Senior Product Category Manager

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Senior Product Category Manager will lead the end-to-end marketing development of critical product categories within our Truck Accessories business.  This role will focus on creating robust category strategies and roadmaps, launching new innovative products that address consumer needs and drive business growth. This position will utilize skillsets and expertise in understanding our consumers to transform insights into actionable strategies. 

CORE FUNCTIONS 

• Develop robust product roadmaps, crafting business cases, project scoping, and making trade-off decisions. 

• Lead the development of short/mid/long-term product strategies for complex and large categories.  Leverage sound, fact-based analysis and compelling storytelling that resonates with internal stakeholders.   

• Take ownership of on-going portfolio management as it relates to assigned products. 

• Transform consumer learnings and insights from various sources into new product concepts.  Deliver sound engineering requirements, ensuring solutions are aligned with consumer expectations.  Incorporate insights from various research sources into product development and strategy. 

• Drive innovation acceleration, through effective engagement with advanced development on key innovation spaces, ensuring timely delivery of breakthrough products. 

• Enable cross-functional collaboration.  Gather and align cross-functional teams to deliver product innovations that meet consumer needs.   

• Collaborate closely with the brand organization to ensure new product ideas and features fit seamlessly within brand consumer strategies. 

• Develop and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with all functional process partners (i.e. engineering, sales, brand and procurement) 

• Assist in creating research plans and discussion guides. Collaborate on necessary physical stimuli for research. 

• Leverage research output for informed decision-making and continuous process improvement. 

• Be present in all cross functional engagements, providing thought leadership and driving towards consumer centric solutions. 

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required.  MBA preferred. 

• 9+ years of experience in marketing, product management, industrial design, engineering, brand, or category management required, including 2+ years of experience communicating, collaborating, and presenting to executive leadership. 

• Proven product development and global business experience required. 

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge 

• Strong organizational skills. 

• Expertise in applying consumer insights to product roadmap and strategy. 

• Success in fast-paced environments. 

• Team player with a strategic and tactical mindset. 

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

• Self-starter with minimal oversight. 

• Comfort with ambiguity and adaptability in project outcomes. 

Travel 

• Occasional travel will be required; 15-20%. 

COMPETENCIES 

• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures. 

• Design – Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail. 

• Initiative – Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed. 

• Innovative – Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas. 

• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. 

• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed. 

• Verbal Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead: working team member who coordinates, supports, trains, and is a knowledge resource for other team members. No direct reports or supervisory responsibility. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• This position is subject to Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involved sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally. 

Physical Activities 

• This position is subject to the following physical activities: standing, walking, talking, and hearing. 

Visual Acuity  

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly of fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes. 

Working Conditions 

• This position primarily operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment. 

RealTruck is the premier manufacturer and digital destination of accessories for truck, Jeep®, Bronco® and off-road enthusiasts around the world. Globally headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, RealTruck’s 6,000+ associates operate from 35+ facilities across four continents. RealTruck’s industry leading product portfolio, which includes the Husky Liners total vehicle protection brand, boasts over 1,000 patents and pending applications. The company’s omni-channel retail approach delivers a seamless consumer experience online at RealTruck.com, as well as through its 12,000+ dealer network and automotive (OEM) partnerships. 

Perks That Go the Extra Mile :
At RealTruck, we take care of our people—because they drive our success. Enjoy great benefits like medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid life insurance and disability, and a 401(k) with company match (eligible the first of the month after you start). Need balance? We’ve got wellbeing days and parental leave. Want to grow? Take advantage of educational reimbursement. Plus, earn referral bonuses and score exclusive employee discounts on RealTruck products. Great benefits. Great people. Even better careers.

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