Roland Seeks Product Strategy Manager

Summary Description

A Product Strategy Manager is responsible for sales results of a product group, particularly for BOSS and Roland guitar product groups.

This includes the monitoring of sales numbers, communicating with R&D in Japan, traveling U.S. to understand the market trend, managing artist relations, developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies, directing public relations when appropriate and following through on all issues pertaining to their product group. The development of marketing/sales strategies includes programs and plans which stimulate interest, support, understanding, and sales of the product among the sales force, distributors, retailers, and consumers.

Duties and Responsibilities

•   Product Strategy Managers develop long range growth and competitive strategies; work closely with R&D and marketing team in Japan to ensure the correct new products with features and price points to meet changing market needs and competition.

•   Responsible for the launching of new products, Product Strategy Managers develop strategic plans to introduce a product and then provide ongoing sales analysis to monitor and report sales results.

•   The Product Manager will gather and compile continuous information on all pertinent competitive products, target customers, and maintain a data base on such. This information will then be communicated to Management, DSM’s, retailers and Roland and BOSS Japan.

•   Responsible for the development and forecast of division operating/revenue forecast budget as well as working with Supply Chain Management division.

•   Responsible for setting up product information including competitive pricing while working with Operations Department to ensure correct information is available within system.

•   The Product Manager must have extensive in-depth knowledge of operating all Roland and BOSS products in their group and maintain this level of knowledge for all new products as they are introduced.

•   Act as product group point person as it relates to marketing issues (Web, Video, content, Advertising, etc.) including Artist Relation activities.

•   The Product Strategy Manager is required to spend reasonable time at Roland Artist Relation Office to maximize our brand and relationship with influential artists.

•   Duties include producing demos, demonstrating at trade shows, written materials, developing POP’s and reporting activities regularly to management.

•   Responsible for the education and testing of DSM’s on product. This also includes non-Roland personnel at regional trainings, etc.

•   Responsible for division products for trade shows, regional training and clinics.

•   Responsible for managing Product Specialists and/or Clinicians in within their division.

Key relationships

•   Network of key internal and external contacts to gather market information

•   Customer service: consumer and customer feedback

•   Supply Chain: planning, inventory, purchasing

•   Sales: internal: relationships with sales office heads; external: relationship with top dealers

•   Sales Ops: align performance to goals (inventory, sales, margin), Maintain product catalog

•   Maintain key MI media relationships

•   Sales, Customer Service, Distribution, PR: first line of communication, training, responsiveness (go to person)

•   Mar-Coms: interacts and supports Mar-Coms Project Management for campaign development

•   Close interaction with European Product Managers

Employment Standards

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or related field a plus, or related work experience. Successful product management experience with global products company 3+ years.

Skills: Strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills. Excellent analytical and PC skills—Excel, Powerpoint, and Word.

Knowledge: Music appreciation—advanced musician/player/guitarist a plus. Especially extremely high level guitar and bass guitar, guitar effects and amplifier knowledge is required. Knowing BOSS products history is a plus. Experience working with Japanese culture helpful. Must have overall knowledge of successful product lifecycle and inventory management experience. Strong relationships within MI industry a plus.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyzes, and interprets general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the environment is moderate.

Physical Qualifications

•   This position requires the ability to sit 70% of the day, walk 20% and stand 10%.

•   Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.

•   Must also be able to bend, push, pull, and reach forward and from side to side to access files and boxes full of product.

•   Some driving is involved to attend seminars.

•   Requires constant use of hands, arms, and wrist movement for PC work.

•   Requires the ability to write memos, and possess good spelling skills and/or the ability to use a dictionary.

•   Must be able to read and comprehend what is read.

•   Basic math skills are required.

•   Must have good eyesight for reading, writing and use of PC.

•   Must have good hearing and be able to speak clearly, for phone work and interaction with other employees, vendors and other outside callers.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required by their supervisor.

This is an exempt salary position. Pay periods are bi-weekly. Company offers excellent salary, and benefit package will include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and much more. If interested, please send resume with salary history to employment@rolandus.com. NO AGENCY PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.