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Alltech Automotive LLC., a dynamic global automotive supplier, is seeking a Product Manager to support our Libertyville, IL location. They would have global responsibility for business development, product and process development covering manufacturing and sales on brakes, suspension and steering applications in the Car and Light Commercial Vehicle Industry. Alltech has a global structure covering Sales all over the World as well as Manufacturing facilities in Asia.

Responsibilities include:

Product Manager - oversee market price competitiveness and identify and coordinate the addition of new product categories to our automotive assortment. The applicant will be responsible for developing and executing product strategies, objectives, budgets and promotions for a variety of product lines throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Result Areas:

1. Product Line Development - Develop, forecast, implement and monitor product lines.
2. New Product Launches - Lead cross-functional teams in the development, design, and launch of products.
3. Market Research - Coordinate market and competitive research to identify industry needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing the sales team with technical expertise to enable them to sell our products. Act as a category expert in your product categories
• Responsible for reviewing product data to ensure that the team is kept current on new developments regarding the companies and competitors’ products.
• Act as point of first reference for all product related enquiries for the Industrial Automotive segment and work collaboratively with the team to address any issues that may arise.
• Design market research projects to assess customer attitudes to current product range and new product introductions.
• Liaise extensively with purchasing, quality control, engineering, merchandising and other internal departments to assist the team in managing their day-to-day business requirements.
• Work closely with management to develop business plans and attainable margins to establish the viability of new product offerings.
• Attend industry trade shows and conduct market research to find new products.
• Experience in hydraulic systems, brake parts, steering parts and sensors preferred.
• Sharp, detail oriented, analytical and able to develop and deliver reports to track progress.
• Act as a category expert in your product categories
• Engineering Support for technical information in efforts to obtain future business and satisfy customers’ questions.
• Manage the entire product life cycle from strategic planning to tactical activities.
• Special technical projects and presentations about new product availability
• Define new product initiatives while optimizing the ongoing product line for maximum profitability, quality and integration within an innovation-driven platform
• Contribute to new business development efforts, including new category and new channel assessment
• Prepare Market Requirements Document and product specifications along with the product development / engineering team
• Evaluate ideas and suggestions for new products, investigate market opportunities and effect on market for present products, and recommend the development of economically attractive products
• Lead implementation of new product launches outlined in the product marketing plan
• Responsible for acquiring, updating, and comparison of company product performance vs. competitive performance, and competitive landscaping (pricing, features, applications, and innovation)
• Conduct Original Equipment (OE) Research

Qualifications:

• Five years experience in automotive aftermarket industry.
• Engineer Degree is preferred
• Demonstrated success defining and launching products and programs.
• Product development experience strongly preferred.
• Technical understanding of automotive products.
• Ability to interact and communicate with all levels of the organization.
• High level of proficiency in Word, Excel, Windows, and statistical software.
• Excellent organization and planning skills – able to meet deadlines in a multi-task environment.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – experience working with cross-functional teams