Product Group Manager

Job overview:

Mercedes-Benz Cars is looking for a Product Group Manager working within the Mercedes-Benz Cars Product Management department and reporting to the Head of Product Management.  This role will give the successful candidate the opportunity to work with one of the world’s most admired brands and shape the positioning of several models in our range of exciting, dynamic sector-leading cars. 

Job description:

The Product Group Manager will be responsible for the whole project of introducing new cars and product updates to market.  This includes providing UK-relevant input into future concepts, through the whole lifecycle to then managing effective product run-outs.  They will need to ensure success of the models they are responsible for, both in terms of vehicle sales and profitability.

The role will appeal to an individual who is able to balance different perspectives and effectively influence the best outcome for the business.  They will also know the UK car market, its sales channel makeup and what makes a model successful.  As well as having a high degree of commercial awareness, the Product Group Manager must have the ability to not only construct and champion complex business cases but also successfully deliver them to market.

The role is certainly high-profile and needs a person who is confident when interacting with a wide range of stakeholders from many departments in the UK business as well as maintaining excellent relationships with colleagues at the head office of Daimler AG.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Construct the optimal product offering for the UK market in terms of concept, specification and pricing to deliver targeted sales volume and profitability levels.

• Establish a competitive positioning for the assigned products within their respective sectors that will motivate potential purchasers, and identify the features and benefits of the product that best support this model positioning and the overall position of the brand.

• Monitor market development, competitor activity and performance of Mercedes-Benz models. Based on this insight, conceive, develop and coordinate the implementation of appropriate product actions, as well as providing input into sales campaigns to deliver sales volume and profitability objectives.

• Assume responsibility for defined cross-functional projects or topics, such as Powertrain and Telematics strategy, UK pricing strategy, environmental policy.

• Take responsibility for ensuring that relevant information is communicated to and understood by relevant areas of the business to optimise effectiveness of product launches and run-outs.

• Support the business by actively providing product expertise at relevant high-profile events such as Press launches, Fleet and Retailer events, etc.

• Work with Marketing Communications and Press and PR colleagues/agencies to translate the product positioning into a compelling communications positioning and target audience definition.

• Supervise and manage on a day-to-day basis one full time team member (Product Executive) and occasionally an Intern/Industrial Placement, tasked with supporting the Product Group Manager in all of the above tasks to ensure an optimised result for the Product Group.

Key Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Graduate level intellect, numeracy and communication skills.

• Previous commercial experience in a sales/marketing/field role.

• Comprehensive product knowledge including competitive market.

• Strong customer orientation.

• Advanced presentation skills.

• Ability to influence and negotiate at a senior level.

• Financial acumen and analytical skills.