Product Manager

The Busch Group is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of vacuum pumps, vacuum systems, blowers, compressors, and gas abatement systems. Under its umbrella, the group houses two well-known brands: Busch Vacuum Solutions and Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions.

The gas abatement systems previously offered by centrotherm clean solutions – a former Busch Group brand – are now part of the Pfeiffer portfolio. The extensive product and service offer includes solutions for vacuum, overpressure, and abatement applications in all industries, such as food, semiconductors, analytics, chemicals, plastics, and aerospace. This also includes the design and construction of tailor-made vacuum systems and a worldwide service network. 

The Busch Group is a family business that is managed by the Busch family. More than 8,000 employees in 44 countries worldwide work for the group. Busch is headquartered in Maulburg, Baden Württemberg, in the tri-country region of Germany, France and Switzerland. The Busch Group manufactures in its 23 own production plants in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Romania, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Vietnam. The Busch Group has an annual consolidated revenue of close to 2 billion Euro.

SUMMARY

The Product Manager develops, implements, and manages product line strategies and marketing activities to provide optimum sales and profit results. Determines short- and long-term strategies and tactics for the marketing of product lines. Evaluates effectiveness of marketing programs and concepts. Completely understands product line features, benefits, pricing, positioning, design aspects, and marketing techniques.

Must be highly motivated, organized, and capable of multi-tasking several projects or efforts at any given time. Responsibilities include working hand-in-hand with Business Development Managers, Sales, other Product Managers as well as peers in other departments, such as Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials, Quality, and/or Sales & Marketing.

The Product Manager also has Profit and Loss responsibility. They are responsible for managing the life cycle of their Product Lines from identifying market needs to successful financial performance after volume release. In addition, Product Managers are responsible for initiating or managing Private Label Agreements on either a supplier- or customer basis or explore and recommend the need for Joint Development activities with other companies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Exercise of judgment, discretion, and tact in all business matters and business relationships is required. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain clear and cooperative working relationships with co-workers and demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality are essential. The organization’s leadership promotes collaborative problem solving in both formal and informal work teams. Participation in and contribution to teamwork within the organization is required. Necessary interpersonal skills include being a self-starter, motivated, creative, flexible, self-confident, deadline oriented and able to multi-task. Employees must follow all quality and safety procedures of the company, including those at customer sites if applicable, and must abide by the corporate Code of Conduct in all situations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Duties

1. Plans, executes, oversees, and occasionally directs activities concerned with all operational facets related to the success of each product line. This may include working with Engineering, Sales, Manufacturing, and Distribution of the product lines; utilizing state-of-the-art knowledge of product technologies and production methodologies, as well as a thorough knowledge of customers and markets served. Specific responsibilities include: 
   • Setting product line list prices for domestic and international markets.
   • Defining and establishing acceptable discount and commission levels.
   • Reviewing, understanding, and recommending improvements to product line cost structures.
   • Monitoring competitor activities, product portfolios, and pricing to assure competitiveness.
   • Providing input and updates to Product Sales and Profitability forecasts.
   • Championing new product development ideas or initiatives and participating in new product development teams.
2. Travels for the purposes of:
   • Attending and working at trade shows and conventions.
   • Giving product training presentations at select sales meetings and other venues.
   • Assisting in the Sales / Marketing effort by giving product presentations, or consulting on product installations, at customer locations.
3. Works closely with Engineering and Materials to assure BOMs, Routers and Costs are accurately entered into the business system.
4. Assures Assembly Instructions, as well as Operating and Service Manuals, exist and are current for all applicable products lines.
5. Measures, tracks, and reports on performance of each product line, and determines appropriate corrective actions if performance results negatively deviate from expectations.
6. Resolves internal and external problems regarding technical issues, product deliveries, and/or quality concerns. Oversees completion of Corrective Actions and proposes timely and effective solutions to customer complaints and concerns.
7. Prepare correspondence to keep peers and supervisors abreast of product line activities and issues.
8. Schedule and conduct meetings, including issuing of meeting notes and clear action items.
9. Rally support for and persuade others in acceptance of desired product changes and improvements.
10. Work with Marketing in the creation of advertisements, catalogs, or other printed collateral.
11. Attend and present materials at regularly scheduled Product Managers’ meetings

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tasks require walking, sitting, bending, reaching, mobility, frequent lifting and pushing/pulling. Work requires computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, and data-entry), attention to detail and accuracy. Communication skills including listening and speaking are required for interaction with other employees, vendors, and customers. Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to balance multiple tasks and any stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job.

Secondary duties with added requirements may be assigned from time to time.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Company Values

Pfeiffer Vacuum V&E believes that we are all suppliers and customers of someone in our organization. Our employees must be able to demonstrate this customer-centric belief - which means that you are value-adding, reliable, performance-driven, innovative, service-minded, and agile – in all of their business activities. We expect that our company values of open mindedness, trust, communication, thinking strategically/being creative, being courageous, accountable, and humble, ethical sensitivity/compliance, resilience/facing diversity and fostering a culture of empowerment, engagement and collaboration will drive the actions of our employees.

General Qualifications

1. Must have strong organizational and time-management skills in order to prioritize and complete competing multiple tasks simultaneously.
2. Must have ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with coworkers, customers, and other departmental personnel in a professional and positive manner.
3. Must have excellent presentation skills in a variety of settings, primarily for customer or sales presentation purposes.
4. Requires ability to accurately input, manipulate and access information using moderately complex computers and software programs; with minimum software requirements being Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (or equivalent).
5. Requires strong ability to work with others to share specific knowledge of semiconductor/vacuum products, processes, and/or procedures in order to continuously make improvements.
6. Ability to lead, influence and persuade relevant decision makers throughout all levels of the organization, as well as relevant decision makers within customers’ organizations.
7. Familiarity with manufacturing documentation processes and systems.
8. Travel as necessary involving overnight stays and occasionally being out of town over weekends.

Education and/or Experience

1. Any combination of education, training, and relevant experience equivalent to a minimum of the following:
   • BS in Engineering or BS/BA in Business Administration; 48 months of equipment product management experience; 12-months of experience in semiconductor/vacuum related Product Line Management (preferred); or
   • Associate degree in Business Administration, or a technically related field; plus 60 months of equipment product management experience; 24-months of experience in semiconductor/vacuum related Product Line/s Management (preferred).

Language Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Mathematical Skills

Excellent mathematics skills.

Reasoning Ability

Must be able to multitask and operate in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a disciplined approach to oversee employer and customers’ needs. Works on assignments that are analytical by nature. Must be able to solve both practical and complex problems and deal with a variety of factors.

TOOLS AND/OR EQUIPMENT

None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position may work in various environments including office, factory, or home settings. Employees who choose to work from home are expected to comply with all company requirements for core work hours or in-person attendance at company meetings or events. (as applicable)

85% inside, climate / noise-controlled office, and 15% manufacturing environment or traveling; lifting to 50 lbs. on occasion. Eye and hearing protection may be required in manufacturing areas; and additional protective clothing may be required when visiting customer sites.

PAY RANGE: $85,000 - $98,000/year

This position is primarily based on site at the Yreka, California facility supporting the Company’s employees and the Busch Group USA team.

Pfeiffer Vacuum V&E is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, please contact Danielle Clair at 530-841-9150.

Applicants must be able to work in the United States without sponsorship. We participate in E-Verify.

EEO/AA/M/F/Veteran/Disabled