Product Line Manager - Franklin, KY

Location:

Franklin, Kentucky – 521 Page Dr, Franklin, KY 42134, USA.

Geoquest USA, Inc. (formerly The Reinforced Earth Company) is recognized as the inventor and market leader in the MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) retaining wall industry. The company provides design and supply of proprietary retaining wall systems and earth‑related technologies to contractors and owners for use in civil engineering. Geothorn operates as a sub‑contractor/material supplier on DOT and privately owned projects, handling all duties from sales and marketing through civil engineering/design, supply, and construction support.

The Product Line Manager (PLM) reports to the CEO or VP, Commercial Sales and is responsible for the marketing strategy, product development, pricing, material availability of a designated product. The PLM works with Engineering on research and development, directs the sales team on target market and market strategy and pricing, and collaborates with manufacturing to determine product production.

• Leads product development, strategy, and redesign from concept through development and manufacturing to market launch.
• Develops products by identifying potential products, conducting market research, generating product requirements, developing marketing strategies, and determining specifications, production timetables, pricing, and time-integrated plans for product introduction.
• Determines customers’ needs and desires by specifying the research needed to obtain market information.
• Recommends the nature and scope of present and future product lines by reviewing product specifications and requirements, appraising new product ideas and/or product changes.
• Assesses market competition by comparing the company’s product to competitors’ products.
• Provides source data for product line communications by defining product marketing communication objectives.
• Obtains product market share by working with VP, Sales to develop product sales strategies.
• Assesses product market data by calling on customers with field salespeople and evaluating sales call results.
• Provides information for management by preparing short-term and long-term product sales forecasts and special reports and analyses, and answering questions and requests.
• Facilitates inventory turnover and product availability by reviewing and adjusting inventory levels and production schedules.
• Brings new products to market by analyzing proposed product requirements and product development programs, preparing return‑on‑investment analyses, and establishing time schedules with engineering and manufacturing.
• Introduces and markets new products by developing time‑integrated plans with sales, advertising, and production.
• Determines product pricing by utilizing market research data, reviewing production and sales costs, anticipating volume, and costing special and customized orders.
• Works with marketing and sales departments to ensure product success and market growth.
• Identifies and manages new and existing product partnerships.
• Liaison to Universities to expand knowledge, develop innovations and participate in research.
• Present White Papers as part of marketing, industry visibility and technical development.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications and content, and participating in professional societies.
• Recruits, trains, and manages product team by planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
• Completes operational requirements and meets product development deadlines by scheduling and assigning employees, and following up on work results, including quality control and testing.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, industrial engineering, or a field tied to the product’s sector (tech, finance, etc.) required. Master’s in engineering or MBA is a plus.
• 2–3 years of relevant work experience, including project management experience.
• Experience using Agile/Scrum methodology and/or workflow management tools.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) with product innovation and development track record.
• Budgeting and purchasing experience.
• Understanding of the marketplace, technical…