Product Manager

The Product Manager is responsible for assisting and advising on the global product strategy for products within their assigned product categories. S/he will bring the Voice of the Customer (VOC) to the organization in discussions around new product introduction and research and development prioritization. This role is a full time on-site role in our Charlotte area headquarters.

Essential Job Functions

• Advises and assists with the global product positioning strategy, inclusive of tiered product lines, to include messaging, focus areas, competitive matrix development, advantages, and features and benefits of the assigned product categories.
• Advises and assists with the product pricing strategies for all assigned categories (MSRP, Contract pricing, etc.) to be reviewed and approved by Finance.
• Advises and assists with the product lifecycle (product rationalization) from launch to product end of life (EOL) in conjunction with other departments as needed.
• Advises and assists with the global voice of the customer in new product development, design specifications, and prioritization of projects within the categories. Participates in overall R&D prioritization discussions.
• Advises and assists with identifying core messaging and target audiences globally for each of the positioned products as well as developing and implementing strategy for promotional items and marketing messaging for products within managed categories. Works with other Marketing Communications to ensure marketing materials, inclusive of banners, brochures, catalogues, web, and social media, are aligned with the company’s Mission, Purpose, Vision, and global brand standards.
• Advises and assists with the creation, review, and reporting of global demand forecasting for products under his/her management.
• Identifies and evaluates Business Development targets within her/his categories.
• Designs and delivers effective sales and product competency training for products within categories in partnership with other departments as needed.
• Assists with field-based activities as required in support of direct and strategic partner selling activities including:
• Supporting regional distributor reps in building brand-specific demand for Safeguard products.
• Supporting Fed/Gov sales team as needed by attending events, visiting regional military installations, assisting with NET (New Equipment Training).
• Supporting direct sales efforts in Law Enforcement, Education and Public Access by assisting with NET and attending industry/regional trade shows as needed/directed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study
• 5+ years of product marketing experience
• Previous experience in trauma medicine or prehospital medical device industry strongly preferred and may be considered as a substitution for the product marketing experience
• Proficient in product portfolio management
• Passion for medicine, saving lives, and medical innovation
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Proficient public speaker, oral communicator, and comfortable speaking to large audiences
• Computer proficient to include web browser/internet search, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point capabilities. Technical competence includes the ability to learn new software and systems

Competencies

Possesses a high sense of urgency, initiative, and common sense as well as the ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. Demonstrates a strong interest in developing new skills; ability to lead and influence others effectively and impart knowledge efficiently through various methods of leadership and training. A self-starter with a demonstrable passion for learning and growth. Proven teamwork and people management skills; excellent interpersonal skills. Must be a very capable communicator and be comfortable working with a wide variety of corporate executives, sales, marketing, engineering, operations, customers, and business partners in a highly professional, confident, and poised manner. Ability to formulate forecasts, business plans, competitive analysis, and gross profit analysis. Demonstrated ability to work creatively and independently and prioritize effectively to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The ability to meet designated deadlines is a critical qualification.

Physical Requirements

Performing the duties of this job regularly involves sitting, standing, walking. The duties also involve active hearing/listening, grasping, and reaching, as well as occasional lifting and carrying of products and supplies up to 50lbs. Vision requirements include close vision, the ability to adjust focus and color code.

Mental Requirements

This position requires the ability to: maintain an appropriate work pace; comprehend and lead strategic efforts; exercise logic and reasoning; organize, prioritize, and strategize; read; compose written communication; communicate verbally; problem solve; make decisions; count and compute; analyze and interpret data; multi-task/re-direct; experience numerous interruptions; ability to focus in an open-office environment and work alone successfully. This position requires the ability to maintain the highest standards of professional maturity, patience, and emotional intelligence in difficult or stressful situations.

Other Requirements

This position requires travel approximately 60% of the time. International travel may be required.

This job description is not designed to cover an exhaustive list of duties. Other duties may be assigned, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Safeguard Medical is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Safeguard Medical believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.