Product Manager

Product Manager

Takeuchi is a pioneer in the compact equipment industry. Takeuchi developed the world's first compact excavator in 1970, and our innovation struck another major milestone in the 1980s with the introduction of the first compact track loader. These two products have transformed the North American construction equipment markets and have positioned Takeuchi as a leading provider of compact equipment. We pride ourselves on continuous innovation, exceptional quality, and unwavering customer satisfaction.

Job Summary: Responsible for the product management of assigned product line throughout the complete life cycle to include supporting the field staff, providing market intelligence, establishing pricing, and identify market opportunities. The Product management role will be responsible for gathering the voice of the customer, determining competitive advantages, and identifying feature and benefit requirements to determine our market position and new machine offerings. Additionally, this position will provide product training at our annual sales training events both locally and regionally when needed as well as assist with trade shows.

Essential Functions:

1. Responsible for Product Management of assigned product group for the entire life cycle of the equipment.
2. Ability to effectively communicate with personnel from different countries and help design and configure machines based on needs for specific market requirements.
3. Travel as required to gain product knowledge and conduct product training as necessary.
4. Field questions regarding equipment performance specifications or capabilities.
5. Aid in the development of product plans, marketing plans, training programs, pricing, and competitive strategies that achieve company objectives.
6. Establish introductory strategies for products, attachments, pricing, and develop training materials for national and localized training events.
7. Manage market intelligence, training materials, new products, and options introduction process.
8. Know our products, our competitors, our strengths and weaknesses, and be able to communicate to the field how to sell our machines, especially via product training
9. Responsible for attachment review, approval, and vendor selection
10. Develop and maintain product line marketing and new product development plans
11. Develop and maintain the product line standards and options offering. Coordinate price list development with the inside sales department ensuring configuration and specification accuracy.
12. Manage new model and options introduction process with all supporting departments (sales, marketing, service, parts, manufacturing, engineering, etc.)
13. Assist in the creation and maintenance of competitive price evaluations for key models.
14. Participate in dealer events, trade shows and training programs as directed.
15. Deliver consistent message for training materials throughout all product lines.
16. Create and maintain a demonstration process and training manual.
17. Assist in the development and maintenance of content that drives outside communication via advertising, the internet, extranet, trade magazines, etc. (working in conjunction with the Marketing Dept).
18. Coordinate with the Marketing Dept. to ensure website content for technical accuracy.
19. Develop product bulletins and additional support materials to promote the brand and communicate product changes and updates to the field.
20. Develop, maintain, and communicate the product roadmap to align with customer needs, market trends, business objectives, and new product development timelines

Additional Responsibilities:

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Four year college degree preferred or equivalent position experience.
• Professional or technical training in mechanics.
• Minimum of 5 years experience of Product Management at the OEM or Large Fleet User Level
• Exceptional knowledge of diesel engines, and hydraulic, and electrical systems.
• Strong proficiency in computers and a basic understanding of Microsoft operating systems.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication is required.
• Ability to develop systematic training programs with clear goals and objectives.
• Self-starter and goal-oriented.
• Must be willing to travel up to 30% annually.
• Capability to execute and complete required tasks with little or no supervision.