Automotive Product Manager

Race Winning Brands (RWB) is the leading manufacturer of racing and high-performance parts sold to automotive and powersports markets. RWB is the preferred source for high-end pistons, engine blocks, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, connecting rods, crankshafts, clutches, transmissions, springs and other engine and driveline- related performance components. RWB markets its products through multiple prominent brands including JE Pistons, Wiseco Performance Products, Diamond Pistons, Trend Performance, Rekluse Motor Sports, MGP Connecting Rods, ProX Racing Parts, Dart Machinery, PAC Racing, Revmax, Haltech, TSI, and TMG performance. RWB sells to a diverse and unmatched customer base of professional and sportsman racers, engine builders, enthusiasts, OEMs, automotive and powersports dealers and wholesale distributors. RWB is headquartered in Mentor, Ohio with sales offices and manufacturing operations in strategic locations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Product Development Strategy

Create product strategy documents that describe business cases, high-level use cases, technical requirements, revenue, and ROI.

Conduct market research to create products that customers will want and assess current competitor offerings, seeking opportunities for differentiation.

Evaluate resource capacity and anticipate future needs to drive product innovation, and execute product improvement and productivity initiatives, in close collaboration with Engineering.

Foster a culture that ensures an entrepreneurial and disruptive approach to innovation.

Product Lifecycle Management

Drive the execution of all product lifecycle processes from conception through release and obsolescence including product research, market research, competitive analysis, planning, positioning, roadmap, development requirements, and product launch.

Review and adjust product trend/demand to generate appropriate inventory levels and product production schedules to maintain product availability.

Create annual and new product release forecasts.

Product Data

Create and maintain all product data including ERP Data points, Product Features/Attributes, Product Fitment, and general customer facing Data. All of which require an extensive knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

Product Releases

Coordinate new product releases with R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Operations (manufacturing and supply chain). Drive continuous improvement of the new product development process (agile/scrum methodology).

Work closely with the Supply Chain and Quality Teams to ensure new products are delivered on-time and to specification.

Ensure that all essential tasks and responsibilities for new formulations, product change requests, pilot production, and trial product production to support the pipeline, international businesses and strategic accounts are done in accordance with internal requirements and in close collaboration with cross-functional colleagues.

Work with the Sales Team and customers to ensure understanding of the products and their benefits. Training for internal team and external customers (B2B).

Work with the Sales Team and Customers to confirm all essential customer facing Data is available for customer to comprehensively onboard product.

Customer Feedback

Conduct customer surveys and other outreach to collect customer feedback and make recommendations to improve product performance and customer experiences.

Marketing

Define product marketing communication objectives.

Provide management with analysis and reports as needed.

Some travel required.

This position will be based in Southfield, Michigan but frequently travel to Mooresville, North Carolina to support our Victory location.

What You Will Get:

• Eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance as of Day One
• Employer Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• HSA with Employer Contributions
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Employee Wellness and Assistance Programs
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Company Holidays

PM21

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Lead the product development process for RWB Automotive brands as projects in the pipeline are executed.
• Work alongside the product development team as they support the 3-year innovation pipelines.
• Develop 3-5-year product development innovation strategy, in collaboration and consultation with the Director of Product Management and other product managers.
• Bachelor s Degree in Business, Marketing or Related Field. Or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years product management experience with focus internal combustion engine valvetrain.
• Computer skills: ability to fully utilize MS Office programs such as Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint. Previous software and web development experience.
• Communication skills: excellent communication skills (both verbal and written). Must be able to communicate with both management and non-management associates.
• Other skills: technical knowledge of motorcycle products and accessories.

EEO Statement:

Race Winning Brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.