Senior Sound System Product Manager (Sr. Director)

Company: HARMAN
Location: Novi
Posted on: May 4, 2022

Job Description:

A Career at HARMAN As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you'll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day. About the RoleAs a Senior Sound System Product Manager, you will join the Car Audio Business Unit within the Automotive Division at HARMAN International. You will partner with a team that is dedicated to defining, designing, and developing emerging sound experiences. Vehicle sound systems are increasingly used for conversation, communication, prompts, alerts, and noise management, as well as immersive audio from native and brought-in consumer devices. These consumer behaviors have accelerated the need for the automotive industry to focus on holistic sound-based experiences, which work with and augment traditional branded audio reproduction. You will work in a fast-paced environment, in conjunction with Harman's EPIC innovation & technology team, HUEMEN research & UX design team, and our world-class Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, and Marketing teams. You will define the brand promise, strategy, and product families for future generations of Harman branded sound systems, across our entire house of automotive brands, matched to our OEM partners and future pursuits. You will use these outcomes to support component-level product managers in their roles in defining and driving component product strategies and roadmaps for our global markets.In this role, you will be responsible for consumer-centric, OEM partner empathic, branded sound system definition, and roadmaps across our entire car global audio brand portfolio. You will be required to create compelling and differentiated system propositions based on market needs, consumer segments, customer fit, and technical feasibility; aligned to co-developed component product strategies and roadmaps, while ensuring system performance target delivery via the system and product roadmaps, from ideation to end of life. You will cultivate and nurture ongoing brand promise maturation and fit new technologies, architectures, consumer demands, and customer requirements, to keep our house of brands and branded systems relevant, desirable, and profitable now and in the future.This position will require a close partnership with HARMAN customer groups. With a focus on being the voice of the customer, you will be responsible for anticipating market needs and ensuring requirements are fed into the global management framework. You will play a key role in crafting and supporting customer pitches and partner relationship management. Both Global and Regional insights will be critical in driving success.Your TeamWhile this is an individual contributor role, you will be expected to lead with influence and work with cross-functional team members drawn from all relevant functions within the business in a matrix organization. This team will be empowered and aligned around company objectives. Excellent communication and leadership skills will be key to success.What You Will DoIdentify gaps and generate new ideas that contribute to improved consumer experience while addressing OEM partner pain points and needs, meeting Harman's business goals, and maturing our brand promises.Find and define OEM-winning system, product, and brand value proposition opportunities that differentiate HARMAN from our competitors and increase revenue and margins.Define and translate Proofs of Concept, consumer insights, customer feedback, and technology roadmaps into cohesive branded system definitions and support component productization, marketing, and partnership work streams, with a rolling 2-3-year iterative product roadmap and release calendarManage structured review of branded system concepts with the objectives as defined by the 2-3-year plan. Adapt to and manage change as a key strategic direction of the company, and respond rapidly to market opportunities that arise.Deliver overarching system and individually branded system-level MRD and PRDs with prioritized features and corresponding justificationTranslate product strategy into detailed requirements and prototypesWork closely with engineering teams to deliver with quick time-to-market and optimal resourcesAnalyze appropriate market data and extract technology, system architecture, and product trends for Harman, define necessary system requirements including performance, content, features/products, pricing, and SOP timing.Leverage technologies within and outside of HARMAN to develop lasting and winning relationships to benefit the unique nature of the diverse HARMAN business.Develop the core value proposition, brand and system positioning, and messaging for the Harman house of branded systems, the individual branded systems used by our OEM partners, and those targeted for new pursuits.Identify the Go-To-Market strategies for all branded audio systems (10-15 individual brand activations at major OEMs)Create buy-in for the branded system vision, both internally and with key external partnersDrive branded system early development (ideation, MRD/PRD, PoC, pre-RFQ, pre-development)Support pursuits and RFQs, product development, and launch, including working with engineering, marketing, public relations team, executives, and other product management team membersDevelop sales tools and collateral, leveraging our marketing teamsBrief and train the sales force at quarterly sales meetings and dedicated training sessionsDefine branded system cost targets in cooperation with the customer groups and component product management colleaguesRecommend list pricing, with accompanying competitive and margin analysis (high-level business case generation in cooperation with our finance teams)What You NeedBachelor's degree in Engineering, or Business Degree with practical sound domain experience.5 years of sound system hardware and software architecture, design, and development experience3 years of product management experience. Demonstrated success with B2B or B2B2C productsDemonstrated success or strong demonstrated aptitude for meshing multiple information streams (B2B customer voice, consumer insights, internal business targets, and new technologies into distinct brand promises), into system-level strategies and proposals, while leveraging underlying platform or business efficiencies.Knowledge and curiosity to stay abreast of market trends across industriesStrong customer orientation through credibility with the customer as a trusted, collaborative, and productive partner.Experience working in a matrix, global, cross-functional organization by collaborating with key stakeholders in sales, product operations, marketing, and engineering.Proven record of developing product and marketing strategies and effectively communicating recommendations to senior leadershipSolid technical background and on-hand experience in software development. Automotive experience is an advantage Appreciation for UX and designWhat is Nice to HaveMaster's Degree in Engineering, Business AdministrationEntrepreneurial experience3 years of experience working in the sound software domain (voice, audio, noise management).Senior Pre-Sales or Business development experienceExperience with branded audio system design, definition, and developmentWhat Makes You EligibleBe willing to travel up 50%, domestic and international travelSuccessfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employmentWhat We Offer Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, etc.)An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunitiesFlexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work-life integration and collaboration in a global environmentOn-site opportunities to focus on personal well-being and development such as onsite caf--, fitness center, weekly massage, fitness classes, and other onsite events promoted by our Employee resource groupsProfessional development opportunities through HARMAN University's business and leadership academiesInternal talent management leadership acceleration programs"Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards programScholarship programs for employee family membersTo protect our employees, customers, and communities, HARMAN requires all U.S. employees to disclose their vaccination status and share a copy of their vaccination card. This confidential data will be collected by a trusted third-party vendor via a secure portal upon your start at HARMAN.LI-AK1 HARMAN is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or Protected Veterans status. HARMAN offers a great work environment, challenging career opportunities, professional training and competitive compensation. (www.harman.com)PDN-959be741-c3f7-43c9-acdd-1de7b031ff88

Keywords: HARMAN, Novi , Senior Sound System Product Manager (Sr. Director), Executive , Novi, Michigan