Manager, Product Strategy (Current Product)

at  GILLIG

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation. GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support. From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering; MBA preferred
• 8+ years cumulative experience in Engineering, Product Planning, Strategy, or Product Management in Heavy-Duty Truck, Automotive, or Off-road construction / agricultural equipment, or equivalent
• Ability to analyze highly detailed, technical product information and distill salient comparisons in clear and concise, executive level presentations
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and project management skills
• Attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and ability to deliver on tight deadlines and firmly steer long-term projects
• Proven technical, quantitative and critical-thinking skills, high level of independent judgment, initiative and creativity to identify and clearly communicate key performance drivers to senior management
• Hands-on experience using strategic and tactical decision-making tools and methods such as Analytic hierarchy process, Pugh analysis, Kano, Ansoff, X-Matrix, etc.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional stakeholders in organized, technology- and product-focused data gathering, analysis and selection processes.
• Ability to lead others in building and right-sizing processes and methods in a very dynamic technology field with a very dynamic set of customer needs.
• Experience within advanced technology and R&D environments preferred
• Demonstrated effective written, interpersonal and oral communication skills

ABOUT THE ROLE

In order to deliver on our mission to design, build and support the safest and most reliable buses in the industry, GILLIG takes a thoughtful, research-based approach to developing our strategic product portfolio roadmap. We partner with our customers and our suppliers to understand customer requirements, market trends, product capabilities, technology trends and strategic opportunities. Leveraging this insight, we design and build market leading products in our world-class manufacturing facilities in Livermore, CA.
As the Manager, Product Strategy – Current Products, you will be responsible for developing a deep understanding of the internal and customer requirements, competitive forces, and supplier capabilities. Taking an overall strategic understanding and positioning of GILLIG’s Product Portfolio, you will analyze and use this information to facilitate strategic decision making.
You will report to the Director, Product Strategy and work collaboratively and closely with the company’s leadership team.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Own the development of product roadmaps for major systems within GILLIG’s portfolio, including, but not limited to:
• Diesel, CNG, and Hybrid Powertrains (including transmissions)
• Braking and Suspension Systems
• Doors, Windows, and Ramps
• Develop a robust analysis of supplier and competitor capabilities, roadmaps, and limitations within the portfolio and serve as the in-house expert on all such information
• Develop and improve the product strategy processes, knowledge base, and capabilities
• Utilize macro, market, or technology trends as inputs into product plans
• Establish a deep understanding of customer requirements and value positions
• Collaborate with GILLIG’s leadership and subject matter experts to gain a deep understanding of requirements and value positions
• Support the development of product marketing materials and competitor claim rebuttals
• Organize and lead company stakeholders (director level) to prioritize and plan those product improvements and changes requiring significant engineering effort
• Establish and lead efforts to reduce product cost
• Establish and lead processes to manage product option proliferation
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key current and potential future suppliers
• Supervise other members of the Product Strategy team to deliver department objectives