PRODUCT MANAGER - STRUCTURAL PARTS bei Aurora Parts

Job Summary:

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in both product management and engineering within the automotive or heavy-duty equipment industries. As the Product Manager – Structural Parts, you will lead cross-functional teams to drive product development, enhancements, and lifecycle management for aftermarket solutions. This role involves close collaboration with engineering, sales, operations, and supply chain teams to deliver innovative products that meet customer needs and business objectives. This role also manages the engineering team for our heavy-duty aftermarket structural products.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Strategy and Roadmap:
• Define and communicate the vision and strategy for aftermarket heavy-duty products.
• Create and maintain product roadmaps in alignment with company goals and market needs.
• Ensure the product portfolio addresses current and future customer demands, as well as regulatory requirements.
2. Collaboration with Engineering:
• Lead and coordinate with the engineering team to define technical requirements, product features, and development timelines.
• Act as the bridge between the engineering and product teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment of goals.
• Manage product development processes, ensuring timely delivery of new products and product enhancements.
• Provide technical guidance and insight to the team during the development phase to ensure the final product meets the equipment specifications and customer requirements.
3. Product Lifecycle Management:
• Oversee the full lifecycle of products, from concept and design to launch and post-launch support.
• Conduct ongoing product evaluations and manage product updates or discontinuations as necessary.
• Ensure products are continuously optimized for quality, performance, and cost.
4. Market and Customer Insights:
• Analyze market trends, customer feedback, and competitive products to inform product decisions.
• Work with sales and customer support teams to gather insights on product performance and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular customer visits and industry research to ensure the product aligns with customer needs and industry standards.
5. Cross-Functional Team Leadership:
• Lead cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, sales, marketing, finance, pricing, and supply chain, to ensure alignment on project goals.
• Provide regular updates to senior management on product status, roadmaps, and performance metrics.
• Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the product and engineering teams.
6. Financial Management:
• Define product pricing strategies in collaboration with sales and finance teams.
• Monitor product performance, analyze sales data, and adjust strategies to meet financial targets.
• Oversee product profitability, cost control, and resource allocation for product development initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field — or equivalent experience, such as 7+ years in the heavy-duty aftermarket industry
• Experience:
• 5+ years of product management experience in the heavy-duty aftermarket or related industries (automotive, industrial, or transportation).
• Experience managing engineering teams and leading cross-functional product development.
• Proven track record of successfully launching and managing aftermarket products, from design to commercialization.
• Skills:
• Strong technical understanding of heavy-duty equipment, aftermarket parts, and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Familiarity with product management tools and software (e.g., Jira, Trello, Asana, etc.).
• Experience in P&L management and budget oversight for product lines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and aftermarket supply chains.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements related to heavy-duty products.
• Familiarity with industry-specific standards, such as SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) or ISO certifications.