Product Manager

**Location**: France

**Opportunity**

Under the supervision of the Associate Director, Kohler Energy, the Product Manager will develop, manage, and deploy strategic plans to grow aftermarket parts business within NPD/SPD processes. Operate as the Group’s recognized central authority on all product marketing and business matters related to Aftermarket Parts.

Other competencies associated with primary function and scope follow:

- Aftermarket Product Life Cycle management
- 4’P experience: Price, Product, Promotion and Placement
- Business intelligence exposure - Strategic data analysis
- Global mindset to address complex business situations and decisions
- Dealership and direct dealer network management - Customer intimacy.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1/ NPD/SPD Involvement

Lead and participate in the NPD/SPD internal gate process to support product development, releases, and launches.

2/ Aftermarket PLCM - Product Life Cycle Management

Develop and implement a business plan to effectively manage PLC (Product Life Cycle) to support our distribution and dealer network to strategize and prioritize our part business, new part developments and obsolete components.

3/ Strategic Marketing: 4P’s

Lead our Aftermarket Parts business understanding and managing effectively: product, pricing, promotion, and placement to support dealership network.

4/ Business Intelligence

Develop and maintain a library of voice-of-the-customer tools and market intelligence data to prioritize tactical and strategic initiatives

Operate as the Group’s recognized central authority on assigned aftermarket products, competitor’s activities, and the aftermarket marketing’s participation in it.

Provide top management with information and recommendations on the most profitable strategies for the business with short
- and long-term marketing plans.

Manage all products in assigned line throughout all stages of their life cycle, developing strategies for development, introduction, continuing contribution, and discontinuance, while maximizing their profitable existence and synergism with all products of the business.

Work in close contact with communications and channel marketing to develop promotional plans, advertising campaigns, catalogs, brochures, displays, exhibits, and other support material.

Closely monitor and steer all Engineering and Manufacturing activities concerned with new product or new technology development and product maintenance activities related to the category.

Prioritize the efforts of Manufacturing through necessary forecasts and product information as they relate to customer service.

Coordinate with the Legal Department and Group Engineering the obtaining and protection of proprietary rights to as many new and existing products in the line as possible.

Develop and present product training programs and information on products in coordination with channel marketing for the Field Sales organization and the business’ customers. Coordinate responses to customer and consumer inquiries regarding product variations and technical questions.

Work with other Product Managers and Marketing staff members to maximize the return of all the Group’s products.

RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS

Supervisory Relationships: Reports to Global Business Development Manager.

Direct Reports: none at the present time.

Organization Relationships:

- Marketing Department personnel including KPS Product Managers, Channel Directors, Analysts, and all other company Marketing Personnel.
- Members of top management.
- Members of Sales, Customer Service, Production Engineering, Research and Development, Industrial Design, Materials Control, Legal, Advertising, Manufacturing, and Accounting.

External Business Relationships:

- Customers, distributors, builders, contractors, architects, engineers, designers, consumers, subsidiaries, OEM users, and retail outlets.
- Sales and technical representatives from outside the company.
- Attend trade shows, conventions, and seminars.

**Skills/Requirements**

Bachelors’ degree required in business, marketing, or engineering. MBA preferred.

At least 5 years of experience is required. Customer relationship management and aftermarket sales experience in a global manufacturing environment preferred. Experience within Generator Division is a plus.

Strong problem-solving, writing and presentation skills are required.

Must have a passion for aftermarket growth and customer relationship management. Responsible for leading projects and working independently to meet deadlines and commitments to support the department. Must be goal oriented and result driven.

Experience with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Tools and SAP/QAD

**Why Work at Kohler Co.?**

Kohler Co.'s mission is to contribute to a higher level of gracious living for those who are touched by our products and services. We understand that it takes investment in our associates’ development to make that happen. So, we offer ongoing inv