Product Manager-Construction/Skid Steer Tire Segment

Position is based in Charlotte, NC

Key Mission: To support Yokohama Off Highway Tire Americas (YOHTA) brands and champion need specific product developments (by segment) and services to drive and maintain sales and increase profitability in the agricultural tire line. This role will be multi-faceted with the primary mission being to verify that all parts of the product strategy are being implemented and cost effective.

In short this role will be responsible for all portions of three principle factors; Define (products, market, distribution channels), Develop (products and services), and Distribute (information and assistance to market).

This role will report directly to the YOHTA VP of Marketing and work in a matrix form of organization with the central product management and marketing team in YOHT. It will have a strong communication with the VP’s of sales, the central Product Management team, and other teams inside of YOHT/YOHTA.

This role will be primarily aimed at the aftermarket but will have strong coordination with the OE department.

The core mission of this role will be as stated below:

(note – there will be other duties performed on an ad-hoc and daily basis as dictated by the needs of business – this list should not be considered as fully exhaustive)

1. Product Management (50% of Time)

1. Create and establish a market segmentation and place each sku offered by YOHTA in the Construction/Skid Steer tire segments.
   1. Determine (with VP of sales and marketing) the tires that should be offered by YOHTA
   2. Develop the strategy for products needed for the future
2. Create, develop, and maintain (with Marketing Comm Mgr) a field communication on the benefits and features of each current tire offered by YOHTA.
   1. Coordinate all product benefits and features with central marketing team
   2. Coordinate with sales team and other members of the marketing team the proper tradeshows and venues for increased market awareness and communication
3. Responsible for the new product launch process (NPR’s)
   1. Work with central product team to develop and put forward NPR’s
      1. Vision towards market needs and how the product will meet those needs
   2. Creation of launch materials and timelines (with Marketing Communications and Central team)
   3. Coordination with sales force of launch of new products
   4. Working with Pricing Mgr develop pricing strategy (vertical and horizontal pricing across segment)
   5. Verify that all aspects of tire information are ready for product launch
   6. Follow up on financial and quantity vs forecast following launch
4. Demand Review – working with SC coordinator and field staff members – work to develop the market needs for sales
   1. May include the development and tracking of specific targeted sales programs or specials (working with Sales team members to assess needs)
5. Identify the market needs – both in quantitative and qualitative means by product segmentation
   1. Quantify and qualify new tire product initiatives through market research
   2. For new products create the new product request form
   3. Develop financial plans for new product (with aide of Pricing Mgr)
   4. Develop (with central product management team) the performance surveys criteria (and potentially Field Engineering team members on implementation of field surveys)
   5. Follow up tire during life cycle of product
6. In cooperation with the central product management and Field Engineering teams - review the product surveys and verify that design and market targets are being achieved / put in place measures to modify as needed

1. Competitive Marketshare /Pricing Data Base and Analysis (25% of Time)

1. Develop and maintain control of a quantitative figure for the market share of YOHTA products by segment (may require coordination with outside agencies such as AEM) – work in this area with central team members
2. Develop and maintain a centralized competitor database for each designated market segment which will include:
   1. Listing of key competitors (by sku and segment as needed)
   2. Working with field staff collect and review with pricing mgr the relative pricing of competitor tires – assist in determining need of price changes based on market conditions
   3. Understand the relative market value drivers for each segment and review YOHTA position vs core competitors.
   4. Report on a defined basis competitive view of market and lead a product review session with VP’s of Sales and Marketing. .

1. Market and Customer support (25% of Time)

1. Create and maintain up to date training programs (either physical training seminars, on line training, or other)
   1. For internal purposes (ie – sales rep training)
   2. For external purposes (dealer/end user training)
2. Work with sales team (on a defined or as needed basis) to assist in sales presentations and training in the field.
3. Review and determine (with VP of sales) correct go to market strategies for increased market share, growth, and profitability for each segment

Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other Technical field required
• 3-5+ years of related experience
• 40% national and international travel expected
• Tire experience preferred, off-road/earth moving machinery acceptable
• Good verbal and written communication
• Customer oriented and experience presenting to small/large groups and all-levels
• Proficiency in MS Suite
• Financially literate
• Must be able to work in US without sponsorship