Product Manager (Tape Light) at Leviton Manufacturing

At Leviton, we build what's next to light, power, and connect everyday spaces, from electrical to lighting, to data networks, and energy management.  With over 115 years of history, Leviton develops thoughtful solutions that help make its customers' lives easier, safer, more efficient, and more productive.  We recognize that our people are our greatest asset.  We ASK questions, EMBRACE challenges, SEEK new perspectives, and ANTICIPATE what comes next.  It's about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly changing world.

Based in Northbrook, IL, Leviton’s ConTech Lighting designs and manufactures lighting solutions for a broad range of applications including commercial and residential environments. The range of LED products include track lighting, recessed downlights, performance cylinders, tape light and decorative luminaires.

The Product Manager is responsible for increasing the profitability of product lines through effective management of existing product life cycles, identifying new opportunities, and defining, developing, and launching new products. This requires staying in touch with application trends, technology advances, competitor activities, and interaction with the Sales team and Customers.

Essential Functions

• Has direct responsibility for managing 3-4 new and existing product lines
• Supporting activities related to quality, cost improvements, lean manufacturing, and product customization.
• Responsible for examining, developing, and recommending product strategies, inclusive of a 3-5 year roadmap
• Champions research and analysis required for new product development process including all applicable project deliverables and Phase Gate requirements
• Takes ownership and manages all elements of the product development process, including product specification, packaging, pricing, and phase out / phase in plans
• Leads and directs project teams in the development or sustaining process to execute projects and assignments
• Responsible for generating Business Proposals, Market Requirements Documents and Charters for new product development
• Attends sales meetings and visits customers and end-users as required; conducts product training presentations and research
• Capable of navigating complex enterprise computer applications to quickly become proficient
• Develops and amends market and product intelligence database for his / her assigned products; shall be a source of intelligence concerning product and market specific issues, including the economy, competitors, and business trends
• Responsible to examine and analyze product lines' performance encompassing, but not limited to, profitability, forecasting and inventory levels
• Shall be fully knowledgeable of assigned product group(s) and act in an advisory capacity regarding product information to Engineering, Operations, Marketing, Marketing Communications, Customer Service, Tech Line, and the Sales organization
• Assists in the development of supporting new product launch material with Marketing and Marketing Communication Managers
• Maintains competitive cross reference of catalog numbers for assigned products
• Capable of managing the support activities of an Associate Product Manager and / or Product Coordinator

Local Fundtions -

Northbrook

• Manage existing product lines including tracking and margins, inventory position, pricing, and competitive positioning.
• Evaluate ConTech's market position with respect to competition and business opportunities
• Build and maintain an overall 3 year strategy for product development and product life cycles
• Stay in touch with technology advancements in the industry
• Develop business plans to support  new product development programs
• Interact with internal management, ConTech's agents and customers to gain VOC on new product directions
• Serve as the voice of market for new product development programs and provides guidance to the engineering team on critical elements of project
• Organize and lead the various Tollgate Review on new programs
• Develop the marketing story for new products and works closely with the marketing team to create effective launch support materials
• Responsible to provide a level of support to the sales organization and customers on product (technical and application questions)
• Leads the development of technical materials including specification sheets, installation instructions, technical training presentations and sales kits
• Ability to analyze P&L statement and reports and make decision to improve performance
• Ability to work in a highly confidential work environment; and the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form

• Education

  • A Bachelor's Degree in a technical or business field is required. Master’s degree is a plus.

   

  Experience

  • 3 to 5 years of direct Product Management experience required.
  • Experience with regulatory or standards organizations, such as UL, CSA and NOM is a plus.
  • 2+ years of experience in the lighting industry is preferred
  • Specific experience in architectural tape-light applications or products would be a plus.

Skills

• Experience with product line management throughout the entire life cycle
• Knowledge of manufacturing and operations processes
• Experience writing reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Experience presenting to groups of managers, employees, and the general public
• Must be self-reliant and possess excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy, a big-picture vision, and the drive to make that vision a reality.
• Must apply critical thinking skills to determine best approach to bring new products to market and to work with engineering, operations, marketing, and sales staffs.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with customers
• Ability to organize and manage project teams to support the development of business opportunities and execute business decisions
• Strong mathematical, analytical and computer skills
• A highly developed level of creative skills and resourcefulness is required
• Above average knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
• Excellent time management skills 

Travel

• Up to 25% travel

Leviton is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status

Comprehensive benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance programs
• 401K plans with employer-matching contributions
• Tuition reimbursement
• PTO
• Paid holidays
• Volunteer time off

For more information about benefits, please go to: https://careers.leviton.com/benefits

Leviton is an EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The future looks brighter than ever.  Join our team now!