Product Manager, Size Reduction

Description

Conair is the global leader in auxiliary equipment for plastics processing, offering over 450 different products. Our extensive product range includes resin-drying systems, blenders, feeders, material-conveying systems, temperature-control equipment, and granulators. We excel in plastics process integration, engineering, and installing comprehensive manufacturing systems that help plastics processors optimize raw material management and improve process yield.

Purpose:

As the Product Manager for the Size Reduction product line, you will own Conair's size reduction portfolio, taking a system view that spans granulators, shredders, and the associated equipment for feeding material to the machines and evacuating regrind, and grow its market share and profitability by strengthening its competitive advantage. This role combines market research, product line strategy, pricing and margin management, and field sales support. Prior experience with size reduction or granulation is not required; we are looking for an experienced product manager who will learn this market quickly and become the definitive expert in it. This position is located in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.

You will collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Production, and Purchasing, playing a pivotal role in the New Product Development (NPD) process, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) activities, marketing strategies, sales support, price and margin analysis, and partner relationships. Your interactions with customers, sales representatives, partners, and industry events will provide insights into the competitive landscape, which you will use to guide key decisions on the Size Reduction product line. This position reports to the Director of Product Management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Own the Size Reduction product line, including granulators, shredders, and associated feeding and evacuation equipment, with responsibility for product line strategy, roadmap, portfolio, pricing, and margins.
• Build expert knowledge of size reduction applications quickly, and guide Sales, Service, and customers on selecting and configuring complete size reduction systems, from feeding through granulating or shredding to evacuation.
• Represent the product line in the New Product Development (NPD) stage-gate process: build business cases, define market and product requirements, and drive launch readiness.
• Manage relationships with strategic suppliers and partners for the product line, including OEM partners and Piovan Group companies, to optimize cost, availability, and market fit.
• Engage with regional sales managers, representatives, and key customer accounts to understand market trends, and use customer visits to gather feedback on the product line.
• Develop and deliver training for Conair staff and sales representatives on product applications and after-sales support for size reduction products.
• Collaborate with Conair Marketing to keep product literature current, and participate in marketing promotions and trade shows, including product launches.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify market share opportunities, target customers, and new accounts, working with Sales and Marketing to pursue them.
• Participate in profitability meetings and lead pricing and margin analysis to move the product line toward margin targets.
• Support Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) efforts for size reduction products.
• Use financial and other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the business performance of the product line and make data-driven decisions.
• Work closely with Engineering to align product plans, sustainment priorities, and new product development for size reduction products.
• Conduct bi-annual self-reviews on performance; establish quarterly and half-year goals for the product line.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field; MBA a plus.
• 5+ years of product management experience with industrial or capital equipment, required.
• Demonstrated ownership of a product line, including roadmap, pricing, margin management, and new product launches.
• Experience with stage-gate or similar new product development processes and business case development.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, including pricing and margin analysis; advanced Excel skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written; able to engage with customers, sales representatives, partners, and Conair staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Teams, and Excel; CRM and ERP experience a plus.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and multitasking abilities, and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Experience in the plastics processing industry is a plus; experience with granulators, shredders, or size reduction systems is not required.

Piovan Group is a world leader in the development and production of systems for the automation of production processes for the storage, transport and treatment of polymers, plastic, and food powders. The Group is close to its customers, on a global basis, through continuous technical assistance and support from the design phase to the installation and start-up of the system. 

Customers, People, Innovation. These are the pillars of our philosophy that have led us to grow in a path that began more than fifty years ago, pursuing our development objectives with honesty, integrity, and transparency. 

Piovan Group offers an outstanding compensation and benefits package including profit sharing, bonus plans, 401(k) with company match, medical insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, health club reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance, and employee referral bonus program. 

Piovan Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and offers employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement), veteran status, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, HIV-positive status, possession of the sickle cell trait, genetic characteristics, political views, and any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.