Manager, Product Planning 4-Door Models

Position overview

Develop strategic and operative recommendations regarding current and future product offering for all
4-door models, under the umbrella of the luxury strategy and attaining higher contribution margins. This includes but is not limited to features, high-level design ideas for all elements of a vehicle, standard and optional equipment, packages where applicable, and pricing for the US market. The Product Manager represents US customer and Porsche Center needs toward Porsche AG in Germany as well as acts as the disseminator of information regarding product and pricing to all relevant Porsche Cars North America departments. Furthermore, this role is responsible for the yearly planning round volume planning, as well as any other ad hoc volume planning requested from PAG or within PCNA.

This role will manage two band 2 employees, Product Specialists, each responsible for handling either the sedan or SUV models. They will support the Manager, 4-door models in all aspects of product management including representation and presentation of the models as necessary.

Roles & responsibilities

Primary responsibilities:

• Lead the yearly Planning Round process in volume determination as well as presentation creation justifying the volume agreed upon by PCNA Executives and CEO.
• Develop PCNA strategy for future 4-door models: Panamera, Taycan, Cayenne, Macan, K1. This includes model policy (including halo models, editions and other derivatives), standard and optional equipment for luxury positioning, pricing and volume scenarios, USP ideas, etc.
• Serve as liaison of Porsche AG (PAG) and PCNA departments to manage the market product requirements for the 4-door models.
• The transition and overlap from combustion engine vehicles to EVs will be critical to the success of PCNA. Analysis and recommendations will be required regarding timing, offerings and volume for both.
• Monitor, evaluate, and benchmark competitive, technical, and technological developments for the US market for Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) strategic product discussions as well as to respond to PAG requests and inquiries as required.
• Analyze statistical data on past sales and trends and blend with knowledge of the US vehicle market to forecast future sales volume and option spend / installation rates.
• Coordinate quality focused efforts to improve Porsche’s products in the form of concept quality, model year improvements and other life cycle measures.
• Participate and present regularly in critical meetings with department heads and C-level executives.
• Evaluate critical issues pragmatically and when necessary, persuade leadership to pivot to help advance a solution.
• Occasional participation in national and/or global product planning meetings, workshops, dealer trainings, press launches as PCNA’s vehicle representative.
• Mentor, coach and handle the HR requirements for two direct reports regarding product planning, tools and systems utilized, liaising with PAG, etc.
• Responsible for the proper usage of, awareness of, and compliance with Information Technology security policies at Porsche Cars North America.
• Seeks to ensure proper retention of electronic documents, business confidential information, and actively demonstrates an understanding of the need to safeguard competitive information in both electronic and non-electronic formats.

Decision Making:

• The Manager, 4-Door Models is the daily interface to PAG product management, marketing planning and related PCNA departments for all inquiries regarding competitive developments and pricing. Information and advice provided by this position factors into world-wide product plans and influences pricing and content of Porsche product offerings. Decisions related to processes that have a direct impact on business units or have a financial consequence will be reviewed and approved by the Senior Manager, Product Management and in many instances also by the Product Planning Committee.

Supervision:

• Minimal: Position manages unusual or highly complex issues as well as two direct reports. Considerable latitude & judgment is required while ensuring alignment with Manager.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelors degree in Marketing, Engineering, Business, or related field required

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of work experience developing and managing successful strategic and operational projects involving contributions from various functions within a corporate environment.
• Work experience within a Porsche entity is required.
• Ability to lead a multi-functional team of subject matter experts and collaboratively gather resources to identify best practices.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills required.
• Experience in the Automotive Industry.
• Advanced experience with standard MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
• German language skills are preferred, but not required.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and assess how to manage the communication flow accordingly.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong analytical and problem solving abilities
• Strong presentation skills in both persuasive story lining as well as presenting to senior management and larger audiences
• Organized and detail oriented with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to multi-task and handle multiple priorities and make decisions independently.
• Automotive and technical knowledge or technical affinity/understanding.
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills - ability to interact with of all levels of a multi-cultural organization.
• Planning and organization - time management skills to meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for up to 2 weeks at a time.
• Proficient working in a multi-cultural environment.

Percentage of required travel: 20-25%

Schedule/Shift:

• At times meetings with Porsche AG will begin at 2:00 or 3:00AM to accommodate all three continents: Europe, Asia and North America.

The salary range for this role is $140,000-$160,000. However, it is important to note that at Porsche, compensation range is dependent on geographic location. Individual salaries within each range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skillset. Porsche reviews compensation regularly and may adjust base salaries to reflect market competitiveness.

In addition to salary, individuals may be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus. Our full suite of benefits includes:

• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick leave
• 401(k) match
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Tuition and certification reimbursement
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability Coverage
• Subsidized gym membership program
• Subsidized Porsche and VW leasing programs

Physical requirements

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to talk, hear, walk, sit, stand, climb stairs on occasion with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to effectively work and complete tasks in an open office/noisy environment.

Porsche is an equal opportunity employer and we take pride in our diversity. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Porsche will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities. Porsche does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, registered domestic partner status, family and medical leave status, military status, criminal conviction history, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

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