Job Description

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $2B in revenue, and employ approximately 11,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

What We Offer:

• A hybrid in office schedule for qualifying employees
• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

We are seeking a Product Line Manager (PLM) to join our Test & Inspection team at our Westford, MA location. The Product Line Manager's primary role is to deliver product and market intelligence to AFL with the objective of increasing market share for assigned product range(s). The PLM will define product, pricing, and promotion strategies. After gaining knowledge of our environment, there is the opportunity for this position to work under our Hybrid schedule working both in the office and remotely.

Responsibilities

Strategy

• Achieves long term market performance goals by establishing the long-term vision and strategy for assigned product ranges
• Acts as the champion and evangelist for communicating the product line vision and strategy to all relevant participants and stakeholders

Portfolio Management

• Successfully manages designated product range(s) over its life cycle in the broader product portfolio of the business area in a manner that maximizes the overall return/profit to the company, within the context of company, business area and marketing plans. Ensures compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and commercial change process.
• Leads the commercial input to the product development process including the development of product market requirements and identification of target market segments and customers for new products.
• Manages all aspects of the product (s) life cycle starting with the detailed planning phase (in development) until the product is Defines Product Models and Structures. Identify Offerings Items & Structures.

Sales Enablement

• Identifies the requirements for coordinating the development and deployment of the training, content, processes, practices and tools needed to support salespeople throughout the buyer’s journey. This includes working collaboratively with sales, marketing, partners and other key stakeholders to increase sales results and productivity.
• Responsible for the performance of new product introductions including accountability for project pro-forma post launch financial performance.

Pricing

• Determines product pricing by utilizing market research data; revising production and sales costs; anticipating volume; costing special and customized orders.
• Effectively manages prices including list price and customer or project level discounting to balance growth, capacity utilization and product line profitability objectives.

Other

• Establishes a commitment to quality and communicate the importance of meeting statutory, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Ensures quality policy is understood, implemented, and maintained at all levels of the organization.
• Establishes and communicate quality objectives that are measurable and consistent with the quality policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Engineer, Science, Business Administration, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in product marketing, product development or related field
• Strong project management skills
• Optical networking or telecommunications product/industry/technical acumen
• Product Management/Marketing expertise, including market trends/analysis, NPI process, product roadmap development, product life-cycle management
• Experience working effectively within a matrix environment
• Experience working in a global environment
• Occasional travel may be required; approximately 20% or less
• Ability to work extended hours to accommodate global operations may be required

Personal Qualities

• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Ability to work in teams and build collaborative relationships
• Strong analytical and process skills

Other information

• AFL is a fast paced and complex environment
• Role is a critically important role in our Test & Inspection team
• Salary range for this Product Line Manager role is $89,700 – $149,500 per year based on personal and industry experience