Director of Product Management, Refrigeration

Responsible for managing the entire refrigeration product portfolio as well as leading the strategic development of new products by partnering with multifunctional teams, using voice of customer and market research, and competitive analysis. Manages the lifecycle of all refrigeration products, whether developed in-house or through an OEM, from development through product launch ensuring execution is in line with portfolio health goals. 

• Maintain product development timelines as set forth in the NPI project documents by managing cross-functional team and individual deadlines.
• Track product performance over its lifecycle (sales, profitability, vitality, and HIT rate) for reporting and future planning.
• Through market research and collaboration with R&D, keep a full pipeline of innovative product ideas that align with the company’s strategic objectives. There should be no less than 10 potential projects in the funnel.

• Responsible for the refrigeration product category strategy.
• Leads, plans, and tracks all phases of the product life cycle, from inception through introduction into the marketplace and the entire lifecycle of the product.
• Guides refrigeration product manager in the execution of the refrigeration strategy through management of the portfolio.
• Conducts competitive analysis of products and models offered by other manufacturers. Determines the organization’s unique value proposition for each new product offering. 
• Evaluates new product ideas to determine their potential to address customer needs and to achieve goals in revenue growth and market share (business case).
• Analyzes the feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods and market characteristics.
• Establishes product specifications, and coordinates with various functions, including engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales, to ensure successful product development and implementation.
• Participates in analytical, experimental, investigative and other fact-finding work in support of product development.
• Responsible for maintaining knowledge of new trends and products in the appropriate markets.
• May conduct focus-group research and use market research data to support sales teams and address customer issues and field quality concerns.
• Conducts market analysis/research within generally recognized “foodservice” avenues to generate new product ideas and new business (i.e. distributors, distribution center account managers, dealers and chain account end users).
• Conducts market analysis/research outside generally recognized “foodservice” avenues to generate new product ideas and new business (i.e. convenience stores, supermarkets, health care).
• Works with Marketing & Training to provide complete comprehensive customer information for marketing materials such as sales equipment brochure sheets/specifications and price lists.

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering or related field and a minimum of six years of product management experience. Management and previous experience in the foodservice equipment industry managing the product development lifecycle is preferred.

• Demonstrated track record of managing product development projects to completion
• Experience leading/facilitating a cross-functional team
• Capable of taking on and delivering project deliverables with limited guidance from senior management
• Ability to anticipate problems and issues, and effectively resolve them
• Understand the impact of new projects on other areas and can evaluative availability of resources
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and presentation skills

• Typically work is in an office environment where the noise level is low to moderate
• Requires standing and/or sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to lift boxes/materials weighing up to 10 lbs.
• Requires telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other employees and customers
• Ability to read, write, listen, and communicate effectively