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Product Manager
Translated by AI
About the job
Purpose of employment
The Product Manager is responsible for managing the entire lifecycle of our products, from concept and market introduction to optimization and phase-out. He acts as the link between Engineering, Operations, Sales & Marketing and Technical Support, ensuring our solutions meet the customer/market needs and the company’s strategic objectives. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of our products and core technologies, as well as our operational processes, which allows him to quickly assess the impact and feasibility of potential product developments.
Our products find their way to the final consumer via a typically complex marketplace, with multiple parallel market channels and distribution layers. Our distribution strategy is based on a managed multi-channel distribution model. Through our portfolio of proprietary components, we can offer a wide range of unique solutions, tailor-made and differentiated technologically and visually, to meet the specific requirements of the market channel as well as the demands of our distribution partners.
In our route-to-market we always collaborate with dedicated distribution partners. In one-step distribution we work directly with large Sales&Service Companies, that are organized to sell to the final consumer through a specific market channel, B2C or B2B2C; this route-to-market is served with a dedicated portfolio of premium products, sold under our own Manufacturer Brands, and with intensive manufacturer support. In two-step distribution we work with our network of B2B Distribution sister companies (step 1), to distribute our products to their local customer base (step 2); this route-to-market is served with a dedicated portfolio of products with private labelling and customization options, focused on value-for-money.
Working relationship
- Member of the Management Team, reporting directly to the General Manager.
- Cooperate with our Sales & Marketing Manager and our customers to make sure customer needs are met with our branded product portfolio (one-step distribution).
- Cooperate with the management and sales teams of our B2B Distribution sister companies to offer a competitive private label product range (two-step distribution).
- Cooperate with Engineering and Operations on product development and improvements.
- Act as an internal point of contact on product portfolio matters.
- Liaise and collaborate with other Product Mgmt departments within the Group.
Description of the primary activities
Product strategy & Market Insights
- Define and manage the product strategy and roadmap in alignment with the above strategy.
- Conduct market, customer and competitor analysis to understand the competitive landscape and to identify trends, opportunities and threats (this is done in cooperation with Sales, Engineering and Technical Support):
- Perform market research to identify potential new products and their technical needs, performance and specifications.
- Investigate, analyze and test competitive products.
- Assess the use of new technologies.
- Translate customer and market requirements into product specifications and value propositions.
- Stay up to date with industry trends, technologies and regulatory changes that could impact the product portfolio.
Product Development
- Define business cases for new product developments and product improvements to support investment decisions.
- Prepare Product Pitches (Product-Price-Place-Promotion) and present them to our internal and external stakeholders.
- Cooperate with Engineering and Operations in the process of new product developments and product improvements; perform market surveys and Voice-of-Customer during this process.
Product Portfolio management
- Monitor and manage performance KPIs of the product portfolio throughout its lifecycle (sales volumes, product&customer mix, cost/sales price, margins, market share).
- Analyze customer feedback and market response to drive continuous improvements.
- Create and maintain Part Numbers and Bill-Of-Material of our final products in close cooperation with Engineering.
- Create and maintain product literature ‘in-the-box’ (installation & operating guide), product packaging and labelling, in cooperation with Marketing and Operations.
- Work with Sales and Operations on phase-in and phase-out planning.
- Monitor market requirements on relevant regulations and standards for water treatment equipment and provide feedback to Engineering for the Certification process.
Commercial Support
- Create and maintain technical spec sheets of our products; monitor the validation (in-house or via external partners) of our technical specs, in cooperation with Engineering and Technical Support.
- Create and maintain product documentation, sales tools and product training tools to support the commercial promotion of our products.
- Train and support sales teams and distributors on product portfolio, product technology, product features & benefits.
- Represent the company as a product expert during customer visits, on trade shows,…
- Lead product introductions, in close cooperation with Sales & Marketing.
Profile
Specific professional experience
- Master or Bachelor degree in Engineering (mechanical, chemical) or Product Development, or equivalent through experience.
- Technical affinity combined with commercial feeling.
- 5 yrs of relevant experience in a company that produces and/or distributes consumer goods.
- Knowledge of water treatment technologies is an important asset/plus.
- Experience with project mgmt.
Expected soft skills and other competences
- Respect our Core Values (Delta VIBES):
- Resilience & Perseverance
- Initiative & Innovation
- Committed & Reliable
- Efficient & Effective
- Stronger Together
- Dynamic, good communication skills
- Curious, innovation mindset
- Analytical, problem-solver
- Structured, autonomous, hands-on
- Willing to travel occasionally
- Language skills: Dutch, English, French
Our Offer
- A great opportunity with room for autonomy, personal development and the chance to expand your knowledge.
- A unique challenge in a dynamic entrepreneurial environment, as part of a large, strong group.
- Experience a family atmosphere that promotes a culture of entrepreneurship, a results-oriented mentality and a hands-on approach.
- Receive a competitive salary package with associated fringe benefits.
About the company
Delta Water Engineering in Antwerp, Belgium, manufactures the Delta water softener. These eco-friendly softeners use no electricity, are compact, and save up to 50% on salt and 60% on water. They come in single or double tank options and are distributed worldwide through a network of exclusive dealers in 40 countries.
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