Marketplace Product Line Managers (PLM) are the visionaries within their specific standard product categories and are responsible for turning ideas into exciting new products. By developing and executing a product strategy that is aligned with corporate goals and market demands, Marketplace Product Line Managers ensure the profitable growth of our standard product business. Responsibilities include market research, competitive analysis, and customer feedback analysis in support of the strategic and tactical management of specific product lines and categories, including identifying and developing innovative and exciting new products, relationships, and market strategies; executing an end-of-life strategy for underperforming products; and working with stakeholders to determine the needs and future of the market. A Marketplace PLM will work closely with other functional areas including sales, marketing, supply chain, and design engineering to develop business cases for new product initiatives. Some travel is required.

Define and communicate the product strategy and plan for their specific product areas
• Develop business cases, business plans, and product roadmaps for those product areas, including forecasts, global competitive landscape, and target customers, applications, and markets
• Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions regarding product positioning and differentiation
• Develop pricing strategies that support corporate goals and market expectations
• Define marketing strategies across different channels, geographies, and customer segments
• Evangelize for their products internally and externally by regularly hosting training on products and applications, and attending tradeshows, conferences, and seminars
• Cultivate relationships with key suppliers, partners, and customers
• Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, brand partners, sales, marketing and customers to ensure product success
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and technological advancements related to their specific product areas
• Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• High level of personal initiative
• Strong analytical skills to assess opportunities and risks
• Entrepreneurial spirit to translate market trends and customer needs into actionable product plans
• Technical curiosity
• Ability to grasp complex technical concepts and translate them into marketable product features
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate product strategies and requirements and to collaborate and influence diverse teams of stakeholders
• Understanding of financial metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to product profitability
• Can manage workload of multiple, concurrent projects and priorities at once
• Excellent problem solving and creative thinking capabilities
• Proficient with all MS Office software

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Business, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, or related field; four (4) years experience in an optics, lasers, or physics lab, or in product support of optical or photonics components, or in product development of technical components

Physical Requirements:

Ability to travel; work in office and occasional lab setting