Product Strategy Manager (incl LCV)
Date: Feb 28, 2023
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 time off starting at 14 days per year. 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
Under the direction of the Manager, Car Product Planning develops short and long-range product strategies, vehicle packaging, upfitting, customization, color and trim product recommendations for Purpose Built and Passenger Vehicles. Position is fundamental in the development of Kia U.S. sales growth, through products that meet the needs of Kia dealers and buyers.
Major Responsibilities
1st Priority - Product Life Cycle Management (45%)
- Develop yearly product recommendations by monitoring competitor actions, industry and fleet / mobility vehicle trends, and dealer and buyer reactions to managed products
- Adjust or re-package managed products in response to buyer and dealer needs or to respond to Kia HQ or KUS manufacturing or profitability needs
- Collaborate with Kia HQ, Fleet Sales and Mobility depts to support new business opportunities
- Recommend product packaging and configuration changes as necessary to deliver purpose-built and passenger vehicle business unit objectives, reflect market dynamics, and respond to competitive actions or KUS Fleet Sales dept. requests
- Ensure product specification accuracy and buildable order condition
- Support / attend product launch events, PQ evaluations, port inspections, Kia HQ Design reviews, and other product related activities
- Manage the Product Resource Guide (PRG) and ensure timely updates
- Take on the role of internal product champion – Kia NA, KUS, HATCI, Kia HQ
- Develop and present presentation decks including to senior management. Support dept. and executive ad hoc projects
2nd Priority - Market, Brand, Research Collaboration (25%)
- Coordinate with Business Insight, Sales, and Marketing post-launch vehicle assessment process – dealer, regional visits / survey
- Maximize product related deliverables from market activities, internal research projects such as voice of customer, identifying product strengths, unmet customer needs
- Conduct competitive analysis to identify product and pricing opportunities to support Sales / Marketing strategy and activities
- Develop an annual product overview to support regional orders
- Review the company’s consumer facing website, marketing brochures, training materials, and related POS materials
3rd Priority - Vehicle Pricing Lead (20%)
- Coordinate with the pricing manager to develop pricing strategies and proposals for current and new products
- Recommend model year price position based on value planning and competitor actions
- Jointly develop with the pricing manager the product and pricing EAD deck
- Ensure for managed products spec accuracy in JATO or other database used for pricing analysis
4th Priority - Long Range Product Support (10%)
- Identify USPs for next generation models that are marketable and provide a meaningful competitive advantage
- Develop trim and packaging strategies, mix rate target for future products that maximize Kia marketability through buyer satisfaction
- Collaborate with KUS, Kia HQ, HATCI on next generation product concepts and pricing strategies to support business objectives
Education/Certification
- Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience required
- Post Graduate Degree preferred
Overall Experience
- 7-10 years’ experience in automotive product planning, marketing research, engineering or related field
Directly Related Experience
- Automotive enthusiast with industry, consumer, and technical knowledge and abilities
- Previous Light Commercial Vehicle (Purpose-Built) or Passenger Vehicle program experience required
- Extensive experience in development of presentation papers
Skills
Competencies
Pay Range
$95,200.00 - $128,500.00
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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PLM, Marketing Manager, Research Engineer, Market Research, Management, Marketing, Automotive, Engineering