Product Manager

Job Description

The Product Manager - Automation, Electrical & Instrumentation will drive the global strategy, standardization, and growth for automation, electrical, and instrumentation solutions. This role focuses on developing global standards, SOPs, and best practices. Reporting to the Global Head of Products, Automation, this position combines product leadership, sales enablement, and business growth responsibilities. The Product Manager will collaborate with regional sales, engineering, and service teams to streamline global opportunities, enhance portfolio competitiveness, and support strategic commercial initiatives within a global matrix organization. Role & responsibilities Strategic Growth & Business Development Lead and grow the Global Product Group (Automation Solutions for F&B) with a strong focus on strategic sales, commercial expansion, and service development. Define and implement the Global Product Group Strategy and Mid-Term Plan (MTP), ensuring alignment with business objectives and market trends. Explore new business opportunities, solutions, and markets, expanding beyond the current installed base. Collect and analyze customer insights, market research, and competitive intelligence to refine sales approaches, regional strategies, and portfolio development. Drive R&D roadmaps, product standardization, and resource pool development to enhance automation, electrical, and instrumentation solutions. Promote a structured and data-driven approach to commercial and technical decision-making. Standardization & Compliance Develop and implement global electrical, automation, and instrumentation standards to ensure uniformity and efficiency. Establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for electrical design, control systems, and instrumentation. Ensure compliance with international and regional standards, including CE, UL, CSA, IEC, IEEE, and NEC. Define best practices for certification, testing, and validation of automation and electrical systems. Collaborate with engineering, regulatory bodies, and certification agencies to ensure products meet compliance requirements. Sales Enablement & Market Alignment Support regional sales teams with technical expertise, sales tools, and value propositions to drive successful commercial negotiations. Determine pricing policies and strategies to assist regional sales managers in negotiations with key customers and stakeholders. Provide sales organizations with structured methodologies for customer engagement, market positioning, and competitive differentiation. Work with audit engineers and sales teams to define project scopes aligned with customer requirements. Support bid preparation, proposal development, and product presentations to key customers. Cross-functional Leadership & Execution Ensure seamless collaboration between regions, product groups, and F&B divisions to provide integrated solutions for customers. Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives across regions and ensure alignment on best practices. Work with engineering teams to integrate electrical and automation solutions into broader plant control systems. Align with procurement and supply chain teams to optimize component selection and supplier strategies while ensuring compliance with CE, UL, CSA, and other certification requirements. Provide strong growth and change leadership within a global matrix organization, motivating and aligning teams towards common goals. Collaborate with Regional Directors/VPs in managing regional teams (indirectly) to drive sales and deliver product solutions. TECHNICAL SKILLS (knowledge) Expertise in electrical, automation, and instrumentation systems within process industries (preferably feed and biofuel). Deep understanding of CE, UL, CSA, IEC, IEEE, NEC, and other international electrical and automation standards. Proven experience in developing and implementing global standards, SOPs, and compliance frameworks. Strong knowledge of SCADA, PLCs, industrial networking, and digitalization trends. Experience in product management, strategic planning, and global commercial leadership. Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L, OI, Gross Margin, and EBITA within a product scope. Familiarity with CRM systems, technical proposal development, and sales enablement. Ability to navigate a global matrix organization, driving collaboration between sales, engineering, and service teams. Fluent in English (mandatory); additional language skills are a plus