Product Development Specialist (Level DOE)

Job Information

Bobcat Company's success is directly influenced from a competitive product portfolio that is aligned to the strategy and long-range plan (LRP) of the entire organization. As a Product Development Specialist, you will collaborate with cross-functional partners to maximize success with current products and to establish and deliver a short and mid-term product development roadmap (AOP) that directly supports achievement of the company’s strategic and financial objectives.

Success with new product development is the foundation for maximizing Bobcat product competitiveness, operational efficiency, and overall company sales and financial performance. As a Product Development Specialist, you will collect and analyze market and customer research to investigate new product development opportunities. You will provide input to establish globally aligned product targets for new product development projects. The Product Development Manager represents the Voice of Customer to maximize success with current products and partners with the new product development teams to ensure achievement of product targets and project goals.

Role & Responsibility

New Product Development

• Provide market opportunity and product requirements for smaller scale new product development projects or product enhancements
• Define product management plan and lead or collaborate with cross-functional teams on new product development projects to achieve project goals
• Initiate sales bill of material development for sales and production planning system
• Initiate launch planning and opening of orders for new products and options
• Support development, approve content, and participate in market events or activities
• Act as liaison with the attachments team to ensure alignment between the product and approved attachments

Market Research & Product Support

• Research and respond to dealer & customer product support inquiries and provide on-going product support to dealer Sales Specialists and Bobcat Field Marketers
• Capture and analyze industry data to support business and product decision making
• Initiate regular customer and dealer interaction to ensure thorough understanding of customer application and user profiles, and dealer considerations in selling and supporting products
• Initiate and/or participate in external research activities to understand customer and dealer needs
• Leverage or collect, and analyze accurate competitive product price, specification, feature & benefit, and option configuration data to support business and product targets
• Coordinate with Product Data Management team to develop and maintain accurate price and specification data sheets
• Provide technical knowledge and product insights to support or participate in commercial events or activities

Team Performance & Development

• Participate or facilitate collaboration activities across the Product Management team. Hire, supervise and develop co-op team members
• Refine existing or develop new processes that govern product management activities and facilitate cross-regional, cross-functional collaboration

Job Requirement

• Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Engineering
• Experience Preferred: 3+ years of experience in Product Development, Engineering or Market Development
• Travel Required: 10 - 24% (international travel may occur)
• Construction product (or related) development knowledge and operation experience
• Experience in conducting and compiling market and customer research
• Verbal and written communication skills and the willingness to speak in front of audiences ranging from 5-100 people
• Ability to handle objections from dealer staff, incorporating feedback where appropriate and providing supporting evidence to help change dealer mindset where appropriate
• #GD