Parts Product Manager (Maintenance Parts and Direct Ship Programs)

Job Overview

This position specializes in maintenance parts and direct-ship programs and will play a pivotal role in driving the success of Komatsu’s aftermarket business. This position will also be responsible for overseeing and enhancing a portfolio of products, with a heavy focus on data enrichment activities. The goal is to ensure that customers have access to the right parts, at the right time, and in the most efficient way possible.

This role will have responsibility for a specific product portfolio and the duties related to the promotion, sales, and data enrichment activity for the maintenance and direct-ship program parts. Primary objectives and duties related to the effective management of these categories include sales growth, sales expansion, training, program development, marketing & promotion, forecasting, and supplier management.

Additionally, this position will also take part in the development, execution, and administration of programs, products, and activities supporting Komatsu’s Distributor parts counter (inside sales), personnel, and managers.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Product Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive product strategy for a specified portfolio of products. Align this strategy with the Company's overall business goals and objectives.
• Data Enrichment: Lead efforts to enrich maintenance parts data, including parts content, images, descriptions, specifications, related parts, and alternatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, data providers, and vendors to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
• Market Research: Continuously monitor industry trends, customer feedback, and competitor offerings to identify opportunities for product improvement and innovation.
• Roadmap Development: Create and maintain a product roadmap that outlines the prioritized features, enhancements, and projects required to meet business objectives.
• Work closely with User Experience (UX) designers to ensure that Komatsu’s maintenance parts and direct ship programs provide a seamless and intuitive experience for customers.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with engineering, sales, marketing, and operations teams to align product development and marketing efforts. Ensure clear communication and coordination between departments. Communicate with Distributor Management as well as inside and outside sales staff to identify needs, provide training and support, and identify sales opportunities.
• Product Launch: Plan and execute successful product launches, including coordinating marketing campaigns, training sales teams, and monitoring product performance during product life-cycle.
• Performance Analysis: Regularly analyze the performance of maintenance parts and direct ship programs. Utilize data-driven insights to make informed decisions and optimize product offerings. Conduct regular accountability meetings with suppliers; evaluate alternative supplier offerings; partner with suppliers for targeted Distributor sales growth opportunities.
• Customer Engagement: Engage with customers to gather feedback and insights, fostering strong customer relationships. Address customer concerns and prioritize product improvements based on customer needs.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure the parts in your portfolio comply with relevant industry regulations and quality and safety standards.
• Active contributor to Komatsu’s Distributor Parts Counter reform initiatives.

Qualifications/Requirements

• University degree (minimum of B.S. /B.A.) in Marketing, Business, Management, Engineering or Analytics.
• Five years’ experience in the heavy equipment or similar industry (automotive, auto parts, industrial supply or similar industry)
• A minimum of two years’ experience as Product Manager.
• Highly organized and efficient with time management, proficient at responding quickly to customer issues, capable of maintaining focus on job responsibilities while traveling.
• Strong presentation and communication skills in addition to proficiency in MS Office tools, especially PowerPoint, Excel or database programs.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships throughout the organization, both internally and externally, which will include interfacing with Distributor principals and other Executive Management, staff and vendors.
• Available to travel up to 35% of the time.
• Due to collaboration activities, this position is required to be on-site at Komatsu Chicago HQ at least three days a week (telecommuting policy subject to change at any time), and have the ability to be onsite for other meetings when required.

Additional Information