Parts Product Manager

Job Description:

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Hobart Service and Parts, both part of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), have been supporting the food equipment industry for over 125 years. Together, we provide industry-leading service solutions and parts distribution for commercial food equipment across the country.

With more than 1,800 associates nationwide, we serve as trusted partners to our customers—helping keep their operations running efficiently. Our employees are committed to delivering exceptional customer service, giving back to the communities where they live and work, and living out ITW’s core values of Integrity, Simplicity, Trust, Respect, and Shared Risk.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Product Line Manager, the Product Manager is responsible for the product and marketing strategy for their primary parts product line, while supporting other product lines. This includes management of pricing, kitting, product differentiation analysis, and part lifecycle management, from new equipment launch to its end of life. Responsibilities also include defining target markets and establishing market size and trends. The Product Manager requires a high level of collaboration with internal and external stakeholders including Strategic Sourcing, Inventory Planning, Quality and Customer Care. The Product Manager provides technical leadership for all parts related issues and owns the relationship between the Hobart Parts team and the associated FEG Service & Product engineering teams. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

These are the most significant job duties performed. The size, scope, and complexity of assigned duties and responsibilities are dependent on the level and experience of the incumbent. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each assigned essential duty satisfactorily. Other responsibilities or special projects not specifically listed below may also be assigned.

• Develop, communicate, and implement product policies and pricing strategies to drive sales growth while achieving or exceeding parts profitability targets.  Manage, communicate, and implement price adjustments based on market data and corporate goals as required.
• Define the parts product line portfolio strategy to include recommendations on parts sales categories (individual piece parts, sub-assemblies, and parts kits) as well as management of the parts item master to ensure integrity of all parts data in the system. Create impactful messaging enabling sales and marketing efforts to demonstrate the increased value of using ITW/FEG parts to end customers.  
• Facilitate development and implementation of high impact and differentiated product positioning through competitive analysis studies, feature/benefit analysis and documentation, and identification of growth opportunities.  Monitor marketplace trends regarding customer’s needs (VOC) and competitive pressures for both competitive parts suppliers (generics) and competitive equipment. 
• Proactively manage the product lifecycle from equipment concept development, through product launch, up to the end of life of parts and service support.  Collaborate with the Inventory Planning team by compiling parts stocking recommendation based off Engineering data and comparable parts sales to ensure parts availability at launch, and the remaining lifecycle of the associated equipment
• Provide leadership in efforts to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with all ITW Food Equipment groups including but not limited to engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, product management, field support, training, logistics, and field service offices.
   

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not have any direct supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Work Experience

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years relevant product management, technical marketing, or engineering experience is required.

Desired Education/Experience

Experience in parts and service support is highly desired.

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, marketing, or business is desired.

Master of Business Administration is desired.

Experience with ITW/FEG parts and service solutions and/or equipment products is desired.

Certificates and Licenses

N/A

Job —Specific Knowledge

To perform this job successfully, the individual needs to demonstrate knowledge of these areas as they relate to the primary functions of the job.

• Strong knowledge of the product line management function and best practices
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent decision-making skills
• Strong engineering acumen
• Project Management skills
• Computer skills, particularly in relation to parts management through an ERP system / workflow
• Management and leadership skills to motivate and develop employees
• Financial skills, particularly focusing on investment justification, revenue, and margin analysis
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent MS Office (Excel, MSQuery, Access, PowerPoint) capabilities required

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies.

Leadership Skills

• Effective organizational, leadership and presentation skills
• Proven leadership and collaboration skills with the ability to effectively coach and influence others
• Performs with high level of initiative exhibiting persistence and willingness to stimulate new ideas
• Takes calculated risks, makes strategic, results-oriented decisions, and accepts responsibility for the results
• Establishes and maintains effective, collaborative work relationships both internally and externally

Time Management and Communication Skills

• Must be dependable, have good attendance, be punctual, and have a positive attitude.
• Prioritizes regular workload, special tasks, and concurrent projects, allocating time and resources to ensure that work is completed accurately and efficiently within established time frame.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate orally with individuals from within and outside of the organization.
• Collaborative approach – Can identify opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between the team, departments, units, or groups to help achieve business goals.

Professional Skills and Attributes

• Negotiation Skills – Effectively explores alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.
• Continuous Improvement – Is actively involved with targeted efforts to eliminate waste, reduce response time, simplify the design of work/services associated with products and processes, improve quality and customer service, and reduce complexity.
• Proactively seeks feedback and identifies approaches to improve personal performance
• Project Management – Establishes a set of tasks and activities associated with an intended outcome and timeline.  Ability to ensure actions are performed and/or implemented to achieve the results of the project.
• Relationship Building – Develops positive relationships by demonstrating respect for others’ perspectives and attention to their needs; shows understanding, approachability, and tact to others.
• Excellent analytical and financial skills – Ability to draw conclusions and makes recommendations based on qualitative or quantitative data.
• Self-starter capable of working independently.
• Ability to thrive and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is:

• Regularly required to work within an office environment.
• Often required to work in the warehouse operations environment.
• Some travel to participate in meetings with suppliers, equipment plants, and ITW meetings and events.

Working Conditions

• Office environment
• Parts warehouse

Hours of Work

• Normal business hours with extended hours as needed.
• Flexibility with schedule to meet critical deadlines.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%

WHY WORK FOR US?

• Competitive pay
• Great insurance options with low premiums
• Paid vacation and holidays
• 401K with company match
• Extensive on-the-job, online, and classroom training
• Safety-conscious work environment

Hobart Service is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ITW and Hobart Service are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all employees. To demonstrate this commitment, Hobart Service is tobacco-free (including e-cigarettes) on campuses and within company vehicles and maintains a drug-free workplace.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the online application system process due to your disability, please contact Human Resources at service.hr@hobartservice.com to request assistance. No other requests will be acknowledged.

Compensation Information:

N/A

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.