Product Support Specialist

Job Summary:
Assist Product Manager in all phases of new product development from concept through finished product.

• Assist Product Mgr with evaluation of potential new products through sourcing, cost of material analysis and competitive pricing.
• Collaborate with Purchasing Department to coordinate materials sourcing and cost pricing with outside vendors.
• Assist Product Manager and Creative Services Department in the creation of packaging concepts and advertising copy promoting product features.
• Partner with R&D to create clear, concise, accurate and user-friendly instruction sheets.
• Coordinate all functional department participation in manufacturing and packaging of first production run of new products including development of routers, BOM’s, etc.
• Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, and Marketing Departments to update and enhance current products.
• Compile and update product catalogs.
• Investigate and drive resolution of issues involving product performance, quality, installation and manufacturing.
• Monitor Tech Services for product issue trends resulting from customer initiated contact.
• Participate in consumer and race events.

• Minimum one year related experience in automotive aftermarket, high performance industry.
• Associates degree, business, marketing or equivalent with strong mechanical/automotive background and skills, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent communications, customer relations/diplomacy, problem solving, and phone/internet skills.
• PC/software experience and proficiency, MS Office.
• Ability to write routine reports including application of spreadsheet analysis
• Strong attention to detail, good mathematical aptitude.

Product Manager

Job Summary:
Overall management responsibility for product line. This includes managing the delivery of new product development projects on time, within budget and per customer expectations. Additionally, will be responsible for providing accurate project status reports to include financials, driving the use of product design cycle through the business unit, and coordinating large projects with other product managers.

• Manage existing product and develop new products/functionality based on industry experience, research and discussion with customers and prospects; negotiate design trade-offs with Engineering and Manufacturing in the development of product specifications.
• Develop marketing specifications for new products and maintain its accuracy during development as necessary to capture design changes and trade-offs.
• Work with Engineering to define product and release requirements; assure products are developed within budget and meet functional and unit cost specifications.  Escalate/communicate significant deviations to management.
• Definite, develop and implement a go-to-market strategy, product positioning, key benefits and target customers working with all relevant departments to execute.
• Prepare business cases and obtain Management approval for product development proposals.
• Coordinate, drive and manage product launch process, ensure that supporting departments are scheduled to delivery on time (i.e., product literature, service documentation, price lists, installation instructions, packaging, forecast, routers, etc)
• Assess customer and sales input/feedback to identify product enhancements to extend/maximize product life and profitability.
• Execute implementation of custom configurations when business opportunity and potential is determined to be appropriate.
• Support large sales opportunities, communicate with sales to provide necessary support for demos, pricing, technical information, etc.
• Work closely with Marketing Services to ensure products are properly positioned and supported with sales tools, competitive tools, programs, promotion and lead generation activities, and accurate sales collateral (through all market channels).
• Develop and implement methods and procedures for monitoring projects progress including cost analysis, research findings, engineering, design, through purchasing and product launch.
• Develop and manage new programs, products, catalogs and advertising copy in collaboration with Sales and Marketing Services.
• Troubleshoot problem areas involving interaction with sales representatives, customer accounts and internal departments.
• Identify, assess and correct product defects.  Prioritize against other sustaining engineering activities.
• Achieves targeted profit/loss ratio performance for assigned product lines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Experience in product management preferably dealing with high performance automotive or related product lines.
• Proven ability lead a team from definition through product delivery.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, written and oral communications skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Proven track record in turning around, maintaining or increasing product margins/market share.

Educational Requirements to Perform the Duties of the Job:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or Business. 

Other:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Good attendance record, adherence to Company policies and procedures, and satisfactory job performance are required to retain employment.  Must be able to work overtime, either before or after the normal starting times and on weekends. Drug test and background check are mandatory.

TCI® Automotive, founded in 1968, is the leading manufacturer of performance automatic transmissions, torque converters and related components for street, racing, towing, and off-road vehicles. With a track record of nationwide growth and expansion, TCI® provides a stable and challenging workplace environment.

Candidates must be within commuting distance to Ashland, Mississippi or willing to relocate. Applications may be picked up at the TCI® Automotive - North Facility, 151 Industrial Drive, Ashland, MS 38603 or email resume to jobs@tciauto.com with the name of the position that you are applying for in the subject header. No phone calls please.