Product Associate​/Product Mgr - Golf & Grounds Equipment

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a school/employment or any other visa, regardless of expiration date, now or in the future.

As a Product Associate/ Product Manager I you will support the global business objectives of the Commercial and International divisions by efficiently and effectively managing assigned product line(s) through their entire life cycle. Key functions include: identifying unmet customer needs and growth opportunities and communicating them via the multi-generation product planning process (MGPP); leading new product development projects in partnership with Engineering, ensuring that customer requirements are met, and that schedule and financial targets are achieved;

working with the Marketing and Communications team to effectively and successfully launch new products, all while completing other necessary day-to-day product management tasks.

• Coordinate global Voice of the Customer (VOC) activities and other market research to fully understand customer requirements and drive decisions for assigned product line(s).
• Develop, present, and execute an annual MGPP for assigned product(s).
• Lead new product development projects, utilizing Toro’s product development stage gate process, serving as the advocate for the customer, developing and communicating clear product specifications, functionality, capability and performance requirements, and identifying necessary accessories.
• Contribute to monthly project review meetings and project stage gate approval meetings.
• Collaborate with engineering and test functions to ensure appropriate design criteria and test plan for quality and lowest possible warranty.
• Develop product launch plans in collaboration with market managers and marketing communications teams.
• Engage in the global Sales Inventory Operations Planning (SIOP) process, with primary responsibility for annual sales and inventory projections, as well as model line-up transition planning and execution as appropriate.
• Monitor and analyze retail sales, distributor order activity, and field inventory position.
• Deliver against annual net sales, retail sales, and inventory goals for product line(s).
• Collaborate with regional marketing managers, sales team, and finance team regarding market and product pricing strategies.
• Prudently manage product line budget(s).
• Regularly participate in product Design and Cost Improvement (DCI) team meetings.
• Participate in Product Quality Initiative (PQI) team analysis, action plans, and reporting.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with engineering, sales and customer care teams.
• Provide Toro internal sales people and channel partners with timely and accurate product information.
• Plan and deliver product sales training, including participation in live training events and recorded product webinars.
• Develop content for sales training tools and marketing collateral materials.
• Monitor competitive product activity, and develop competitive product comparisons for use in training Toro and distributor sales teams.
• Support industry trade shows, customer experience events, and other key divisional events, activities and initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in product management, marketing or engineering and 0-4 years of applicable experience

• Bachelor’s degree in product management, marketing or engineering and 4+ years of applicable experience (or MBA with 2+ years applicable experience) in durable goods.
• Ability to clearly understand target markets, clearly articulate customer needs, and propose product concepts and solutions to Toro internal personnel to drive incremental growth.
• Experience to include new product development in durable, service-oriented goods.
• Ability to effectively participate in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Experience managing profit and loss (P&L) statements.
• Experience marketing through a business-to-business dealer/distribution system is highly preferred.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills and influencing ability.
• Self-starter with a…