Product Manager II - Hardware

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Acting as a cross functional leader, the Product Manager II – Hardware is responsible for life cycle management of new land mobile radio products for EFJohnson, focusing on the next generation portable and vehicular radios for Mission Critical Public Safety communication users.

We're looking for a highly motivated person for the EF Johnson product management team. In this role, the Product Manager II will provide technical and operational product leadership to multiple departments within and outside the organization. This position will fill a wide array of activities on a day-to-day basis. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced product manager dealing with complex hardware products. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Manages the lifecycle of Viking portable and mobile products from Launch to End of Life.  This includes performing market research, identifying gaps, pricing, competitive analysis, product development and launch, lifecycle management such as replacement and end-of-life management.   
• Creates product requirement documents that includes user requirements, hardware performance, features, agency approvals, cost targets, expected customer use and philosophy of configuration, manufacturing/sourcing, and service.  
• Able to define and refine top-level product architectures, including identifying and specifying equipment interfaces and user interfaces. 
• Works closely with the software and accessory product management to ensure the ecosystem of hardware, software and accessory works well together. 
• Performs sales forecasting to justify new product development.
• Gathers product feature needs from sales, manufacturer’s representatives, dealers, and end-use customers by conducting product need interviews, conducting data analysis of product reports, and evaluation of competitive offerings. 
• Maintains the product roadmap including planned releases, new product launches, and end-of-life product schedules with management input.   

• Coordinate the beta testing of products under development between engineering, sales and customers. Coordinate with the Sales team for the system acceptance testing of new products with customers. 
• Captures feedback on functionalities and drive that feedback into product development through engineering. 

• Identifies internal support needs from sales, marketing, engineering, field services and other sources and defines fit between business unit competencies and market/customer needs.          
• Coordinates/contributes in marketing collateral generation. Seeks feedback from sales, customers, and internal operations to initiate product refinements in order to maximize commercial success.  Create content and product documentation, both traditional and online (web, mobile, email, etc.).  
• Oversees accessory and hardware specifications and ensures that controlled documentation is availability for these specifications.
• Manages the product catalog and defines product setup in configuration management tools for easy ordering. 
• Review and update product costs and pricing on a periodic basis or as-needed basis given guidance on margin goals from management.  
• Provides proposal and bid assistance and direction related to requirements satisfaction, product availability, pricing review, and identification of commitment liabilities. 
• Exhibits desirable and appropriate professional behavior including leadership, sense of urgency, independent judgment, teamwork, ability to get along with others, creative thinking, and personal integrity to provide for a cohesive, productive unit dedicated to the achievement of corporate goals. 

• Agrees to abide by the established Approval Matrix.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• 5 years of experience in product management, preferably in handheld devices. 
• Must have experience launching new hardware products and experience with product lifecycle.
• Experience managing or developing hardware and electronic accessories.
• Must be great communicator. 
• Must be able to think strategically but also tactical execute project requirements. 
• Technical undergraduate degree in one of the following: Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Audio Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Business Administration with strong Technical focus
• Masters of Engineering Management, MBA, or Product Management Certification preferred.

DESIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Experience with RF and wireless systems technology.
• Experience with land mobile two-way radios & systems is highly desired.
• Experience with audio devices.
• Experience with highly reliable, ruggedized devices used in extreme environments.
• Experience with waterfall development environment for highly reliable hardware and software.
• Proven expertise in Microsoft Office Applications.
• Experience using product management tools such as Atlassian Jira. 
• Experience with formal engineering change management processes. 
• Executive level communications and selling skills. Must be able to expertly articulate ideas, analysis, and findings.

COMPETENCIES: 

• Competence in project management and business analysis 
• Capable of organizing and coordinating teams within and across business units, including international teams.
• Capable of understanding technically complex systems and products and translating them into easily understood business terms.
• Adaptable to fast-paced environment. 

TRAVEL

• Up to 25% 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.