AFTERMARKET PRODUCT MANAGER

Aftermarket Product Manager - Annual new product sales growth targets are set on an annual basis. These goals will involve a multi-year planning horizon. This position is a centralized voice behind Valmont Irrigation?s strategy for the aftermarket product(s) and execution, combining feedback from sales, marketing, business development, customers, and prospects to lead the execution of product plans. This position is responsible for the overall coordination and leadership of the product line. Managing these functions are essential to product-line strategy and goal achievement. Specific duties include overall responsibility for Valmont Irrigation?s product line stewardship, market and competitive analysis, and the formulation of strategic responses to market opportunities that present themselves. This position will lead cross functional teams, including newly acquired companies to drive product development initiatives and ensure they are completed on time and on budget. This position works closely with Sales and Engineering Departments to develop new products and manage updates to the existing product line. The Product Manager understands Valley customers? needs (both dealer and grower) and clearly defines them. The incumbent knows the competitor?s product line and is considered the company expert on our competitor?s products in different areas of the world. This manager will be also managing the product transition of any acquisition made for the aftermarket across the globe. Bachelor?s degree in Agriculture Business, Engineering, or relevant technical field with 3+ years relevant experience or Associates Degree with 5+ years relevant experience or 10+ years of relevant experience. Experience defining mechanical product requirements through market research and interpretation. Strategic thinker with tactical and detailed executionExpertise in the use of influence, team participation, consensus building and dealer/customer/grower communicationExperience executing successful mechanical product development products and launchesAn understanding of technologies that are currently utilized in the Valley product lineDemonstrated knowledge of product management processGood communication skills are expectedFluent English skills, Spanish and PortugueseBachelor?s degree or another Advanced Degree (MBA, MA, ME)Product Management experience with hard goods or agriculture productsMechanical and/or electrical product development experienceExperience working with a dealer distribution channel model (2 step distribution)Knowledge of the competition?s product offering in order to benchmark that equipment against the Valley equipmentProduct management responsibility on an a global scaleEssential Functions:This position reports to Global Aftermarket Business Development Vice President with dotted line reporting to the Director of Product Management. The position has no direct reports. Ability to create and execute business plans and deliver financial resultsDevelop and update business cases for new businesses pursued as well as current product portfolio KPI?s (margins, volumes, market share)Ability to establish and cultivate excellent working relationships with Engineering, Sales, Marketing and OperationsDemonstrated leadership abilitiesEffective oral and written communication skillsAbility to solve complex problems and take on large challengesAbility to define market requirements and perform data analysisPassion and integrity with the drive to excel and deliver exceptional resultsSupport the company?s M&A strategy for aftermarket. This role requires up to 20% global travel, including overnight stays and may require extended (3-4 week) stays in Valley, Nebraska and/or Uberaba, BrazilOther Important Details about the Role:Responsible for Aftermarket globally (all regions)Responsible for overall strategic planning, product development and product launches for all Valley Irrigation Aftermarket productsOwnership of the product roadmap within short, mid and long term visionTogether with the Marketing team, responsible for timely development and execution of product launch programsWorks closely with Sales, Engineering and Marketing to position products as the market leaderLead new product cross-functional mechanical development teams, driving the executing of timelines for timely project completionsFocus on products globally to ensure that product development has a global scope and reachDefines market requirements for both current and planned new equipmentProvides competitive information to Sales and the dealer network to assist in selling as well as leadership and execution of new product training sections for dealers and customers when requiredCollects and analyzes marketing information related to equipment which includes irrigation equipment trends, opportunities and customers? expectationsMaintains current knowledge of emerging/advanced technologies in the irrigation marketplace, working collaboratively with Engineering to identify potential new products that could be integrated into the Valley product linePlans and implements successful product launches in conjunction with product marketing and Sales, guaranteeing correct message is transferred to the marketAssists with developing marketing communications material to support new product launches as well as provides the necessary input for changes to existing Valley equipment marketing communication materialRecommends Valley product line extensions, opportunities and eliminationsAssists in forecasting Valley aftermarket sales for operations planningProvides equipment product management support for global stakeholders, ensuring that they are well-informed of decisions that affect the global product offeringActive cross-functional and collaborative work/communication with other Valmont PM?s around the globe, from Irrigation as well as other areas (HW, Software, etc)Organize and lead VoC (Voice of the Customer) eventsInteraction with current and new suppliers, looking for synergies or any other opportunities