Product Manager – Social Data Solutions
Trimble is recruiting for a Product Manager to fill an opportunity in Leuven, Belgium. Within Trimble Transport & Logistics group, the so-called Social Data solutions include software products processing Drivers fields activity to deliver reports (on driving times, vehicle mileage…) and services (compliance to regulations, expenses management, wage calculations…). We today have a great footprint in The Netherlands, Belgium, France and serious ambitions to develop innovative solutions for the European market (Germany, Spain, Poland). Therefore, we’re looking for a dedicated Product Manager.
Job Summary
The Product Manager (PM) will focus on the Trimble Social Data product management. This consists in managing the different existing product lines roadmaps and defining the next generation of solutions.
He/She will be responsible for defining stories and prioritizing the Team Backlog to streamline the execution of program priorities while maintaining the conceptual and technical integrity of the features
or components for the R&D team. This requires coordination with stakeholders in our group (mainly in Management, Operations, Sales and Marketing) but also with multi-sites software development teams,
mainly in France (Lille) and The Netherlands (Oldenzaal), but also with outsourced resources. As product manager you will report to the General Manager of Social Data Solutions.
Measures of Success
- Contributes to and performs market analyses that identify all relevant current and future market elements that will determine product success. The analyses should be complete and integral and will typically include elements such as competitive product positioning in the market place; competitor strategies; sources of differentiation; distribution channel structure, market segmentation; branding strategies, etc.
- Contributes to the creation of a product business plan that based on the market analysis, defines the multi-generation market requirements for the product. This includes factors such as product features, frequent customer visits, product positioning, promotion, distribution and support as well as the market share, revenue and financial targets. Presents and/or sells the business plan(s) to management for project approval.
- Establishes and maintains product pricing strategy based on competitive product features, support, pricing, and other factors related to the overall competitive position of the market.
- Creates and owns detailed product definition after project approval. Initiates and facilitates the refinement of definition and User Requirement Documents with development and application
engineers. - Participates as a member in the product development team, with an agile development approach, and ensures that the product development output remains consistent with the product objectives.
- Coordinates the development of the documentation needed internationally for the success of the product. Documentation may include manuals, brochures, advertising, etc.
- Conducts training for the sales force to ensure that the sales people are fully capable of selling the
product based on features superiority and differentiation as well as other factors identified in the
business plan. But also maintains a regular communication of the product line evolutions. - Ensures that the support for the product is in place at the time the product is released and
monitors the support to ensure that it remains consistent with objectives of the business plan. - Monitors product results in detail and ensures that the organization is aware of any performance
shortfalls against business plan objectives and takes actions, as directed. - Participates in industry trade association events, technical working groups, seminars, etc.
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven working experience in product management, with track record of managing all aspects of a successful product throughout its lifecycle
- Proven ability to develop product and marketing strategies and effectively communicate recommendations to executive management
- Ideally a knowledge of the Transport and Logistics market
- Solid technical background with understanding and/or hands-on experience in software development and web technologies
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to roll up one’s sleeves to get the job
- Skilled at working effectively with cross functional teams in a matrix organization
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, Dutch and French.
- MS/BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent preferred