Product Manager - Columbia, SC

Product Marketing Manager - Columbia, SC   (Shakespeare)

Position Summary

Reporting to the Business Director - Polymers & Filaments), the Product Marketing Manager is responsible for both product planning and marketing for the Polymers & Filaments commercial team. This includes managing the product throughout the product lifecycle, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with engineering, manufacturing and sales to deliver winning product value propositions. The Product Manager ensures that the product and marketing efforts support the company’s overall strategy and goals.   ***  Please note:  This is not an IT role.  Product strategy and marketing for manufactured components is the preferred skill set and experience for this role. ***

Essential Functions

• Assist Polymers & Filaments Business Director in defining the product strategy and roadmap
• Work across functional lines to optimize profitability of current product portfolio
• Maintain project pipeline database and reporting
• Support feedback from customers on product improvement initiatives and quality
• Coordinate core positioning and messaging for Engineered Nylons, Conductive Fibers, Performance Monofilaments product families
• Develop customer/application/market specific presentations to highlight Shakespeare products.
• Analyze current customer data and propose actions to maintain and grow business
• Develop sales tools and collateral
• Participate in planning process by projecting future growth
• Assist sales team in identifying and evaluating market qualified leads through the website, social media, etc.
• Gain a deep understanding of customer experience, identify and fill product gaps and generate new ideas that grow market share, improve customer experience and drive growth
• Develop product pricing and positioning strategies
• Translate product strategy into detailed requirements and prototypes
• Scope and prioritize activities based on business and customer impact
• Work closely with engineering teams to deliver with quick time-to-market and optimal resources
• Drive product launches including working with public relations team, executives, and other product management team members
• Evaluate promotional plans to ensure that they are consistent with product line strategy and that the message is effectively conveyed
• Act as a product advocate to build awareness and understanding
• Represent the company by visiting customers to solicit feedback on company products and services

Required Competencies and Skills

• Excellent written, analytical and verbal communication skills
• Excellent teamwork skills
• Microsoft Office proficiency
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority

Required education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or marketing
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Product Manager or Product Marketing Manager for Industrial Products
• Demonstrated success defining and launching products

Specifics:

• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Full benefits package
• 401K with match
• Strong vacation and corporate holiday policy