Product Manager

JOIN THE WAGNER FAMILY
Thank you for your interest in Wagner. We always have our eyes open for talented people who want to learn, grow and expand their capabilities with Wagner. From start to finish, you'll enjoy a fun and colorful career at Wagner. Wagner is small enough that you matter and large enough for you to make a difference. Wagner believes that people represent a company's most important asset. At Wagner, we strive to create an organization where everyone participates and efforts are focused toward continuous improvement. These improvements are driven by dedication, teamwork, and the innovation of the Wagner family.
 
Our company participates in the US government's E-Verify process. In addition, all offers of employment are contingent on a drug test and background check.
 
YOUR BENEFITS
Our benefit package includes starting at 4 weeks PTO per year, 401(k) and a company match, medical, dental, life, disability, long term care insurance, as well as tuition reimbursement.
 
Title: Product Manager
Reports to: Director of Sales & Marketing
 
Introduction
WAGNER is a well-established company with 75 years of operating experience. With over 2000 employees worldwide, the WAGNER Group is a world leading manufacturer and supplier of high technology surface finishing products and systems. Users of our efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solutions include final consumers, contractors, and industrial manufacturing companies. The company operates as two divisions, Decorative Finishing (DF) and Industrial Solutions (IS).
 
Position Objective

The Product Manager will be responsible for developing short-term and long-term product plans and roadmaps for all relevant product categories. The primary focus will be identifying new product opportunities, developing product requirements, conducting field validation research, gathering end-user feedback, and supporting product launch activities. The Product Manager works closely with other key disciplines, including territory account management, business development, and channel marketing to deliver targeted objectives.

Responsibilities

• The Product Manager will manage the development and implementation of the entire product launch plan, including project management “from concept to consumer,” leveraging other functions to deliver critical elements of the plan.
• Work with the sales teams to conduct field customer demonstrations to ensure the visibility of new and existing products. Conduct technical product training and provide sales tools to help Wagner sales managers and distributors to become more effective in selling products.
• The Product Manager will be responsible for ensuring effective Product Life Cycle Management as it relates to inventory planning and phase-in / phase-out transitions for new products.  In addition, the Product Manager will monitor product return rates for their categories, gather feedback, monitor technical support calls, and incorporate these learnings into changes for current platforms, as well as leveraging them for future platforms and product evolutions.
• Work closely with our Corporate, Markdorf, Germany Product Management counterparts to ensure incorporation of international product and market requirements into the global product portfolio. Where possible and financially feasible, attempt to globally drive concurrent products for their respective markets. 
• As appropriate, use customers as a sounding board for new concepts and product ideas.  Leverage these relationships during and after a product launch to secure feedback on product and process effectiveness and focus on areas for improvement.
• Responsible for part number creation, extension, and costing for all product categories. Will require use of SAP and collaboration with Wagner Corporate and IS NA Operations.
• Analyze and adjust stock levels based on input from Marketing and Sales teams.
• Create product packages with complete BOM’s. Packages are to be set up in SAP for easy ordering. 
• Work with Technical and Sales Teams to verify package details and ensure accuracy and completeness. Collectively decide the selected packages work for the application. Become an active participant in the equipment validation process.
• Set up and manage the PIM data entry process for Wagner Webshop platform.
• Other duties as assigned.

Relationship To Others

The Product Manager will be required to work with all other Wagner departments, as well as interacting with customers and end-users.
 

Dimensions of Position

Product Management team member working with Operations, Marketing and Sales Management. Interactions with all accounts and customers, sales representatives, and senior management. Work in direct communications with distributors, customers, sales organization, and vendors. Occasional travel to our Louisville, CO and Plymouth, MN facilities will be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

B.S. Degree in Business, Marketing/Product/Operations, and/or related field, and/or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of product management/sales experience in related field and industry
• Experience highly preferred in the demonstration and marketing of industrial spray equipment. 
• In depth knowledge of the paint or paint application market is highly desirable.
• In depth knowledge of very similar product lines is highly desirable.
• Sales and Marketing knowledge of principles for showing, promoting, and selling products is important and can include market strategy and tactics, product demonstration, and sales techniques.
• Demonstrable record of past success in entry-level marketing, sales, or product/engineering role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent presentational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to anticipate and solve problems. 
• Highly organized and process driven.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority.
• Must be computer literate for performing duties: Microsoft Office, SAP.
• Must have a high degree of proficiency with MS Excel functions.

Working Conditions

Work environment is a combination of office and warehouse exposures.

• Office exposure entails: phone, computer, and additional.
• Warehouse exposure entails: equipment learning, some lifting of equipment and tools are required.
• The Product Manager position requires 25% travel.

Wagner is an equal opportunity employer and believes in equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. Accordingly, all employment decisions are based on the principles of equal opportunity. These decisions include recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, discipline, compensation, benefits, training and other personnel actions involving persons in all job titles and shall occur without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and any other characteristic protected by state or local law. Our Company is committed to following any additional state requirements regarding this topic. No individual will be denied nor receive special employment opportunities based on membership status in any protected category.