Product Manager (Project Management)

Lead a portfolio of software as a service (SaaS) products serving the freight rail industry. Provide direction on product strategy and new feature enhancement. Work collaboratively with peers to grow the industry value delivered by Railinc.

REPORTS TO: VP, AAR Product Management  

Job Accountability/Responsibilities:

 Essential Functions – Project Management and Maintenance Prioritization: 

• Manage customer stakeholder groups with clear communication and a focus on serving the rail industry.
• Manage the prioritization of user stories, features, new products, projects, and process improvements.
• Deliver projects for assigned products in partnership with IT development managers.
• Understand product risks, develop mitigation strategies and ensure high quality releases.

 Essential Functions – Portfolio Strategic Planning/Road-Mapping:

• Understand all aspects of the product(s) in the portfolio, including how products deliver value to our customers and what business processes they support.
• Work with customers and internal stakeholders to define and deliver new industry value through new products, product line extensions, productivity gains and cost savings.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Define and secure investment for annual industry projects.
• Lead annual industry project execution in collaboration with IT development managers.
• Set goals and strategies that align with Railinc's mission and vision.
• Analyze product investment to allocate budget and resources.
• Develop and manage a team of business analysts that support the portfolio.

 Essential Functions – P&L Responsibilities:

• Deliver annual budgeted revenue and profit targets.
• Budget and forecast product revenue and expenses.
• Explain actual revenue variances to budget & forecast.
• Identify and implement near-term and long-term cost reduction opportunities.
• Partner with IT development project managers to manage project budgets and ensure value delivery.
• Make pricing decisions in accordance with Railinc's annual pricing drivers.

 Key Measures: 

• Customer satisfaction at targeted levels
• Revenue and expenses at budgeted levels
• Annual project investment at or above target levels
• Effective collaboration
• Employee development and performance management

Non-Essential Functions: 

• Direct customer communication
• Customer/Account management
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned

  

Knowledge, Skills, abilities/minimum requirements/competencies:

Required:

• Technical knowledge of software development and related technologies
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to relate at all levels and prioritize team/company goals over personal goals when appropriate.
• Analytical emphasis with ROI development skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and creative approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to manage multiple activities in a deadline-oriented environment; highly organized and flexible.

 Preferred:

• Experience product manager with demonstrated leadership examples.
• Knowledge of rail industry or transportation/logistics.
• Experience delivering market analysis.
• Experience managing people and within cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of software development lifecycle / management.

Education, experience, certification/training:

 Required:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration/related field (or equivalent related work experience).

 Preferred:

• MBA
• AGILE/SCRUM experience and/or certified
• Product or project management certifications

 Values: 

• Results: We deliver on our promises to create value for the freight rail industry through talented people, good ideas, business leadership and great technology.
• Collaboration: We collaborate with our teams and our customers to get the job done, respecting individual ideas and contributions, and moving forward in pursuit of shared goals.
• Service: We serve the changing needs of our customers and our industry to enhance the value they bring to our community, the environment, and our economy.

Physical Requirements:

•  Sedentary work: Assignment involves sitting at workstation (desk) most of the time (up to 8 hours) with only occasional walking and/or standing.
• Keyboarding: Primarily using fingers for typing.
• Talking: Expressing or communicating verbally through use of spoken words (accurately conveying detailed or important spoken instructions to others).
• Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations in sound.
• Visual: Through close visual acuity, required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading (with or without correction).
• Environment: Work is performed within an office setting and therefore there is no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions (i.e., extreme heat, cold, noise, etc.).
• Travel: Required across North America (10% – 20%).

 

Disclaimer: 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  The company reserves the right to change, modify and/or delete aspects of this position as needed at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minorities/Veterans/Disabilities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

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