VP Portfolio Management, Car Audio

Description & Requirements

About the Role

You will lead a global team of experts to drive and define the Product and Platform portfolio strategy, Technology Roadmap, Innovation strategy, Customer pursuit strategy, Systems Architecture approach, and Platform reuse approach. The end goal is to position the Car Audio Business Unit to maintain the market leader in Car Audio solutions and drive profitable growth for the BU.

You’ll serve as an overall thought leader to help define what’s next for the business unit.  You’ll ensure the strategy positions HARMAN to continue to be a market and a thought leader in the Car Audio business solutions.

Your Team

The team is comprised of  ~300 professionals focusing on Business Development, Strategy and Planning

What You Will Do

• Focus on defining a Product Portfolio for the Car Audio BU that enables the BU to exceed its 2025 business targets.

• Define a Hardware, Software and Services solutions roadmap within the portfolio.  Solutions will be focused on creating a Platform Foundation that spans across all of the BU’s current and future Product lines – Speaker and Amplifiers Solutions, across different segments and regions. 

• Manage and maintain a roadmap of Product Lines that allows HARMAN to lead in the market.  Focus the company on future growth areas that drive business value and deliver a strong ROI of platform investments. 

• Conduct market intelligence and assess market competition by comparing the company's product to competitors' products

• Develop and maintain an ecosystem of partners contributing back to the Business Unit

• Define Make vs Buy options in upcoming technology areas that may be of interest to the BU as part of its growth strategies

• Work with the strategy team and support them in identifying companies and support on due diligence

• Work closely with Global Accounts to define Global and region-specific pursuit strategies.  Ensure there is a close alignment between the Platform roadmap, technology enablers and the customer needs of now and future. 

• Support overall RFQ Engagements

• Work closely with Finance Controlling and Engineering groups, Global customer Sales BUs to define and control the overall budget on platform and product investments, and to manage the portfolio of business to meet the Car Audio BU goals.

• Monitor overall investments on platform technologies and demonstrate clear ROIs. 

• Help optimize Product (CPM) business cases by closely aligning the Platform and Product. 

• Work closely with marketing and business pursuit teams to help craft an effective marketing pitch for the platforms and support showcasing Platform solutions at different venues like CES, Geneva, and Technology days

• Directly responsible for Platform Definition, Product Requirements definition, Business Development, Program management (for internal reference platform development), business sales team, and RFQ support teams. 

• Cradle to grave and support CPMs with technology and product updates for ongoing programs

• Support for lifecycle across Requirements and Design

• Contribute current knowledge and future vision of how technology and systems will enable business strategy, growth, and competitive positioning.

• Assess and prioritize all emerging technologies and innovations that HARMAN needs to invest in so that it can remain ahead of its competitors and its clients. Develop a cohesive plan for technology development and deployment that incorporates the specific needs of each of the individual businesses.

• Understand all aspects of the product lifecycle from cradle to grave, ensuring the program milestones happen on time, technologies launch successfully and software evolution strategies are in place to maximize ROI.

What You Need

• 20+ years of Product development experience.

• 20+ years managing customer projects, platforms, and end-to-end delivery experience

• 10+ years in automotive electronics development

• Bachelors of Engineering in Computer Science, Information Technology or Electrical Engineering or equivalent

• Experience in driving and leading Platforms and core development, understanding the needs of program and product execution with the technical capability to guide strategically and manage resources

• Business acumen, to gauge not just what can be done but to know what can be profitable, and a general manger perspective across different functions is a key requirement for this role. The ability to manage near-term R&D costs/risks with long-term product commercialization is a critical requirement for this position.

• Must be able to communicate effectively with customers and constituents outside the engineering organization.

• Have the ability to promote and explain technology initiatives to business leaders outside of the technology organization and to external partners and customers.

• Experience leading a significant part of a technology and business pursuit team.

• Must be a strategic technology leader. The selected individual must combine a solid technical foundation with forward-looking strategic skills to effectively develop a Platform strategy to enable HARMAN to capitalize on emerging technologies including emerging technology trends outside of HARMAN’s core domain.

• Ability to think beyond the technology itself and will understand key business drivers that ensure technology investment will provide substantial value or improvements to customers.

What is Nice to Have

• Master of Engineering in Computer Science or Information Technology or Electrical Engineering or equivalent

• Sound technical and methodical knowledge in all areas of Product Life Cycle Management

• Strong experience in Product development and agile processes

• Track record of managing large, complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

• Track record of driving business value and growth

• Teaming skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels within the organization, internally and externally.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and international travel

• Be willing to work in an office in Novi MI location

• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment

What We Offer

• Access to employee discounts on world class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG etc.)

• Inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities

• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global environment

• On-site opportunities to focus on personal well-being and development such as, onsite café, fitness center, weekly massage, fitness classes, and other onsite events promoted by our Employee resource groups

• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies

• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs

• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program

• Scholarship programs for employee family members

#LI-RV1

Pay Transparency

$ 240,000 - $ 352,000

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology 

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.  

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other. 

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘@harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: View email address on jobsearch.harman.com.

You Belong Here 

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.  

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.() 

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at  View email address on jobsearch.harman.com . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.