Product Manager

BASIC FUNCTIONS :

•    Owner, Evangelist, and SPOC for the assigned categories.

•    Responsible for the topline and bottom-line for the assigned categories.

•    Responsible for the lifecycle management of the category, including          conceptualization, business case creation, new product development, cross functional resource requisition, product enhancements, and obsolescence.

•    Responsible for understanding consumer trends (through research, trade partner conversations) and competition landscape to further the long-term strategy for the category. Decisions made on products produced, manufacturing capacities, marketing strategies, and the need for engineering inputs will be largely influenced by the data and analysis generated by and recommendations made by the Product Manager.

•    He/she is to coordinate and work closely with the Plant and to suppliers through procurement as case the may be to ensure all product issues and enhancements are well taken care of.

•    Cross functional collaboration with all necessary verticals. The list presented in representative and not exhaustive Engineering, Industrial Designing, Sales, Communications, Showrooms, Technical support, Finance, legal and Supply Chain.
 
•    Cross Geography line of sight and communication to include Kohler product teams and production units in China, USA, Thailand, South Korea et’ all. Operate as the recognized central authority on all marketing matters related to assigned products in India.

RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS

Supervisory Relationships :

    Reports to Category Head

Attitude and Intent :

    Extreme Ownership – The art of getting the job done.
    Resilience – To not be let down at the first set back.
    Team first.
    Quantify business opportunities to be able to have share of resources 
    Be prepared to start from:
1.    Scratch
2.    Create POC
3.    Observe outcome 
4.    Repeat 2 & 3 relentlessly

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

•    Develop long-term marketing plans for assigned product lines. Incorporate sales, advertising, research and promotional efforts required to meet current and projected market objectives
•    Prepare annual marketing plans for assigned products
•    Lead the New Product Development of the category. Work closely with Industrial Design team to design the product and with Product Engineering to close the technical features of the product. Build business case for all New Products proposed to get Management Sign Off on Capital Budget

•    Take pride:
    in adherence to Kohler new product development process
    delivering on time launches 
    Value maximization for customers with high quality products 
    Value maximization for Kohler Co. adhering to planned costs and channel plans
•    Develop plans for introducing and discontinuing products in line with marketing group's long-range market objectives
•    Manage product prices (including those of spare parts), terms of sale and discounts recognizing out objectives and our competition
•    Conduct Market Research to understand the consumer behavior and trends to ensure that the category remains on the leading edge of technology and innovation
•    Become Subject Matter Expert on assigned product markets including a complete intelligence file on competitors' pricing, field activity, customer service channels of market distribution and end-user preferences. Become familiar with product materials, manufacturing, packaging, transportation and promotions
•    Relate and recommend changes in established market distribution and strategy as necessitated by market and consumer preferences
•    Coordinate with approbation and engineer leader for the product or category to adhere to local testing requirements, interpretation of plumbing/electrical codes and ensuring dissemination of this information to the field sales and business development organization in customer friendly lexicon. 
•    Seek legal advice from corporate counsel to insure propriety of pricing mechanism, trademarks, product labeling, policies and contractual agreements 

Internal/External Business Relationships

•    Intimate connect with internal and external customers to stay updated market information on product sales and market trends. The customers include Kohler Sales and Business development team dealers and trade partners, builders, end customers/consumers, architects, engineers, plumbing contractors, O.E.M. users and retail outlets
•    Work with Engineering to develop New Product Concepts and plan Product Enhancements
•    Work closely with the plant/procurement and supply chain to ensure timely launch and smooth delivery of products
•    Forward Looking: Attend trade shows, exhibits, seminars, marketing conferences, create connect with vendors, suppliers, competition to draw inspiration for next gen products/categories.

Skills and Knowledge :

•    Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a reputed institute/university. 
•    An MBA with specialization in Sales & Marketing Management from a premiere business school.
•    At least 8 years of relevant prost qualification experience in organizations of repute.
•    Proven Marketing experience.
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skill 
•    Being flexible to work with cross cultural teams and customers. 
•    Possesses / demonstrates potential to acquire relevant category/product knowledge.
•    Willing to travel.