Head of Product Management
Location: Haag, St. Gallen, CH
Employment Type: Permanent
BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.
Innovation, Efficiency, and Ambition: this is what VAT has stood for over 50 years. With this passion, VAT has grown into the leading international developer, manufacturer, and supplier of high-performance high-end vacuum valves and vacuum sealing technology, employing over 2000 people worldwide. The headquarters are located in Haag (Switzerland), with production centers in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania, and Taiwan.
Position Overview
The Head of Product Management will be responsible for managing all aspects of a dedicated product portfolio, including strategy development to achieve business plan goals. This role involves driving the product portfolio throughout its life cycle, from development project management to market introduction, continuous improvement activities, cost reduction initiatives, supporting product relocation efforts, as well as product replacement and phase-out.
This position is essential in ensuring that the business operates according to customer requirements and processes while leading a team of Product Managers.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Orders and sales
- Profitability (%CM, NSP, COGS, EBITDA)
- Market share growth in ADV and number of specifications won (DarWin Targets)
- Quality of new product introductions
- Time-to-market
Responsibilities
- Overall product strategy, portfolio development, mid-to-long term planning, budgeting, sales projections, and profit and loss management in accordance with corporate and Business Unit targets.
- Managing the product portfolio and roadmaps to establish clear cost and time goals for core technology, engineering, supply chain, operations, and quality.
- Leading product management while directing engineering and supply chain teams to meet business unit goals across the value chain.
- Driving product portfolio synergies to develop differentiated, configurable platforms that decrease complexity.
- Ensuring timely quotations to sales and implementing value pricing throughout the organization to effectively position VAT products in the market.
- Proactively interacting with sales and key customers to enhance business outcomes.
- Gathering market requirements and competitive intelligence to formulate strategies and measures for competitiveness and market growth.
- Assigning, allocating, and developing the Product Management team for effective business results.
- Engaging with VAT innovation groups to foster innovation, manage platforms in products, and share technology insights.
- Supporting operations to optimize the supply chain for the products under management.
- Actively collaborating with quality teams to cultivate a zero-defect culture.
- Incorporating company standards of excellence into daily work to promote a total quality environment and demonstrate a personal commitment to excellence.
- Managing commercial contracts with the support of legal counsel, including customer framework agreements and NDAs.
Direct Reports
Matrixed Reports & Peers
- Application Engineering and Sales
- Sector Managers
- Operations
Formal Education & Knowledge
- Master's Degree in sciences, engineering, or economics.
- Fluent business-level English skills, both written and spoken.
- Profound project management skills in an internationally operating company.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to handle customer escalations effectively.
- Experience in product management within highly differentiated industrial businesses.
- Knowledge of practical product life cycle management.
Experience Required
- Strong entrepreneurial spirit and strategic thinking.
- Solid experience in managing international projects.
- Account management experience.
- Expertise in the general vacuum market or experience within the vacuum industry.
Apply Now
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Loïc Mazet via email at loic.mazet@vatgroup.com.