Job Description:
The Product Line Specialist (PLS) executes a strategy that supports the achievement of sales growth and profitability in the Americas Fiber Optic Hardware product line. The candidate is responsible for product definition, product positioning as well as optimizing long term profitability by balancing value pricing & customer demand position. The PLS also acts as the key interface between the sales and commercial organization, technology, manufacturing, and production planning.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Execute product life-cycle management strategy and activities to optimize portfolio offering
Establish pricing strategies to maximize profitability and achieve growth
Develop and execute short-term and long-term business strategies and product roadmap
Champion new product launches through collaboration with diverse cross-functional teams
Understand the competitive environment and devise plans to differentiate and counteract
Interpret market demand and provide forecast input for capacity planning
Provide technical support to develop product literature and promotional brochures
Support key day-to-day activities for Carrier, Enterprise, and Wireless markets
Formulate value propositions with commercial team to position against the competition
Influence supply-chain and procurement to deliver best cost and service
Plan war-gaming scenarios and strategize responses to requests for quotation/proposal
Provide product training and support to the Customer Representative (CSR) organization
Assist in resolving product, quality, and service issues while balancing customer needs
Identify opportunities to reduce complexity and costs
Collect and distribute specialized reports and key product line metrics for analysis
Competencies
People – Peer Relationships and Collaboration
Can solve problems and represent own interests while being fair
Can solve problems with peers while encouraging collaboration
Is seen as a team player and is cooperative; easily gains trust and support of peers
Business – Customer Focus, Dealing with Ambiguity, Organization and Problem Solving
Dedicated to meeting expectations and requirements of internal and external customers
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers; gains trust and respect
Gets first-hand information and uses it for improvements in products and services
Can effectively cope with change; isn’t upset when things are up in the air
Can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture
Doesn’t have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty
Can marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done
Can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal
Uses resources effectively and efficiently; arranges information and files in a useful manner
Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions
Probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems
Is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious
Function/Technical – Product and Process Knowledge, Industry Acumen, Matrix Management
Anticipates changes in customer products or technology
Position Corning products to be designed into next generation customer products
Uses knowledge of competitor products/services reinforce value proposition
Uses knowledge of market demand to determine positioning of products
Understands competitive landscape and intel to aid in decision making
Verifies that creative customer solutions fit within the organization’s goals and strategy
Mobilizes resources across functional areas to accomplish common, specific objectives
Uses diplomacy and tact to handle and diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably
Uses change management to gain commitment related to the product line improvements
Builds credibility by delivering data-based strategic direction and articulately
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%, some international
Hours of work/work schedule/flex-time: 8am-5pm Monday through Friday
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree (required) – Engineering or Business (preferred)
MBA (preferred)
Required Years and Area of Experience:
2 to 5+ years of experience in product line management, engineering, commercial/marketing or manufacturing
Required Skills
Demonstrate entrepreneurship with ability to formulate visions/strategies and predict trends
Ability to work with other functional groups and deliver results across functional teams
Ability to plan, manage, execute multiple priorities and perform under pressure
Possess strong analytical skills; understanding of financial statements is a plus
Possess strong work ethic and attention to detail with excellent organizational skills
Demonstrates pro-activeness and delivers results consistently in a timely manner
Fluent command of the English language and possesses excellent presentation skills
Able to compose and communicate both in written and verbal formats
Work efficiently on multiple projects and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines
Desired Skills
Knowledge of Carrier, Enterprise, and Wireless markets and architectures
Experienced in fiber optic hardware installation, architecture and functionality
International business work experience; conversational Spanish language skills
