Product Manager

Primary Work Location

Remote, USA

Overview

As a Product Manager you will be responsible for the growth and development of a specific product or family of products. This includes building new products and increasing the profitability of existing products. You will help develop new ideas based on your contact with customers and prospects. You are able to make decisions with imperfect information, know how to lead without authority and be comfortable management chaos, ambiguity and complexity. You possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy that includes a big-picture vision and the drive to make that vision a reality. You must enjoy spending time in the market to understand market problems, and finding innovative solutions for the broader market. You will maintain a careful eye on the future for new technologies and strategies that can strengthen and grow LI-COR’s market position.

Professional Qualifications

Education

1. B.S. or M.S. in biological or environmental sciences or related field. Business coursework and/or MBA preferred but not necessary. Business or Marketing degree acceptable with experience and strong understanding of science and technology.

Experience

1. Marketing and product management: Five years or more proven experience working in product marketing, product development, technical sales and/or technical support in a biological or technical environment.
2. Technical: Understanding and practical experience in plant physiology, agronomy, ecology, environmental sciences or related field. Understanding of techniques and working knowledge of instrumentation fundamental to the relevant scientific discipline(s). Experience, interest and aptitude in applying scientific skills in a business environment.

General

1. Record of using qualitative and quantitative data to prioritize and drive decision-making.
2. Metrics-driven: Strong analytical skills with ability to absorb and process large amounts of data into actionable information.
3. Pragmatic Marketing Certification or familiarity a plus.
4. Demonstrated excellence in both verbal and written communications.
5. Excellent people and management skills to interact with staff, colleagues, cross-functional teams and third parties.
6. Curious and comfortable holding professional conversations with target buyers and users.
7. Proven team leadership skills and service to team members. Can keep purpose clear and morale high, bolstering individual sense of shared commitment.
8. Ability to organize and prioritize work and to manage multiple detailed projects effectively.
9. High ethics, integrity, honesty and patience.
10. Able to travel (US and international up to 20%).

Position Responsibilities

SPECIFIC:

1. PRODUCT MANAGEMENT and STRATEGY
   • New Product Development: Provide leadership in the evaluation of new product concepts and ideas, new product development projects, setting product requirements and specifications, prioritizing features and coordinating focus groups and beta testing.  Develop product line financials.  Identify new applications for product lines and facilitate expansion of current markets.  Analyze potential partner relationships for products. May serve as the project leader for the development of products consistent with the assigned product line.
   • Product Strategy: Lead the efforts to ensure smooth and effective development. Understand the processes that lead to the right products launching at the right market times. Communicate vision and direction to the development teams, inspiring vision and a sense of core purpose. Talk beyond today, communication direction and possibilities, lead convergence, and make decisions that are right for customers and the business. Ensure the vision is sharable by everyone. Communicate short and long term business goals, including financial goals, and influence product development to support and impact those goals. Provide management with updates on the performance results, trends, analysis of future opportunities and risks, and marketplace benchmarks.
   • New Product Launch: Oversee the new product launch process including market position, pricing and promotion.  Work with members of the Sales Science Team to provide direction for promotional and technical materials, sales aids, product presentations, and training materials. Assist in organizing objectives, strategies, and plans for exhibitions. Interface with all other departments in the company and play a leadership role in product development projects, marketing activities, and product line support. Generate regular reports on overall portfolio performance and metrics including supporting background information regarding marketplace results. 
   • Market Analysis: Act as the “messenger of the market” from the outside-in to the rest of the organization. Know why we are winning and losing in the market, and drive changes to our product and processes to create improvement. Establish and maintain relationships with installed base and potential new customers in order to determine needs and the resulting product/solution opportunities. Conduct market research for adjacent spaces and gather market information, including customer needs, product information, competitive analysis, market size and share of LI-COR and competitors, market trends, etc
   • Competitive Analysis: Keep a finger on the pulse of our competition, and develop strategies and tactics to reduce the threat. Understand technology trends and ensure implementation of differentiation into products and solutions.
2. TECHNICAL SALES and SUPPORT
   • Work with Science and Support and Sales Science Teams to provide training as needed for internal staff and distributors relating to business goals, product positioning and differentiation, instrument function, configuration issues and basic technical support problems.
   • Develop and maintain necessary scientific and instrument experience to be proficient and stay current on assigned product line(s).

GENERAL:

1. Read journal articles, newsletters, product literature and other sources that present information about the marketplace, competition, business model generation, leadership, product management and new technologies. Conduct internet searches for relevant information.
2. The position will involve moderate international and domestic travel, group presentations, and scientific meetings.
3. Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.
4. Other job-related duties as assigned.