[ref. a43995004] Product Manager- Lighting Brands
About Leviton:
At Leviton, we build what's next to light, power, and connect everyday spaces, from electrical to lighting, to data networks, and energy management. With over 115 years of history, Leviton develops thoughtful solutions that help make its customers' lives easier, safer, more efficient, and more productive.We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. We ASK questions, EMBRACE challenges, SEEK new perspectives, and ANTICIPATE what comes next. It's about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly changing world.
Overview:
Based in Northbrook, IL, Leviton designs and manufactures lighting solutions for a broad range of applications including commercial and residential environments. The range of LED products include track lighting, recessed downlights, performance cylinders, tape light and decorative luminaires.
This position is responsible for the development of products specifically for the electrical distribution and online retail channels, focused on residential applications. This position requires understanding and experience with these channels and the factors in their value chain including but not limited to electrical distribution, contractors, residential builders, and online retailers.
The Product Manager is responsible for increasing the profitability of product lines through effective management of existing product life cycles, identifying new opportunities for product and service innovation, and defining, developing, and launching new products.This requires staying in touch with trends, technological advances, competitor activities, and interaction with the Sales team and Customers.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions- This position has a direct responsibility for managing existing product offering and expanding the category with new products for that fit the market demands of the Electrical Distribution and E-Commerce channel focused on residential and light commercial electrical contractors.
- Supporting activities related to quality, cost improvements, lean manufacturing, and product customization.
- Responsible for examining, developing, and recommending product strategies, inclusive of a 3–5-year roadmap
- Champions research and analysis required for new product development process including all applicable project deliverables and Phase Gate requirements
- Takes ownership and manages all elements of the product development process, including product specification, packaging, pricing, and phase out / phase in plans
- Activities include identifying product sourcing opportunities.
- Leads and directs project teams in the development or sustaining process to execute projects and assignments
- Responsible for generating Business Proposals, Market Requirements Documents and Charters for new product development
- Attends sales meetings and visits customers and end-users as required; conducts product training presentations and research
- Capable of navigating complex enterprise computer applications to quickly become proficient
- Develops and amends market and product intelligence databases for his / her assigned products; shall be a source of intelligence concerning product and market specific issues, including the economy, competitors, and business trends
- Responsible to examine and analyze product lines' performance encompassing, but not limited to, profitability, forecasting and inventory levels
- Shall be fully knowledgeable of assigned product group(s) and act in an advisory capacity regarding product information to Engineering, Operations, Marketing, Marketing Communications, Customer Service, Tech Line, Sourcing Team, and the Sales organization
- Leads the development of supporting new product launch material with Marketing and Marketing Communication Managers
- Maintains competitive cross reference of catalog numbers for assigned products
- Capable of managing the support activities of an Associate Product Manager and / or Product Coordinator
Local Functions –
Northbrook, IL- Manage existing product lines including tracking and margins, inventory position, pricing, and competitive positioning.
- Evaluate Leviton's market position with respect to competition and business opportunities
- Build and maintain an overall 3-year strategy for product development and product life cycles
- Stay in touch with technological advancements
- Develop business plans to support new product development programs
- Interact with internal management, sales teams, electrical distributors, and customers to gain VOC on new product directions
- Serve as the voice of the market for new product development programs and provides guidance to the engineering team on critical elements of project
- Organize and lead the various Tollgate Review on new programs
- Develop the marketing story for new products and work closely with the marketing team to create effective launch support materials
- Responsible for providing a level of support to the sales organization and customers on product (technical and application questions)
- Leads the development of technical materials including specification sheets, installation instructions, technical training presentations and sales kits
- Ability to analyze P&L statements and reports and make decisions to improve performance
Ability to work in a highly confidential work environment; and the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form
Qualifications:
Skills- Experience in the distribution and lighting channel and residential lighting
- Experience with product line management throughout the entire life cycle
- Knowledge of manufacturing and operations processes
- Experience writing reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
- Experience presenting to groups of managers, employees, and the public
- Must be self-reliant and possess excellent oral and written communication skills
- Must possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy, a big-picture vision, and the drive to make that vision a reality.
- Must apply critical thinking skills to determine best approach to bring new products to market and to work with engineering, operations, marketing, and sales staff.
- Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with customers
- Ability to organize and manage project teams to support the development of business opportunities and execute business decisions
- Strong mathematical, analytical and computer skills
- A highly developed level of creative skills and resourcefulness is required
- Above average knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
- Excellent time management skills
Education & Experience:
Education- A bachelor’s degree in a technical or business field is required. Master’s degree is a plus.
- 3 to 5 years of direct Product Management experience required.
- Experience with regulatory or standards organizations, such as UL, CSA and NOM is a plus.
- 2+ years of experience in the lighting industry is preferred
- Specific experience in residential and light commercial applications and lighting products would be a plus.
Travel:
- Up to 25% travel
What We Offer:
Comprehensive benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance programs
- 401K plans with employer-matching contributions
- Tuition reimbursement
- PTO
- Paid holidays
- Volunteer time off
For more information about benefits, please go to: https://careers.leviton.com/benefits
Leviton is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Leviton is committed to transparency and security in the recruitment process and will never ask for financial information, payment, or government identification numbers during the application process. For any questions, or to ensure the legitimacy of a job posting, visit the Leviton career site, or contact us at 631.812.6544.
The future looks brighter than ever. Join our team now!
Salary Range: $77,221- $102,962