Product Line Manager, Sr.

About the position

The Product Line Manager, Sr. designs, develops, and manages activities for a specific group of products for AeroVironment, including planning through production, release, and end of product life. This position is for product line management position within the Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems product line. This position communicates and facilitates relationships with customers, socializes roadmaps with internal teams, partners with executive and strategy teams, and works daily with Program Management and Engineering. Will define creative, high quality, simple roadmaps for missions, products, and capabilities to achieve the company’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Holds complete responsibility, accountability and authority for the product line(s)
• Manages product line(s) through entire lifecycle, sunrise to sunset, and works to establish clear Go-to Market plans for new products while effectively balancing customer and business needs when retiring older products
• Collaborates with Marketing and Business Development to define product pricing, promotion, placement and preferred features
• Develops technical requirements, business requirements, and user stories which drive Product Requirements to Operations and Engineering
• Consults with CTO office and/or engineering on latest technologies and their inclusion within SUAS product roadmap(s)
• Manages prioritization and trade-offs among projects to effectively manage SUAS portfolio, achieve a balance of products, and address resource needs
• Interfaces with customers to understand concept of operations and problem statements and works to drive solutions within the product line(s)
• Creates buy-in for the product vision both internally and with key customers
• Leads fiscal year budgeting for product line R&D and sustainment activities and holds budget accountability for their respective product line(s)
• Evaluates markets and opportunities to support current and future business
• Assesses product and project risks and provide feedback risk mitigation and contingency plans developed by PMO and Engineering
• Oversees new product introduction activities with engineering and operations and ensures alignment with the Go-to-Market plans
• Establishes, tracks and analyzes product line performance metrics and takes action to address issues and/or opportunities
• Ensures project and customer data is protected in accordance with ITAR, security classification guides and company proprietary information procedures
• Identifies and manages organizational and/or customer conflicts
• Comprehends and improves relevant development processes, and ensure adherence
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments
• May supervise the activities of others
• Establishes policy and procedures for the Product Line team consistent with AeroVironment’s corporate Quality Management System
• Strong supporter of continuous improvement and seeks opportunities to drive change through the organization in support of product development, manufacturing, cost and quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 12-15 years’ relevant experience
• Proven track record of taking ownership and driving results – is a self-starter and self-directed
• Experienced in and is comfortable with presenting to executive leadership
• Experienced in product road mapping, R&D, and product sustainment activities
• Knowledge of UAS systems and products, and a track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated computer skills and proficiency with office productivity software
• Experienced managing a department or project budget
• Experienced with Defense products and customers
• Experience managing the work of others
• Familiarity with managing Profit/Loss

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced degree preferred
• Leads with rapid agility to deal with shifting priorities, demands, and timelines
• Understands and is able to communicate all product roadmaps within the Product Line Management group and demonstrates strategic skills
• Displays strong critical thinking skills, demonstrated ability to analyze and break down problems into components
• Exhibits exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• Paid holiday shutdown