Product Director

Summary: Seeking a customer obsessed leader who is responsible for managing global product planning, the development process of all new products, and product lifecycle management for the Malibu Boats Division. Coordinates with the team, the development of market share targets and sales objectives; product design, development, and cost; product quality; market research; pricing and profit plans to ensure the commercial success of all new products, all guided by the “Voice of the Customer.” A key member of the division’s management team that works together to build a successful business for Malibu Boats.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

External Scanning

• Analyzes global market data, competitive activity, demographic & lifestyle trends to identify market opportunities that align with the strategic objectives of the business.
• Studies consumer behavior that impacts buying decisions for boats and related products, as well as other consumer durables. Also tracks and monitors customer satisfaction, warranty data & trends.
• Identifies & conducts or coordinates various forms of market research, including consumer focus groups.
• Tracks technology development trends, industrial design trends and competitive product development trends to help identify and anticipate future opportunities and competitive threats.

Product Owner/Leader

• Owns, develops, & manages the division’s product plan.
• Owns product P&L accountability, including pricing strategy, margin improvement, and cost optimization. Develops and recommends share targets, sales volume forecasts.
• Owns the specific segment we play in, owns how to beat the competition in each segment, builds specific product/segment market share plans.
• Owns the team’s discipline and adherence to the Product Development Process (PDP).
• Owns the coordination of the new product development with the team, including consumer insights, industrial design, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, operations, and financial planning for new model launches.

• Owns the communication of the product plan, keeps the designers, marketing, engineers, operations, division management team and senior management abreast of these trends and their implications.
• Owns the measurement and improvement of product vitality, ensuring a healthy pipeline of new and refreshed offerings that meet evolving customer needs.

Team Player

• Active player on the Corporate Innovation team.
• Active player on the PDP evolution team.
• Active player on the Marketing, GTM team to support product success.

Accountability

• Experience collaborating with dealer/distributor networks, particularly dealer councils.
• Supports Brand DNA through development of new products, including design, features, and layout.
• Makes volume and models-mix forecasts and coordinates with purchasing and manufacturing for adequate planning cycles.
• Recommend changes, improvements, or deletions in current products.
• Coordinates plans for new accessories that support the target customer and enhance the product ownership and lifestyle experience with the P&A division.
• Interfaces with the Service & Warranty team as needed to ensure adequate in-field product support for dealers and customers.
• Identify new opportunities for further expansion of the division’s business in new segments via organic development as well as strategic alliances or acquisitions.
• Represents division and company as spokesperson on occasion.
• Collaborates with other division Product Managers & Engineering Leaders on company-wide improvement initiatives.
• Represents division and company at various industry events including trade association meetings.
• Must be licensed and able to use the product competently. Extensive knowledge of boats or other marine products a plus.
• Responsible for other duties and projects as assigned.

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Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required. MBA a plus.
• Ten (10) plus years of consumer product development, with sales and marketing background experience.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Excellent presentations skills. Ability to present to and persuade a wide range of audiences from Senior Management to members of the press to dealers (sell the viability of product programs). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Qualifications: Knowledge of quantitative & qualitative market research tools and techniques. Strong customer focus. Must be able to use products competently. Extensive knowledge of vehicles, boats, power sports and/or automotive products a plus. Team Player that is able to work well across and up and down the organization. Strong analytical skills.

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