Main Functions
The Product Manager (PM) is key in driving the ambitious growth planned for the APAC region's Lallemand Baking Solutions (LBS) product portfolio. The PM is responsible for the product range and the interfaces with the relevant teams to ensure proper focus and the implementation of the Annual Product Plan. The Product Plan must reflect the internal priorities per the LBS strategic 5-Year Plan, the external customer requirements, and the key market opportunities, ensuring we focus on those areas that will bring the highest return on sales.
Key Responsibilities and Activities:
1. Executes the Product Plan for their geographical area of responsibility, implementing the required marketing mix (4 Ps), considering the inputs of each relevant area.
2. Responsible for keeping Product Documentation files up-to-date and coordinating with QA and Application.
3. Is the Product Launch Manager, preparing, executing, and overseeing all relevant operational activities related to launching the LBS solutions and their rollout (engaging and motivating sales in this process). Ensures everything meets language, cultural, and legal requirements for the differing markets.
4. In this role, the PM supports the region's Business Director in achieving the region's sales and profit targets in line with the 5-year plan.
5. Collaborates with Sales and Product Development to drive new product concepts to market.
6. Works with the Technical Business development manager on technical aspects in support of new products, new applications, customer meetings, etc., including coordinating bake testing and result presentations.
7. The PM is part of the global marketing platform, providing input and support to global initiatives. Based on market needs assessment, the PM can be the assigned Champion for global innovation projects and/or execute agreed projects from the Innovation pipeline.
8. Is responsible for proposing the LBS Communications Plan for their region. It is also responsible for implementing global communication campaigns in its area.
9. Inform and coordinate regional marketing and communication activities with the Global Marketing & Communication Director.
10. The PM participates in Key Account Teams and/or specific regional activities such as Exhibitions/Customer Events/Innovation Days etc.
11. Identifies the specific regional market trends that can ultimately lead to new product launches or be used as input for the global innovation plan. And monitors market and competition activities.
12. Provides external and internal product training when adequate.
13. Assists the operations and planning group with forecasting orders and stock placement.
14. Manages the local sample process, maintains sample stocks, and runs the sample flow of new to the region/LBS bespoke products, working closely with the Technical Business Development Manager
Key deliverables:
15. Meeting the Financial Budget
16. Product Placement Success
17. Prepares, submits, and agrees on the yearly LBS Product Plan for the defined area in line with the LBS Strategy
18. Manages the Product Portfolio in all its aspects.
19. New Customer Metrics (Time/Cost to bring on)
20. Existing Customer Metrics (Maintain and Grow)
Technical skills
Required
21. Minimum two years experience in B2B marketing and product management
22. Tertiary qualifications in Business, Marketing, and/or Product Management.
An asset
23. Understands the technical area enough to challenge the R&D and application Teams and has a solid commercial mindset - a goal achiever.
24. Background in the baking industry is an advantage.
Personal abilities
Required
25. High degree of self-motivation, goal & solution-driven, with good communication and presentation skills. With an eagerness to learn continuously
26. Pragmatic and hands-on mentality. Working well independently and in a team environment.
An asset
27. Advanced computer skills.
28. Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Additional knowledge of another language is preferable.
29. Like to travel and have an interest in and adopt other cultures
Organization
Lallemand is a privately held Canadian company founded in the late 19th century, which develops, produces, and markets microorganisms for various markets. The administrative offices of the parent company are in Montreal, Canada. Today, Lallemand employs more than 5,000 people working in more than 45 countries on 5 continents.
Lallemand Baking offers a range of superior quality baker's yeast – both fresh and dry varieties – and specialty ingredients to meet bakers' needs across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Baking cultures and dough conditioners round out our impressive product range.
The Lallemand baking team's many branches collaborate closely to provide innovative products and efficient services, backed by a skilled technical support team in each region of operations.
Please take note that accommodations will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.