Product Development Manager

*Reports To: *VP of Supply Operations *Job Summary: *Responsibilities will include and focus on finding and developing new product lines, as well as, improving/upgrading existing products.
The targeted product lines/consumable supplies will be focused in the commercial, residential glass, and specialty glass processes and will include chemicals, abrasives, glazing, insulated window glass, solar panel processing and security glazing/glass.
The manager will be responsible for working with our suppliers in developing value-added products to meet our customers’ needs and recommending those supplies to our diverse customer base.
This position will also assist in establishing short and long-term sales strategies that will increase sales and market share in collaboration with our product development team.
*Duties and Responsibilities Include:* · Take an active role in assessing product offerings and recommending changes as appropriate, including pricing levels, sales promotions, or specific buying plans aimed at specific customers to increase sales.
· Develop and maintain vendor relationships.
· Recommend alternate products based on cost, availability, or specifications.
· Communicate powerfully and persuasively using various styles and effectively address different needs and audiences.
· Provide superior technical support for diamond polishing products to each customer, including customer training on wheel setup, operation and maintenance to extend life and quality of wheels, while selling products.
· Respond to product-related technical questions from customers and assist in troubleshooting product issues.
· Follow up on launches to ensure that sales personnel have adequate tools to sell new products, including account manager training both in the field and at sales meetings.
· Provide feedback of product performance information and quality issues to vendors.
· Develop, manage, and attain the annual sales goals and gross margin plans for divisions.
· Prepare monthly sales reports and enter account updates in TDF (customer relationship module).
· Actively pursue new products to replace or add to existing products.
· Actively manage new product development activities.
· Resolve product quality and/or performance issues.
· Field test product offerings obtained from vendors and decide which perform well enough for addition to our line.
· Provide launch packages for each product introduced and follow up on launches to assure that sales personnel have adequate tools to sell new products.
· Prune ineffective products from the line.
· Participate in new product development activities with the Business Development group.
This job description is not intended as a complete list of all job duties.
The incumbent may be required to perform other duties and tasks.
*Education, Experience & Skills – To be successful in the role you will need:* · 4-year Chemical/Mechanical Engineering degree or 2-5 years Industrial Product/Procurement experience required · 30% overnight travel a possibility.
· Autonomy (performs without any or limited supervision) · Job functions to include evaluation, negotiation, and established productivity programs to meet objectives.
· Technical aptitude required.
· Self-starter with strong initiative, creativity and attention to detail · Ability to prioritize and multitask · Drive/aspirations · Excellent problem-solving ability · Continuously strives to become a product and application expert · Understanding of attributes of company product lines · Must be able to travel to customer locations, trade shows and other events as requested.
· Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
· Spanish and/or Italian a plus This job description is intended to provide general information about the position.
It is not an employment contract.
As with all positions, the responsibilities, duties, and requirements of this job may change.
The company, in its discretion, may alter this job description at any time with or without notice.
_*Salem Fabrication Technologies Group, Inc.
is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
*_ Job Type: Full-time Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Disability insurance * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Retirement plan * Tuition reimbursement * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Monday to Friday Travel requirement: * Travel Work Location: In person