Director of Product Management

J&N Electric, a division of Arrowhead Engineered Products, is hiring a Director of Product Management to define product strategy and ensure products are positioned, represented, and perform successfully in the marketplace. The role leads Product Management, Cataloging, Product Data, and Quality teams, overseeing product roadmaps, launches, catalog data, quality, and portfolio performance.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and own category strategies and a prioritized product roadmap utilizing VIO data, OE research, interchange analysis, competitive intelligence, sales trends, and margin performance
• Lead the stage-gate product development process from business case creation through sourcing, validation, launch, and post-launch review
• Partner with Sourcing and Engineering to establish product cost targets, quality standards, and market positioning
• Recommend pricing, assortment, and portfolio optimization strategies
• Apply 80/20 methodologies, portfolio simplification, and zero-based review processes to maintain strategic coverage while reducing complexity
• Evaluate market opportunities and competitive gaps to support profitable growth initiatives
• Own application, fitment, OE, and competitor interchange data across all product categories
• Establish and maintain ACES/PIES standards and structured cataloging processes, including non-vehicle applications
• Ensure timely, accurate catalog submissions and data feeds across distributor, retail, eCommerce, and marketplace channels
• Govern product master data across ERP, PIM, and customer systems through defined ownership, change management, and audit processes
• Leverage workflow automation and AI-enabled tools to improve the speed, consistency, and accuracy of product data enrichment and validation
• Drive continuous improvement in catalog accuracy and product discoverability
• Establish fit, form, function, durability, and validation requirements in partnership with Engineering, Sourcing, and suppliers prior to product launch
• Lead the commercial review of warranty claims, product returns, and field failures to distinguish product defects from application or data-related issues
• Drive root-cause investigations and corrective actions to resolution
• Incorporate quality learnings into product specifications, supplier performance management, and catalog content improvements
• Monitor quality trends and implement proactive measures to improve product reliability and customer satisfaction
• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team across Product Management, Cataloging, Product Data, and Quality functions
• Establish clear priorities, performance expectations, role accountability, and succession plans
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, customer focus, and engagement
• Lead regular business reviews, roadmap discussions, launch gate meetings, catalog accuracy reviews, quality assessments, and KPI reviews
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and target-to-improve (TTI) metrics
• Present concise monthly business, product, and portfolio updates to senior leadership
• Partner closely with Sales, eCommerce, Sourcing, Engineering, Operations, and other Arrowhead business leaders to drive strategic initiatives

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 8+ years of automotive aftermarket experience in Product Management, Catalog Management, Product Data Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing teams
• Strong knowledge of ACES, PIES, OE and competitor interchange data, vehicle applications, and catalog management best practices
• Demonstrated success developing product roadmaps and prioritizing initiatives using financial, market, and customer data
• Experience leading cross-functional product launches
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with ERP, PIM, and catalog management systems
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills
• Sound business acumen with the ability to influence and lead across functions
• Experience with rotating electrical products including starters, alternators, and related components
• Working knowledge of VCdb, PCdb, PAdb, and Qdb
• Experience conducting warranty analysis and managing supplier corrective action processes
• Knowledge of 80/20 portfolio management and continuous improvement methodologies