Product Manager - Dampers

Product Manager 2-3 - Dampers

LOCATION:

Avon / Ohio (US-OH), United States | BRAND:
Bendix | REQUISITION  | JOB GRADE: 17

| ON-SITE/REMOTE:
Hybrid

Want to help shape tomorrow? At Bendix, we set the standard with advanced dynamic solutions that drive improved commercial vehicle performance and safety. We're part of the Knorr-Bremse Group, the global leader in braking technologies. As part of our team, you'll collaborate with a world of talented and dedicated colleagues whose sense of purpose complements your own. You'll find rewarding opportunities, diverse experiences, partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position Summary:

The Product Manager 2-3, Dampers position is accountable to drive the overall performance, strategy, and lifecycle management of the North American Dampers product portfolio. This position guides a cross-functional team (indirect) while owns portfolio-level decisions spanning growth, profitability, product roadmap, investment prioritization, and end-of-life management. This position balances customer requirements, market trends, engineering capacity, manufacturing capability, and financial performance across OE and Aftermarket channels.

Essential Functions:

* Responsible for managing and implementing the Damper product portfolio strategy including ideation, development, and end-of-life

* Manages the Damper profitability of the product line through cost reduction programs, growth, pricing, through improved plant operating performance

* Works with the Product Group director to develop the Strategic Planning (STRAP), Mid-Term Operating Plan (MOP), and Risk/Opportunity output for the assigned product lines, present them to Business Unit leadership and deliver results based on the plans

* Develop and mentor others, and regularly engage with peers in all PG's for evaluation of best practices and to propose continuous improvement efforts as applicable

* Lead multifunctional integrated program teams, strong interface and building relationships with external customers and OE/AM sales

* Responsible for Excess & Obsolescence (E&O), warranty investigation, customer Request for Quote (RFQ), and Sales Planning for the assigned portfolio

* Lead new production introductions, change management, and ongoing C&S of the current business

* Engage regularly with the global R&D teams and Product Owners to provide input to the product backlog, while ensuring robustness of business cases across the assigned portfolio - including SG&A, R&D Resources, capital needs and global impacts

* Periodic presentations to executive management on the business status of the product portfolio, including key project updates

* Build and lead relationships with key supplier partners, collaborating with GPE on critical contract negotiations, milestone planning, financial arrangements, and long-term strategies, while also simultaneously leading supplier meetings to track and resolve open items

* Build strong relationship and influence with both customer and suppliers to drive profitability and sustainability of product portfolio assigned

* Monitor the market and define the company's short, mid, long-term strategy for the assigned portfolio, including new business cases, customers, markets, and potential M&A

Knowledge:

* Strong understanding of Bendix systems: electrical, safety systems, and air brake systems.

* Strong technical knowledge of respective system components and impact on overall vehicle performance.

* Intermediate in the design and/or manufacturing processes used to produce respective system components.

* Demonstrate strategic planning skills.

* Demonstrate knowledge in authorizing and developing a business case and financial P&L elements.

* Intermediate understanding of the trucking industry - its' customers, manufacturers, associations, and regulatory issues.

Skills:

* Excellent strategic and visionary thinking skills

* Ability to prioritize time, resources, targets, and goals

* Ability to work with international teams and adapt to diversity and challenges of local and global working teams

* Ability to understand complex problems and develop effective solutions

* Ability to innovate, develop, and execute against all product initiatives

* Strong analytical and research capabilities to evaluate categorical opportunities and challenges and uncover new consumer insights

* Excellent understanding and embracing of the importance of communication and its role relative to the consumer

* Ability to have a proficient understanding of the consumer and competitive dynamics of the brand

* Excellent business management and negotiation skills

* Strong interpersonal,…