Product Manager

Department: Product Management

Reports to: Sr. Product Manager

Location: Nor-Cal Products, Inc. dba Pfeiffer Vacuum Valves & Engineering (Pfeiffer Vacuum V&E)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Last Updated: 08/07/2024

SUMMARY

The Product Manager is primarily responsible for strategically driving the life cycle of semiconductor/vacuum products from market needs analysis & idea conception through development, launch, market share capture and finally end-of-life. This is accomplished in collaboration with executive, engineering/design, operations, finance, and sales personnel; and requires excellent communications, organization, and team-work skills. The successful individual for the Product Management position must be self-motivated, detailed oriented, organized, results-focused and capable of managing multiple projects at any given time. Daily responsibilities include working hand-in-hand with Business Development Managers, Sales, other Product Managers as well as with peers in other departments, such as Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials & Quality.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exercise of judgment, discretion, and tact in all business matters and business relationships is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain clear and cooperative working relationships with co-workers and demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality are essential.
• The organization’s leadership promotes collaborative problem solving in both formal and informal work teams. Participation in and contribution to teamwork within the organization is required.
• Necessary interpersonal skills include being a self-starter, motivated, creative, flexible, self-confident, deadline oriented and able to multi-task.
• Employees must follow all quality and safety procedures of the company, including those at customer sites if applicable, and must abide by the corporate Code of Conduct in all situations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Duties

• With the input from Market Managers and other sources for market intelligence, anticipate the future applications needs of customers and determine the short- and long-term strategies and tactics for the successful marketing of semiconductor/vacuum product line(s). This is documented in the semiconductor/vacuum product roadmap.
• In coordination with R&D, define the technology roadmap and make sure it aligns with the semiconductor/vacuum product roadmap.
• Initiate, help drive and prioritize new semiconductor/vacuum product or technology development projects.
• Maintain an expert understanding and knowledge of the product line including functions, features, benefits, design aspects, areas of differentiation, pricing, positioning, and marketing techniques.
• Initiate and manage private label agreements with suppliers and customers.
• Explore and recommend the need for Joint Development activities with other companies.
• Plan, execute, oversee, and direct activities concerned with all aspects of strategic management of the product lifecycle. This may include working with Engineering, Sales, Manufacturing, and Distribution of the product lines; utilizing state-of-the-art knowledge of product technologies and production methodologies, as well as a thorough knowledge of customers and markets served.
• Act as the key authority and point of contact for project development concepts, business strategy and business models.
• Work with project managers to create and implement a comprehensive project development plan including schedules, cost targets, technical requirements, and risks from product development to launch.
• Define risks and mitigations.
• Collect, analyze, and report on data and adjust development plans as needed to facilitate a successful new product rollout.
• Represent the voice of the customer throughout the development process.
• Prepare project assessments and make recommendations whether or not to proceed with project at initiation and during milestone reviews.
• Ensure that all technical requirements are met during each phase of product development.
• Monitor competitor activities, product portfolios, and pricing to assure competitiveness.
• Set product line list prices for domestic markets and, collaborating with the Regional Sales Organizations and Global Sales Process organization, determine international market-based pricing.
• Ensure compliance to corporate guidelines for discounts and margin levels.
• Ensure all documentation is complete and available for released products, such as user manuals, spec sheets, etc.
• Travels for the purposes of coordinating efforts with Sales / Marketing/Business Development activities in giving product presentations, helping close sales opportunities, or consulting on product installations at customer locations.
• Attend and work at trade shows and conventions.
• Generate, maintain, and give product training presentations at select sales meetings and other venues.
• Measures, tracks, and reports performance of each product line, and determines appropriate corrective actions if performance results negatively deviate from expectations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 85% inside, climate / noise-controlled office, and 15% manufacturing environment or traveling; lifting to 50 lbs. on occasion. Eye and hearing protection may be required in manufacturing areas; and additional protective clothing may be required when visiting customer sites.
• Tasks require walking, sitting, bending, reaching, mobility, frequent lifting and pushing/pulling. Work requires computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, and data-entry), attention to detail and accuracy. Communication skills including listening and speaking are required for interaction with other employees, vendors, and customers. Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to balance multiple tasks and any stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job.

Secondary duties with added requirements may be assigned from time to time.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Company Values

Pfeiffer Vacuum V&E believes that we are all suppliers and customers of someone in our organization. Our employees must be able to demonstrate this customer-centric belief - which means that you are value-adding, reliable, performance-driven, innovative, service-minded, and agile – in all of their business activities. We expect that our company values of open mindedness, trust, communication, thinking strategically/being creative, being courageous, accountable, and humble, ethical sensitivity/compliance, resilience/facing diversity and fostering a culture of empowerment, engagement and collaboration will drive the actions of our employees.

General Qualifications

• Must have strong organizational and time-management skills in order to prioritize and complete competing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must have ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with coworkers, customers, and other departmental personnel in a professional and positive manner.
• Must have excellent presentation skills in a variety of settings, primarily for customer or sales presentation purposes.
• Requires ability to accurately input, manipulate and access information using moderately complex computers and software programs; with minimum software requirements being Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (or equivalent).
• Requires strong ability to work with others to share specific knowledge of semiconductor/vacuum products, processes and/or procedures in order to continuously make improvements.
• Ability to lead, influence and persuade relevant decision makers, throughout all levels of the organization, as well as relevant decision makers within customers’ organizations.

Education and/or Experience

• BS in Engineering or BS/BA in Business Administration; 48 months of equipment product management experience; 12-months of experience in semiconductor/vacuum related Product Line Management (preferred); or
• Associate degree in Business Administration, or a technically related field; plus 60-months of equipment product management experience; 24-months of experience in semiconductor/vacuum related Product Line/s Management (preferred).

Language Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Mathematical Skills

Advanced mathematics skills.

Reasoning Ability

Able to work in a fast-paced environment, with quickly changing work priorities, and with minimal interaction to complete assignments on time.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid driver license.

TOOLS AND/OR EQUIPMENT

None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position may work in various environments including office, factory, or home settings. Employees who choose to work from home are expected to comply with all company requirements for core work hours or in-person attendance at company meetings or events. (as applicable)

Pfeiffer Vacuum V&E is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, please contact Danielle Clair at 530-841-9150.

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