, and pricing strategies to optimize profitability while maintaining competitiveness in the market.
• Manage the product/brand P&L (e.g., budgeting, expenditures, profitability, ROI etc.).
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate product/brand performance as input to guide continuous improvement efforts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, gathering feedback and insights to drive product improvement and innovation.
• Stay informed about advancements in industrial dock equipment, safety regulations, and technology trends to inform product decisions.
• Align and integrate product strategies across Docking platforms and brands to ensure cohesive portfolio execution and optimal resource allocation.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Qualification Requirements

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Engineering, Sciences, Business, or a related field preferred; minimum of 7 years prior program or significant project management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the job typically acquired through ten or more years of related work experience, including five or more years leading multiple projects/programs of varying complexity and scope and direct leadership of teams.
• Proven track record in product management within the industrial equipment, construction or logistics industry, with a specific focus on dock equipment.
• Considerable experience with new product development program management through a combination of leadership and skills, including the ability to ask penetrating questions, exhibit deep understanding, detect unstated assumptions, and accomplish conflict resolution.

Computer Skills

• Requires the ability to use a personal computer utilizing spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Proficient in using business applications software (MS Office) and specialized project management (MS Project) applications.

Certificates, Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• PMP certification is preferred.

Other Skills, Abilities, or Competencies

• Possess high ethical standards.
• Hands-on, high-output leader required.
• Experience with Earned Value Management a plus.
• Open to change and strives for continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of and prior experience with cross-functional teams.
• Skilled at analyzing and interpreting complex policies and financial reports.
• Understanding of financial and labor cost systems and production processes.
• Able to prioritize, balance, and manage multiple efforts with strong results/goal orientation.
• Identify and resolve problems promptly; develop alternative solutions; works well in a team atmosphere.
• Strong analytical abilities and a commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant products are essential.
• Working knowledge of industry practices and the marketplace associated with fielded products or services.
• Display original thinking and creativity; Meet challenges with resourcefulness; Generate suggestions for improving work.
• Able to effectively demonstrate business skills and simultaneously lead multiple projects and cross-functional matrixed teams.
• Highly skilled in communicating and presenting product information both verbally and written, internally and externally; across all mediums, audiences, and situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities that may have competing resources and demands.
• Model and support the organization’s goals and values; adapt to changing conditions; demonstrate persistence and overcome obstacles.
• Understanding of Requirements Management, including change configuration management, traceability, validation and verification, and scope management.
• Agility and personal adaptability with the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities with a high sense of urgency in a rapidly changing environment.

Other Qualifications, Experience, or Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 25-50% if necessary.
• Requires the ability to use a variety of office/production related equipment such as a calculator, telephone, photocopier, computer printer, and precision measuring instrument.
• Requires a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle while carefully observing all traffic rules and regulations.
• Work beyond the traditional 40 hours per week may be required as workload or projects dictate, including weekends and holidays (this verbiage shall be retained for all job descriptions).