The posting
SUMMARY
Responsible for leading Product Management strategy, processes, reporting, and organizational development for all product categories under Hoshizaki America, including but not limited to ice machines, dispensers, refrigeration, heated cabinets, and connected solutions. Partnering with cross-functional teams and leveraging voice of customer insights, market research, and competitive analysis, this role oversees the lifecycle of all products, whether developed internally or through OEM partnerships, from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment with portfolio objectives and corporate growth strategies.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
- Ensure all new product introduction (NPI) projects are executed according to approved timelines and strategic objectives by driving accountability across Product Management, Project Management, Engineering, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and Training teams.
- Achieve portfolio performance targets through effective management of the product lifecycle, including revenue growth, profitability, market share, vitality, HIT rate, and return on development investment.
- Maintain a strategic innovation pipeline that supports the company’s long-term growth objectives with no fewer than 10 qualified product, platform, technology, or service opportunities under evaluation and development.
- Deliver annual portfolio roadmaps for ice, refrigeration, and IoT platforms that align with corporate strategy, customer needs, and market opportunities.
- Ensure successful launch readiness for all new product introductions through coordinated execution of product commercialization, training, and customer support initiatives.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Responsible for the overall product portfolio strategy for Ice, Refrigeration, and IoT platforms, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic growth objectives.
- Provides leadership and direction for Product Management and Project Management while fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and customer focus.
- Directly manages the Director of Product Management, Ice; Director of Product Management, Refrigeration; Director of IoT Platforms and Connected Solutions; and Project Manager.
- Establishes and oversees product roadmaps, portfolio priorities, and investment strategies across all assigned product categories and technology platforms.
- Ensures effective execution of product strategies through leadership, coaching, and development of the Product Management team.
- Evaluates new product, platform, software, and service opportunities to determine their ability to address customer needs and achieve revenue, profitability, and market share objectives.
- Develops and manages portfolio investment recommendations, annual product plans, and strategic growth initiatives to support long-term business objectives.
- Oversees the development of business cases, market requirements, and portfolio prioritization processes to support strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
- Directs competitive intelligence efforts and market analyses to identify emerging trends, customer needs, technology advancements, and growth opportunities.
- Partners with Engineering, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Customer Support to ensure successful development, launch, and lifecycle management of products and platforms.
- Oversees project governance processes to ensure cross-functional alignment, milestone achievement, risk mitigation, and resource optimization across all development initiatives.
- Champions customer-centric innovation by utilizing market research, customer feedback, field insights, and industry analysis to drive new product and platform development.
- Maintains comprehensive knowledge of industry trends, competitive activity, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies impacting the foodservice, refrigeration, and connected equipment markets.
- Leads market analysis across traditional foodservice channels and adjacent markets to identify new opportunities for business growth and product expansion.
- Collaborates with Marketing and Training teams to ensure the development of effective product positioning, customer value propositions, sales tools, training materials, and commercialization strategies.
- Represents the Product Management organization in strategic planning activities and executive leadership discussions regarding business growth, product investments, and market expansion opportunities.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering, or a related field and a minimum of 10 years of progressive product management experience, including management of people and product portfolios. An MBA and/or previous experience in the foodservice equipment industry managing the product development lifecycle is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
- Demonstrated track record of leading product portfolios and product development initiatives from concept through commercialization
- Experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams across multiple disciplines.
- Capable of taking on and delivering project deliverables with limited guidance from senior management
- Ability to anticipate problems and issues, and effectively resolve them
- Understands the impact of new projects on other areas and can evaluate resource availability and constraints.
- Strategic planning and portfolio management experience.
- Financial acumen, including business case development and ROI analysis.
- Experience developing and leading high-performing teams.
- Executive-level analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
PHYSCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Non-Manufacturing:
- Typically work is in an office environment where the noise level is low to moderate
- Travel requirements between 10-25%
- Requires standing and/or sitting for prolonged periods of time
- Ability to lift boxes/materials weighing up to 10 lbs.
- Requires telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other employees and customers
- Ability to read, write, listen, and communicate effectively
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering, or a related field and a minimum of 10 years of progressive product management experience, including management of people and product portfolios. An MBA and/or previous experience in the foodservice equipment industry managing the product development lifecycle is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
- Demonstrated track record of leading product portfolios and product development initiatives from concept through commercialization
- Experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams across multiple disciplines.
- Capable of taking on and delivering project deliverables with limited guidance from senior management
- Ability to anticipate problems and issues, and effectively resolve them
- Understands the impact of new projects on other areas and can evaluate resource availability and constraints.
- Strategic planning and portfolio management experience.
- Financial acumen, including business case development and ROI analysis.
- Experience developing and leading high-performing teams.
- Executive-level analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
