Product Manager

KSB is a leading supplier of pumps, valves and related service. Our reliable, high-efficiency products are used in applications wherever fluids need to be transported or shut off, covering everything from building services,industry and water transport to waste water treatment, power plant processes and mining. Founded in 1871 in Frankenthal, Germany, the company has a presence on all continents with its own sales and marketing organisations and manufacturing facilities. Around the globe, more than 190 service centres and around 3,500 service specialists are on hand to provide local inspection, servicing, maintenance and repair services under the KSB SupremeServ brand. Innovative technology that is the fruit of KSB’s research and development activities forms the basis for the company’s success.
People. Passion. Performance. It is these three success factors that make KSB the company it is today.
At KSB, we recognise that it is people who actually make the difference – the people we employ and the people we serve. This is why we are committed to equal rights and treatment worldwide and never lose sight of the aspects ecology and sustainability when manufacturing our products.

OVERVIEW:

The Digital Product Portfolio Manager is entrusted with the strategic oversight and development of standard product variants and ident numbers within all standard business segments (pumps, valves, spares), aiming for optimal availability, market alignment (fitness and competitiveness), and profitable growth of standard business across North America. Collaborating with cross-functional teams—including sales, product management, KSB factories, supply chain, and IT —the role ensures the development and release of the region’s standard product portfolio to ensure success for the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute strategies for standard products that align with diverse markets, customer requirements, and business goals in North America
• Oversee product business, ensuring timely and accurate availability, and manage the associated processes with regional stakeholders and KSB headquarters
• Work closely with essential business stakeholders, sales partners, and related parties on sustainable growth strategies aimed at maximizing market potential (including factory supply, product localization, complementary offerings, and third-party options)
• Partner with the selection tool responsible to integrate necessary variants and idents into the selection tools. Align product data, specifications, and updates to meet customer demands and ensure technical feasibility for the KSB factories
• Streamline the development, analysis, monitoring, and optimization of pricing strategies for standard products to enhance profitability and competitiveness. Ensure cohesive coordination of pricing activities and decisions across cross-functional teams, including regional sales, finance, central market segments, and KSB factories, fostering alignment, communication, and ongoing adjustment based on market dynamics
• Collaborate with sales and the supply chain team to cultivate and enhance relationships with KSB factories and central product management. This ensures a consistent supply of standard products via digital platforms and effective local inventory management for customer purchase
• Conduct Voice of Customer (VOC) research and interviews to uncover market trends, demand patterns, and opportunities for differentiation within North America. Utilize findings to guide product development initiatives and inform KSB factories and senior management
• Monitor the performance of standard business products by analyzing sales trends, inventory levels, and customer feedback. Identify areas for growth, potential risks, and opportunities for optimization to improve portfolio profitability and performance
• Communicate updates and changes to internal teams and conduct necessary training to facilitate seamless implementation and adoption of the optimized product portfolio

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelors degree in engineering, industrial engineering, strategic marketing, business administration, or a related field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in digital product management, data management, and visualization
• Specialized courses or certifications in marketing or product management are a plus
• Understanding of strategic development and planning processes to align standard business products with market needs and business objectives, coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed decisions
• Proficient in technical requirements related to product data, specifications, and digital platforms, with expertise in product lifecycle management, including variants and inventory management
• Knowledgeable in demand planning, JIT, Kanban, forecasting, and forecasting error calculations, as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess product portfolio performance and profitability
• Dedicated to understanding and meeting customer needs and market expectations to enhance satisfaction and loyalty
• A proactive, curious self-starter with a keen focus on project completion and successful implementation, adept at collaborating cross-functionally and fostering strong relationships within diverse teams

Drug and background screens are required.  (EOE/M/F/D/V) Drug Free Environment

KSB Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. KSB makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. 

We value employees who take the initiative and are committed to our company; Employees who take responsibility and for whom business success is the focus of their actions. In return, we offer fair framework conditions for collective wages and pensions, flexible working time models, individual training opportunities and the best career prospects.