Product Manager, Medium Voltage - Yaskawa America

Yaskawa America Inc. is a global leader in variable frequency drives, motion controls and robotics. We look to hire people who value a positive work environment, have a passion for technology and have a desire to learn and grow. Yaskawa's culture of continuous improvement values hiring individuals who are looking for the opportunity to stretch their current talents and skills to the next level and beyond.

Yaskawa is looking to hire a Product Manager to our rapidly growing Medium Voltage Drives Team based in our Wisconsin Location(s). The MV Product Manager will be onsite 4 days a week and will be responsible for the timely introduction of new Medium Voltage Drive products to the USA, Canadian, and Latin American Markets. This critical role will plan and coordinate Product Marketing activities, product plans and product launches. Working closely with Demand and Supply Planning to manage inventory and achieve desired service levels. The MV PM will provide all necessary tools (competitive comparisons, sales literature, price books, define technical documentation requirements, transition plans, define service and support requirements, etc.) and marketing support to sales force, to properly sell products and meet Medium Voltage Drive Product sales targets. This role will lead Product Marketing activities for Medium Voltage Drive Product Lines and contributing to Yaskawa's growth by creating the marketing direction for sales, service, customer satisfaction, engineering and production, for both long and short-term planning. More specifically, this role will have responsibilities in the following areas:

Product Responsibilities:

• Manage assigned product line through product's lifecycle.
• Coordinate the sales introduction of new products to the USA, Canadian, and Latin American markets.
• Recommend specifications for new products, using customer, competitor and market information.
• Assist in defining pricing strategy and pricing for new products.
• Communicate with MV Drives Engineering on new products and support planning for integration with parent company product plans.
• Determine and monitor-finished goods inventory for Drive products based on targets for fulfillment levels.
• Create new product plans based on the Americas market needs and present them to management for approval.
• Establish stocking strategies for all new products within Demand and Supply Planning.
• Issue a monthly forecast for MV Drives to the S&OP process.
• Coordinate phase-out plans for obsolete product and plan liquidation of no-move products.
• Chair product launch teams for all assigned product lines.
• Work with operations group to assure SAP records on price, major part number, major part description, and item categories are correct and up to date.
• Define product positioning and promotion web strategy.

Research and Reporting Responsibilities:

• Report market size, density, and trends to management.
• Demonstrate expertise in particular industry and application, including review of industry magazines, participating in related field service and start-up trips, joining industry-related organizations, attending seminars, and targeting potential customers.
• Make recommendations regarding the USA, Canadian, and Latin American Medium Voltage drive industry to management.
• Conduct special research projects as assigned.

Sales Support:

• Travel 15% - 25% to build relationships with key customers.
• Provide timely proposals to sales force MV Drive inquiries.
• Manage MV Drives price book and work with Director, MV Drives, Director Drive Sales, and Director
• Drives Distribution in the management of MV Drive Price Book policy and procedures.
• Provide inside and outside sales support for MV Drive customer orders.

Competitor Analysis:

• Maintain competitive literature files and comparison studies.
• Use industry contacts to procure competitor information, including literature, pricing, technical information and drives.
• Conduct and supervise detailed competitor analysis and product evaluation, and output results to management, factory and customers.
• Evaluate and purchase market research material for the drives industry.
• Review SPA data for market pricing trends.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skill, experience and attributes:

Qualifications:

• BS Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. A Degree in Marketing or Business is preferred or
  equivalent related work experience.
• Minimum ten years experience in the factory automation industry.
• Minimum 3 years of Sales or Marketing experience in the distribution of industrial products or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2 years knowledge of the medium voltage motor/ switchgear/drive markets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities including technical writing and presentation skills.
• Highly organized and strong analytical skills.
• PC Proficient with the ability to use Windows based applications (word processing, graphics, project management, spreadsheets, etc.).
• In depth knowledge of products related to the factory automation industry, drives, motion control, PLCs, and communication networks.
• Strong Project Management skills
• Proficient in general business office procedures and capable of prioritizing work flow.
• Experience with market analysis and product planning.
• Exceptional business acumen and grasp of business strategy.
• Onsite, 4 Days a week in office.

We offer the opportunity to experience the excitement, challenge and rewards of working in a fast growing, industry leading company. Some key advantages to working at Yaskawa include working in a global environment with interactions to numerous cultures, opportunities for career growth, a highly competitive benefit package, including a generous 401K matching plan, profit sharing and educational assistance programs up to $10,000 a year for graduate study.

If you would like to work with a world class organization, a winning team and rapidly growing business segment - we would like to hear from you!