Description:
The Product Line Specialist will help manage the product and portfolio management, product roadmap, and the development of differentiated value propositions, integrating marketing plans, forecast, and inputs with technical support and product/process technology. The incumbent supports the management of the product line strategic roadmap, including structured product development, product improvement, product rationalization, and communication through an integrated market communication plan.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
The incumbent supports our strategy for building the Gerdau of the future via product lifecycle management relative to the defined differentiated value propositions, more value added and higher margins. The Product Line Specialist will drive the organization toward the most strategic markets, applications, and new potential value-added business to maximize profitability, differentiate us from competition with an increased product portfolio, and enhance the long-term sustainability of the business. The incumbent must participate in development of product forecasting and support the product line portfolio management including structured product development, product improvement and product rationalization. In short, the role is responsible to manage the product line strategic roadmap.
In performing these tasks, the individual will need to participate in product certifications, development of standards and workflow definitions, supply chain development, interface with both manufacturing and technical support, coordination of multidisciplinary teams, collaborate with strategic pricing, conduct market research, and drive the development of integrated market communications plan.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Qualifications for this position are 5 to 10 years of product development and product management experience in steel or steel-related industries (construction, manufacturing, metals distribution, machining, forging, automotive, etc.).
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Engineering, Metallurgy, Marketing, Business, or relevant technical discipline.
- Previous experiences with Sales, Operations, Technical Support, Marketing, or M&A preferred.
- Incumbent must demonstrate skills and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative problem-solving techniques as well as the ability to create and present business cases.
- Collaborative communication skills and ability to communicate with all business areas at various levels.
- Innovative thinking, open and proactive, showing ability to present new ideas and articulate on its potential.
- Ability to drive strategic initiatives without regular follow-ups.
- MBA preferred but not required.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Participate in New Product Development Stage Gate decision process.
- Establish effective price-for-value strategies and promotions to grow the business in the product areas.
- Understand competition positioning in the market, translating into a roadmap analysis for Gerdau.
- Maintain product innovation funnel roadmap.
- Support the development and deployment of product integrated marketing plans, the development of potential supply chain partners, and outside processors that could partner with Gerdau in creating successful business cases.
- Monitor competitiveness of the product line in the segments in which we participate.
- In depth knowledge of product attributes and applications.
- Mappings of finishing requirements, understanding process steps and how they impact application requirements.
- Definition of workflow, understanding interactions with potential partners, mapping responsibilities and system’s needs.
- Deep understanding of our competitiveness relative to next best alternatives.
- Contribute to the development and execution of product line roadmap and strategy including product portfolio and Strategic Pricing.
- Develop product demand forecasts, evaluate new product potential, and participate in new product development through the stage gate methodology.
- Direct business development opportunities in value added process and acquisition of tangent businesses.
- Internalize our differentiated value propositions translating into strategies and tactics for the various parts of the organization (production, SOP, sales, logistics, etc.)
- Conduct market research towards key applications, articulating on its potential through understanding of volumes, prices, and costs.
- Gather and analyze competitive product intelligence, product research, and participate in the development of Standards and Certifications
- Provide input regarding Marketing Communications to design digital media (website, microsite) and catalogs, brochures, etc.
- Coordination of multidisciplinary teams with internal and external stakeholders.