Product Manager

Product Manager    Headquartered in San Diego, California, U.S.A., Solar Turbines Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is a leading manufacturer of industrial gas turbines with more than 11,800 units with over one billion operating hours in some 93 countries. Solar Turbines’ products include gas turbine engines (rated from 1590 to 30,000 horsepower), gas compressors, and gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical-drive packages and generator sets (ranging from 1 to 23 megawatts). As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Solar has a global network of offices and facilities to support customers with a variety of service products and programs as well as an experienced technical support team. We currently have an opening for a Product / Program Manager in San Diego, CA.  The Customer Services Product / Program Manager position is a broad and diverse role that is responsible for leading important projects in Customer Services as a full time Black Belt. The successful candidate will work independently and with Customer Service Marketing and Business Development staff, Customer Services Management, Alliance Managers and new equipment sales in strategizing, identifying, developing, and communicating new services and service products. The position demands forward thinking and visioning to maintain a competitive advantage in matching or tailoring service offerings to customers' needs. The incumbent will provide leadership in developing strategic actions to position Solar to develop and penetrate new service markets. Candidate should have a good understanding of related business practices, marketplace, customers, customer product applications and competitive products and features. A significant challenge for this position involves analyzing the current/future status of competitor’s offerings and developing strategies to meet the market needs while leveraging the OEM expertise.  Gathering and trending customer and competitive information will be a key component of the responsibilities, so the successful applicant will need to develop strong communication channels with field personnel and all sales organizations. Internal and external customer interfaces include operators of Solar turbomachinery, Customer Services Sales Representatives, MMS Managers, District Service Managers, Regional Service Managers, new equipment Sales, Project Applications Engineers and Project Managers.  The successful candidate must be capable of interfacing periodically with Customer Services Executive staff, field management, and other senior-level management throughout the company.  The incumbent may be required to lead contractual negotiations with outside suppliers. PRINICIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES ·      Develop product strategies for new services incorporating technology advancements. Identify key market drivers and customer buying criteria for the Customer Services markets.·      Support New Product Introduction or programs from conceptual product idea through full commercialization.·      Participate in annual R&E process with all relevant product ideas. Create and manage R&E budgets that coordinate or drive plans and schedules of others.·      Create business case for proposed programs and product ideas, including preparing NPV/IRR calculations and business risk management assessments.·      Develop pricing strategies and provide to Marketing for new offerings. ·      Represent the organization as prime contact (expert) on assigned programs/projects. ·      Interface with internal management of the Company as well as customers. Provide customer product presentations and travel to customer sites for product discussions.·      Provide input into the long term forecast for Customer Services.·      Participate in various roles in 6 Sigma projects, including a leadership role as a Black Belt.·      Interface with outside suppliers regarding product support. Develop customer support strategies to manage supplier and product obsolescence.  QUALIFICATIONS ·         Requires a Bachelor degree in engineering, or related disciplines and 7-10 years of related experience such as marketing, sales, customer service, or technical services. MBA preferred.·         Must demonstrate effective leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. ·         Excellent management and communications skills are required, along with a solid understanding of business fundamentals as demonstrated through experience or education such as an MBA.·         Experience in marketing, with similar responsibilities listed above, is preferred.·         Work experience working for an oil and gas or power generation company (especially with Solar customers) is preferred.·         Contract negotiation experience is preferred. Solar Turbines offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vacation, 401k, pension, incentive bonus, tuition reimbursement and more.  Solar Turbines is an equal opportunity employer.Solar Turbines conducts drug screens and background checks. Please visit our website www.solarturbines.com for more information about our company and to apply online. To apply for this position, click here.   http://tbe.taleo.net/NA11/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SOLARTURBINES&cws=1&rid=65   Send this Job to a Friend