Technical Product Manager
About the role
We are seeking a Technical Product Manager in our Product Management Dept. in Elgin, IL. This is a customer-facing technical and commercial role responsible for supporting, positioning, and growing assigned HARTING product lines. Serving as the primary expert for complex technical and application-specific topics on assigned product lines, this role partners closely with sales teams, customers, and global subsidiaries to develop differentiated solutions that drive customer adoption. The position owns the full product lifecycle—including product optimizations, line extensions, and discontinuations—while delivering revenue growth and margin performance. Working cross-functionally with Product Development, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, and Finance, the Technical Product Manager drives product modifications, monitors cost trends, leads cost improvement initiatives, supports product development projects, and enables sales effectiveness through value-based positioning, market and competitor analysis, and internal product training.
Responsibilities
- Develop customer value propositions that clearly differentiate HARTING solutions from competitor offerings
- Partner with sales teams and customers to define requirements for product modifications that meet application needs and drive adoption
- Lead and manage product modifications in collaboration with Product Development, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, and Finance
- Provide product management support for product development projects
- Serve as the primary technical resource for complex technical and application-specific inquiries from sales and customers
- Manage the full product lifecycle, including product optimizations, line extensions, and discontinuations
- Achieve revenue and margin targets for assigned product lines
- Maintain and monitor manufacturing cost trends and initiate corrective actions as required
- Proactively identify and drive cost improvement opportunities
- Conduct market and competitor analysis for assigned product lines
- Deliver internal product training to sales and commercial teams
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university in an engineering discipline, preferably electrical or mechanical
- 4+ years of relevant professional experience
- Proficiency with Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office applications, including presentation software
- Strong analytical and conceptual problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally
- Strong intracultural awareness
- 15–25% travel required
- Valid passport required for periodic international travel
Qualifications
- Highly driven to develop customer value propositions that clearly differentiate HARTING solutions from competitor offerings
- Willing and able to partner with sales teams and customers to define requirements for product modifications that meet application needs and drive adoption
- Capable of leading and managing product modifications in collaboration with Product Development, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, and Finance
- Skilled in providing product management support for product development projects
- Experienced in serving as the primary technical resource for complex technical and application-specific inquiries from sales and customers
- Proficient in managing the full product lifecycle, including product optimizations, line extensions, and discontinuations
- Capable of achieving revenue and margin targets for assigned product lines
- Skilled in maintaining and monitoring manufacturing cost trends and initiating corrective actions as required
- Proactive in identifying and driving cost improvement opportunities
- Experienced in conducting market and competitor analysis for assigned product lines
- Skilled in delivering internal product training to sales and commercial teams
Skills and experience
- Highly driven to develop customer value propositions that clearly differentiate HARTING solutions from competitor offerings
- Willing and able to partner with sales teams and customers to define requirements for product modifications that meet application needs and drive adoption
- Capable of leading and managing product modifications in collaboration with Product Development, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, and Finance
- Skilled in providing product management support for product development projects
- Experienced in serving as the primary technical resource for complex technical and application-specific inquiries from sales and customers
- Proficient in managing the full product lifecycle, including product optimizations, line extensions, and discontinuations
- Capable of achieving revenue and margin targets for assigned product lines
- Skilled in maintaining and monitoring manufacturing cost trends and initiating corrective actions as required
- Proactive in identifying and driving cost improvement opportunities
- Experienced in conducting market and competitor analysis for assigned product lines
- Skilled in delivering internal product training to sales and commercial teams
Pay
Competitive base salary: $90,000 - $120,000 (commensurate with experience, subject to change dependent on physical location).
This role is eligible for a 15% discretionary annual bonus.
Schedule
HARTING USA offers a hybrid working policy.
Benefits
- 21 days PTO (Paid Time Off) to start – quickly earn more PTO as you stick with us (36 days max).
- Medical, dental, and vision Insurance – several Blue Cross Blue Shield plan options to choose from.
- Company-sponsored life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability – at no cost to employee.
- Paid parental leave, tuition and fitness reimbursement, and a hybrid working policy.
- 401(k) with a 4% dollar-for-dollar match – fully vested upon eligibility!