Product Line Specialist

Phase 1 Requirement:

Develop an understanding of the North American fishing tackle market.

Fisheries

•         Develop knowledge of the size and share of the market of each major fishery which includes:

•         Bass and other freshwater species

•         Saltwater species

•         Fly fishing

•         General use

•         Within each major fishery, determine the most influential sub-markets along with size and share. Gain the following knowledge of product ranges for each major fishery:

•         Key products

•         Size and share of various products and product categories

•         Size and share by price

•         Size and share by competitor

•         Determine past and present “trends” in each major fishery and how each fishery transitioned over the last 5 years.

Competitive Landscape

•         Continuously obtain an understanding of the competitive landscape. Conduct competitive assessments.

•         Develop core competencies in competitors’ product performance.   Gain thorough knowledge of products by learning what are they good at and why.

•         Determine their market approach/strategy.

-          Research markets they do/do not touch

•         Understand key market strengths/weaknesses.

•         Study competitors’ history and future.

•         Determine market share by category.

Business Operations

•         Learn and embody team Shimano’s Mission and Philosophies

•         Understand how and why we do business the way we do

•         Gain significant knowledge of how the fishing market operates at the trade level

•         Learn distribution model, customer types and ranges

•         Substantial study of various internal teams at Shimano American

•         Determine sales structure

•         Understand pricing/terms/commissions, etc.

Time allocation during training period

Office: 45%

-          Learn SMN business process and KPI

-          Build reports

-          Know SMN team/resources

-          Interdepartmental immersion

Retailer visits/work: 30%

-          First hand consumer experience/requirements

-          Learn value of different retailers in the marketplace

-          Study how retailers sell and consumers buy

Fishing: 25%

-          Substantial understanding of SMN performance and competitor performance

-          Develop a vision for how SMN can innovate with our capabilities

Phase 2 Requirements: Overseas Assignment

•         Reports to Shimano Japan Fishing Division planning senior manager

•         Learn total Team Shimano product planning process

-          Total immersion into Shimano’s design/development process

-          Broaden understanding of development and manufacturing

-          Study pre-planning, market segmentation and lifecycle management

-          Create product proposals

-          Maintain year product plans

-          Represent the OVS markets in planning decisions and strategy

-          Lead various projects as assigned

Phase 3 Requirements: Return to Shimano North America as Product Line Manager

•         Apply experience to review/improve the product management process

•         Total product line management responsibilities

Job Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge and passion for fishing and associated products.
• 1-3 years? experience in market research or product line planning
• Requires general business skills, industry knowledge, financial management and planning skills.
• Possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy.
• Demonstrate market intelligence in the fish arena to assist and guide Sales, Promotions, Service and Supply Chain in the continued growth.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management in an organized and professional manner. Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to utilize judgment in decision making process and decisions related to job tasks
• Excellent customer service skills. Must establish credibility and build positive and professional relationships with customers.
• Ability to work with teams. Effectively establish and maintain working relationship with all levels within the company, internally, externally and cross culturally.
• Project and time management skills. Must have the ability to prioritize and complete tasks.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem solving skills. Significant data gathering/analysis/reporting
• Must be reliable and resourceful.
• Extensive travel. Must be willing to travel extensively.
• Overseas assignment.
• Basic understanding of the Japanese language or willingness to learn
• Proficient experience in Window?s based programs, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams and Access). Familiarity with the Internet and Web based applications and familiarity with database marketing (profiles, models, reporting, etc.) required.