Karcher North America
Job Description
Job Title: Chemical Product Manager
Department: Product Management
Reports To: Director of Product Management KNA
FLSA Status: Exempt
Prepared By: Rick Hamilton
Prepared Date: 11.09.11
SUMMARY
Responsible for cleaning chemical product planning and execution throughout the product life cycle to optimize profits and meet marketing, financial, and corporate growth objectives by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Defines product strategy and roadmaps. Recommends new products and existing product enhancements and priorities based on market research, industry-specific requirements and new trends.
Trains KNA and sales distribution in technical aspects and benefits of KNA chemical solutions.
Identifies areas for growth and creates strategic product line roadmaps to help drive adoption of the new products that meet customer needs. Plans and manages product launches including creation and/or contribution to launch content.
Analyze competition and recommend product(s) to fill gaps in current product offering and improve our competitive position.
Conducts marketing analysis to develop product definitions. Develops core positioning and messaging for each product.
Collaborates with a wide variety of functional areas such as sales, engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and operations to develop and provide product definitions responsive to customer needs and market opportunities.
Coordinates and develops marketing, sales, engineering, and financial plans for product line. Provides financial and technical justification for product selection and definition.
Works with Engineering/Project Manager to prepare product development objectives and schedules for all phases of product development and introduction to market.
Reviews progress continually through product life cycle to ensure attainment of objectives.
Actively pursue marking/product intelligence through continuous dealer, sales and customer contact.
QUALIFICATIONS 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.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree required. (Chemical Engineering Degree preferred)
Minimum 5 years business experience in related field.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Effectively present information to top management, public groups, and customers.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
REASONING ABILITY
Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Power Point, Excel and Word.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Have a broad knowledge of business to understand KNA’s business objectives, marketing strategy, brand strategy, and distribution channels. Possess a strong working knowledge of marketing, cost accounting, finance, supply chain management, and manufacturing processes.
Develop a clear understanding of KNA's vision and the role various brands play within it's structure. Possess the ability to create brand vision, mission, objectives, strategies, and tactics to develop effective product plans to support KNA’s Business Plan.
Must have the ability to lead cross-functional teams as a coach and facilitator. Set high standards and expectations and lead by example. Meet or exceed agreed-upon objectives and goals.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Travel is required, both by car and plane.
