At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in driving product growth and managing new and existing products.
- Company: Join Crane Building Services, a leader in engineered flow control solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for travel.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on inclusion and diversity.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience; strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking an Assistant Product Manager to assist the Product Management team in driving profitable growth for the General Valve, Malleable Fittings, Variable Flow, Connected Solutions and NABIC product portfolios through the effective management of proposed new products, and existing products to support the strategic and operational objectives of the business. This will involve the creation, implementation and monitoring of product strategies and plans in order to achieve sales and profit targets.
The main duties of the Assistant Product Manager are to support product management in 3 key areas of the business, namely, New Product Introduction using the Crane NPD process, management of existing product ranges and value engineering opportunities for existing products.
New Product IntroductionThe Assistant Product Manager will be, or shall become, totally familiar with the NPD Process and will be expected to:
- Coordinate cross functional teams to drive forward multiple NPD projects.
- Organise and support cost, resource, risks, issues, quality, scope etc.
- Manage new products through the Product Change Request process.
- Maintain and execute action plans and drive cadence reviews to track ongoing performance and ensure project deadlines are achieved.
- Track progress through relevant systems/applications and regularly communicate and provide project updates to ensure visibility of project performance, budgets, schedules, and risk.
- Work closely and develop relationships with all departments to drive and assist with all aspects of New Product development.
- Work collaboratively with departments to collect data and create draft data sheets and IOMs.
- Produce project plans and launch plans liaising with the Marketing Communications department for each project and ensure that all Technical, Sales, and support literature is in place to launch the product successfully.
- Leverage Technical Query (FAQ) data as part of NPD ideation input.
- Help assist with the preparation of Capital Expenditure Requests.
- Assist the Product Manager with the Business Model definition for a new product launch.
The Assistant Product Manager will support with the existing product range strategies and plans to deliver planned market share/volume/margin expectations and will be expected to:
- Monitor and analyse product range performance against sales and SP% targets to identify variances and propose corrective actions and help implement those.
- Research and analysis of sales, market trends and competitors using intelligence to identify differentiation opportunities and amend plans accordingly to increase competitiveness and market share.
- Assist with the development, analysis and reporting of VOC activities and data collection as requested.
- Understand market drivers, unique selling points (USP’s), positioning and differentiation for new and existing products.
- Conduct win/loss analysis to identify threats and opportunities to feed into the Sales and Product strategy.
- Own the Product Change Request (PCR) and Special Product Enquiry (SPE) processes for existing product modifications, ensuring product structure, manufacturing routings, costs and prices are accurate in ERP.
- Develop and implement pricing strategy and tactics to maximize GP%.
- Develop, communicate and manage a long term product roadmap and product lifecycles.
- Use market reports and financial analysis to update market trends and growth rates to support annual Strategic and Operating plans.
- Propose and support the implementation of product strategies to grow market share and/or margin to meet business objectives.
- Work with the Product Management team to maintain price lists and price updates for all customers/distributors.
- Update all products, part codes and pricing information to enable smooth order processing and project quotations.
- Support pricing analysis for business reviews and reports.
Assist and liaise with Internal Sales and Supply Chain to manage project orders and SIOP. To assist in the preparation of annual Strategic and Operating Plans. To provide training and education of personnel in all details of the relevant product range, including national and international travel. Drive own improvements and special projects delivering tangible results in a timely manner.
Qualifications/experience:- Ideally educated to degree level in a technical and/or business management subject, however relevant experience is highly valued.
- Good Excel and data analysis skills.
- 1-2 years Product Management experience.
- A sound commercial awareness, particularly as regards prices and margins.
- Experience within the water or HVAC industry, ideally with a manufacturing business, would be an advantage.
- Project management skills and experience.
- Experience of presenting to audiences.
- Uses initiative to fulfil role requirements and proactively address improvement opportunities.
- Positive approach to team working with excellent interpersonal skills that engage all stakeholders.
- Positive, proactive and pragmatic approach to problem solving.
- Resilient with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude.
- An inquisitive mind with an interest in data.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Good attention to detail.
- A passion for learning and self-development.
- Innovative and proactive to promote the required changes to the business.
Crane Building Services and Utilities (BS&U) is part of the Fluid Handling Division of Crane Co. founded in 1855, which is a global, multi-industry, New York Stock Exchange quoted company. We design, manufacture, package and market engineered flow control solutions for the HVAC and Utility sectors, with strong sales into key growth export markets.
The name Crane speaks of who we are, what we stand for and how our customers perceive us: A company with history and tradition, but also a company that is innovative, quality minded and one which acts with integrity and still holds to the resolution of its founder.
Crane Co. was founded on 4th July 1855 by Richard Teller Crane who made the following resolution: "I am resolved to conduct my business in the strictest honesty and fairness; to avoid all deception and trickery; to deal fairly with both customers and competitors; to be liberal and just towards employees; and to put my whole mind upon the business." The essence of this resolution is the business policy of Crane Co. today.
We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity is key to our success and as such we are seeking applications from candidates who will contribute their different backgrounds, cultures and experiences to our business.
Assistant Product Manager in Ipswich employer: Crane Company
As a leading Crane Company in the United Kingdom, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer extensive training opportunities and support for career growth, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in your role as an Applications Engineer. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and teamwork while enjoying the benefits of working in a vibrant industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Product Manager in Ipswich
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Crane Company!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Crane Company would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Crane Company through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Product Manager in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Assistant Product Manager, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Assistant Product Manager position at Crane Company. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crane Company
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
