POSITION PURPOSE

The Product Manager will be responsible to manage the overall product strategy and growth of the assigned product-line. Key responsibilities include enhancing product line profitability, deliver against growth opportunities with each sales channel and customer, develop product roadmap, launch best-in-class differentiated and innovative products, product life cycle management and SKU rationalization, development of product value proposition, features and benefits to drive a competitive advantage in each sales channel.

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop thorough understanding of product category, market size and growth, consumer needs, channel needs, consumer shopping behavior and category trends.
• Conduct competitive assessment to identify product and assortment opportunities in each sales channel (e.g., retail, commercial-industrial channels).
• Leverage primary and secondary research and marketplace trends to develop differentiated consumer value propositions and new products.
• Conduct product line assessments to identify product opportunities, rationalize unprofitable SKUS and revitalize, relaunch current portfolio to drive marketplace competitiveness and growth.
• Collaborate with supply chain and R&D teams to ensure smooth transition to new products and efficient product life cycle management.
• Collaborate with sales, channel marketing, category management and brand marketing to be successful in customer line reviews.
• Develop product portfolio and pricing strategies to drive consumer trade-up and profitability.
• Provide product launch and ongoing support to the sales team by developing compelling customer product presentations incorporating competitive product assessments, new product features and benefits, and proposed customer planogram (POG) configurations.
• Develop financial analysis to qualify new products through OWI’s new product development and change management processes.
• Ensure that the products support the brand promise, drive marketplace competitiveness and consumer relevancy, continuously exceed consumer expectations, align to pricing strategies, maintain consistency in brand quality across product categories and support ongoing innovation and differentiation.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND CAPABILITIES:

• 3-5 years of successful product management experience, preferably in automotive aftermarket consumer products.
• Passionate to build highly competitive products – need to be champions of their product categories and inspirational to all internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong experience in strategic product planning, conducting product assessments, product life cycle management and launch of new products.
• Results oriented, positive attitude, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, to achieve the product strategy and business goals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to inspire and champion their assigned products
• Ability to maintain a keen attention to detail, multitask and work well under pressure
• Bachelor’s Degree in business or related field.
• Strong financial analysis and business acumen.
• Experience working with cross-functional areas including graphics design, brand and channel marketing, sales, supply chain, technical and legal teams.
• Good conceptual, creative and analytical skills.
• Experience using ERP systems, especially SAP, preferred.
• Travel required – 10 – 15%

This opportunity offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness benefits 
• Company-matching 401(k) plan
• Company-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment benefits
• Company-paid long-term care coverage
• Company-paid disability
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Company-paid employee assistance program
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Additional benefits included: voluntary life insurance, legal benefits, critical illness, accident insurance, and pet insurance

Old World Industries is among the largest privately held companies competing in the automotive aftermarket today. Built upon a 50-year history of ingenuity, the Northbrook, Illinois-based company is transforming the automotive, commercial and chemical industries that keep the world moving forward. Old World’s brands include a full line of PEAK® Performance Automotive Aftermarket Products including Antifreeze/Coolant, Washer Fluid, Lighting and Wiper Blades; BlueDEF® Diesel Exhaust Fluid and Equipment; FINAL CHARGE® PRO-SERIES Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolant, Fleet Charge® SCA Precharged Heavy Duty Coolant and Thermal Charge® Heat Transfer Fluid.