Product Planning Specialist
Date: Dec 1, 2024
Location: Irvine, California, US, 92606
Company: Kia America, Inc.
At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.
Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.
Status
Summary
The Product Planning Specialist is responsible for supporting the development of product strategy for all current and future products. This position reports to the Senior Product Planning Manager and works frequently with Product Planning team members, Kia HQ, and Executive Coordinators. The purpose of this position is to ensure product proposals are aligned with current and future competitors, understand consumer met and unmet needs, and create products that resonate with the consumer while meeting corporate sales and profit targets. This is accomplished through various types of consumer research and competitive product and price position analysis, which is a key component of product proposals to executives. The ideal Product Planning Specialist will have passion and vision to help create exciting products, think creatively, and have a meticulous attention to detail.
Major Responsibilities
1st Priority - 35%
Facilitate internal product communication via PRG (Product Resource Guide) and support review of KUS marketing, sales-training and related vendor materials.
2nd Priority - 35%
Collect and analyze market data, perform Price Value Competitiveness (PVC) and other evaluations to determine Kia’s in-market and future competitiveness using internal product planning database tools (JATO/ Auto Analyst) and other information systems.
3rd Priority - 15%
Support Product Planning Managers to bring new vehicle development projects through the milestone phases. Assist with the development of presentation decks, research projects and the vehicle evaluation process.
4th Priority - 15%
Support operational tasks within Product Planning and with KUS customers: Sales, Marketing, Distribution, Regional Strategy Management includes Port/Plant vehicle Monroney checks, Model Option Code sheet; attend Product Quality (PQ) vehicle evaluations.
Education/Certification
- Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent work experience required.
Overall Experience
- 3+ years of experience in automotive product planning, marketing research, engineering, or other technology related fields
Directly Related Experience
- Passionate about vehicles, with industry, consumer, and technical knowledge and abilities
- Experience with data analysis or data management
- Extensive experience in development of PowerPoint presentations/decks
- Previous Product Planning or related experience preferred
Other Requirements:
- Occasional domestic and international travel may be required +/- 10%
- May need to work additional hours outside of normal business hours as required by the job, including weekends or holidays.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Must have a valid driver’s license. Position requires driving Kia and competitor vehicles to evaluate vehicles.
Skills
Competencies
Pay Range
$65,630 - $88,065
Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.
Equal Employment Opportunities
KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices. The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.
Disclaimer: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Nearest Major Market: Irvine California
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles
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Research Engineer, Market Research, Data Analyst, Database, Outside Sales, Engineering, Marketing, Data, Technology, Sales