The Toro Company Hiring for Product Manager Job at El Cajon, CA Full Time

Major Function

Manage specific product categories to maintain existing markets, while also identifying future product development and growth opportunities related to the core products. Drive new product development within this product group, establish technical product specifications, coordinate and track all activities with internal and with outside partner suppliers. Provide input into internal development projects and assist in planning sales volume, profit contribution and ROI. Maintain technical data and support materials to assist distributors and end-users to provide input into development of marketing support materials. Specific attention to the agricultural market will be required with development of products and tools such as catalogues, instruction manuals, specification binders and support materials.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administration & maintenance of existing product line; performs monthly audit of sales volume & profit to identify areas for improvement.

• Define new product requirements; maintain constant field contact with distributors, sales force and installers to ensure new products meet customers expectations.

• Coordinate new product development and changes to existing product line; interface with R&D and manufacturing frequently through the development process in order to ensures that product meets reasonable expectations.

• Manages and executes divisional product development plans through developing and setting product specification and cost goals; provide project write-up information, market conditions, competitive positions, etc.; monitor and provide input to ongoing engineering projects.

• Develop new product launch materials to support field staff and distributors; sales material and provide full product training; evaluation/modification of other marketing collateral; competitive evaluations and selling points; development of product update reports and regular distribution to the field.

• Analysis of competitive positioning; attend trade shows, conventions, distributor meetings, customer visits and industry association meetings; collect competitive literature and maintain a competitive library.

• Introduce new product ideas to management; interpret customer needs for first time trial of new products; assist in development of programs to ensure that new product sales recover investment in stated times.

• Maintain and update product information files for use in new distributor or new staff training, customer presentations, internal staff training and meetings, development of new catalogues, videos, etc.

• Maintain product line offering by managing on-going relationships with allied companies, development of manuals and distribution to other plants, technical data files and international reference files for certification processes, development of technical bulletins and other communications.

• Administer field training.

• Coordinate the creation and maintenance of all technical publications.

• Other duties may be assigned.

Job Dimensions

Working Relationships : The ability to work directly with engineering, sales, customers, administration, marketing, manufacturing, and after-market support.

Decision Making : Ability to make policy and program recommendations when creating new product parameter statements, project justifications and capital expenditure proposals, and in performing line profit analysis. Ability to make fact based recommendations on the production of products when confronted by field/quality issues.

Problem Solving Challenges : Ability to solve challenges encountered when defining new product performance and specification parameters through formal and informal market research and QFD processes; and when administering and executing new product releases, creating sales support and promotional programs. Resolution of field/quality issues.

Specifications

• Education: Bachelors degree (BA or BS) in Marketing, Engineering, or Agronomy; Masters in Business Administration (MBA) preferred, or equivalent experience.

• Experience: BA/BS degree and 4+ years or MBA and 2+ years experience in a product management role, development of market plans, analytical spreadsheets, and proposals.

• Strong project management and supervisory skills.

• Skilled in leading and managing cross functional teams.

• Understanding of business principles.

• Experience in the irrigation industry or general agricultural markets helpful.

• Computer Skills: Ability to use a personal computer and related software required for the successful completion of job-related tasks. Must be proficient in Excel.

• Communication Skills: Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills. Spanish language highly desirable.

• Travel: 25-30% travel may be required.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.