Product Manager
Industry: Construction Equipment / Heavy Machinery | Job Category: Product Management
Position Overview
A global construction equipment manufacturer with a rapidly expanding Americas business is seeking a driven, forward-thinking Product Manager to lead product strategy and lifecycle execution for its asphalt paving machine and roller portfolio. This role is critical to delivering competitive, customer-focused products that support long-term market growth across the Americas.
The Product Manager is responsible for end-to-end product management — including strategy, application requirements, development, launch, marketing support, and lifecycle management — and partners closely with sales, dealers, customers, engineering, product marketing, and product support teams.
Key Responsibilities
Product Strategy & Planning
- Develop and execute product and program strategy for asphalt paving machines and rollers, aligned with overall business objectives.
- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify customer needs, market opportunities, and technology trends.
- Define product vision, roadmap, value proposition, and technical specifications.
Product Development
- Collaborate with engineering, design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure development aligns with market requirements, cost targets, and timelines.
- Manage the product development lifecycle from concept through launch, ensuring performance, reliability, and quality standards are met.
- Oversee prototype development, testing, validation, and field evaluation activities.
Product Launch & Marketing
- Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for new product introductions (NPI).
- Partner with marketing and sales teams to create product literature, training programs, competitive positioning, and sales tools.
- Support product demonstrations and provide technical expertise to sales teams, dealers, and customers.
Customer Engagement
- Actively engage customers to capture Voice of Customer (VoC) feedback and identify product improvement opportunities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, dealers, and industry partners.
- Address customer inquiries, escalations, and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
Product Lifecycle Management
- Monitor product performance, market trends, and competitive positioning to ensure profitability and relevance.
- Provide pricing analysis, profitability studies, and sales targets aligned with marketing strategies.
- Lead continuous product improvement (CPI) initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Manage product updates, transitions, and end-of-life planning.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with supply chain, finance, and operations teams to support product availability, cost management, and forecasting.
- Coordinate with regulatory and compliance teams to ensure products meet applicable standards and regulations.
- Collaborate with international teams to align global product strategies and development initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in product or program management within paving products, construction equipment, or heavy machinery.
- Strong technical background with knowledge of asphalt paving machines and related equipment.
- Proven track record of managing products from concept through launch.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work across cross-functional teams and with customers.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA or advanced technical degree.
- OEM experience within asphalt paving or road construction equipment.
- Experience supporting dealer networks and global product platforms.
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic product planning and execution.
- Strong project and program management skills.
- Customer-focused mindset with the ability to translate needs into product features.
- Innovative thinking and continuous improvement orientation.
- Leadership skills with the ability to influence without direct authority.
- Financial and commercial acumen related to pricing, margins, and lifecycle profitability.
Work Environment & Travel
- Hybrid role combining office-based work with time in operational or customer-facing environments.
- Travel requirement: moderate (25–50%), domestic and international.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus, commensurate with experience.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid Time Off (PTO).
- 401(k) savings plan.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
- Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD).
- Life insurance.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
