Associate Product Line Manager (Hybrid Office Schedule)

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 $1.5B in revenue, and employ approximately 7,000 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 an Associate Product Line Manager to join our AFL Test & Inspection team in Westford, MA. 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.

As the "owner" of one's product line, the Associate Product Line Manager (APLM) will drive profitability and guide the team to lead and develop (fiber optics) solutions, and increase customer satisfaction with existing solutions. The APLM builds products from existing ideas and helps to develop new ideas based on customer needs and market requirements.

Responsibilities

Understand Customer Requirements

• Gain a deep understanding of customer requirements, use cases, and customer experience. Identify and fill product gaps and generate new ideas that grow market share, improve customer experience and drive growth.

• Understand, document, and communicate product/service solutions to be addressed and the value to be provided to the target customers, market size, competitive landscape, business risk, and the financial and strategic opportunity that the product or service represents for the company.

Portfolio & Business Management

• Develop the business cases for new products and product enhancements.

• Be the product champion and subject matter expert for internal audiences, external customers, and market facing communications.

Product Development & Lifecycle Management

• Translate customer and market needs and technology trends into product requirements and customer use cases.

• Lead the product through all stages of the product lifecycle including product development, product introduction, product growth, and target End-of-Life.

• Work directly with Engineering in the detailed requirement definition and prioritization process. Optimize time-to-market for highest priority features.

Pricing and Commercial Offering

• Develop product pricing and positioning strategies.

• Collaborate with the appropriate product marketing manager by planning and executing the outbound marketing launch of new products and releases with the MARCOM team.

Sales Enablement

• Enable the global sales force through sales support activities, virtual and onsite training sessions, RFP/audit responses, and customer specific requirement definition.

• Effectively communicate complex and/or difficult information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• BS in Physics, Optics or Electrical Engineering, MBA a plus

• 2-4 years' experience in product management, product development, or related field

• Proficient in market/product requirements analysis; ability to map business value to solution roadmaps and product requirements.

• Optical networking or telecommunications product/industry/technical acumen

• A unique blend of business and technical savvy.

• Ability to travel up to 15% when needed.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication skills: written, verbal, listening, interpersonal, and presentation.

• Confidence presenting in front of small to large audiences of business and technology professionals; able to deliver persuasive presentations.

• Exceptional analytical reasoning skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions, balancing intuition with measurable results, analyzing and communicating using data.

• Strong problem solving skills, and willingness to roll up one's sleeves.

• Able to learn, understand, and apply new technologies.