Product Line Manager

Job Summary

The Product Line Manager is a seasoned professional who has extensive experience marketing and positioning high-value Optical test & measurement solutions at telecommunications service providers.

Highly developed business development, technical and marketing skills are a must as you will be interacting with internal / external business partners, sales and customers and internal marketing and R&D teams.

The Product Line Manager will drive product definition, go-to-market strategy and will have responsibility for the full life cycle management of the product portfolio.

This position requires a person who can demonstrate strong knowledge in a number of telecom technologies. The successful candidate can operate under minimal supervision, is a self-motivated and fast learner and is highly competent in developing and executing strategies to foster new business growth of EXFO’s Optical field test & measurement solutions.

Product Strategy Competencies :

• Innovative, self-motivated, business-oriented, and passionate about creating high value products for customers
• Proven track record as a Product Manager recognizing market opportunities and customer needs - and turning them into successful products
• Develop and manage relationships with internal stakeholder groups (Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Support) to collaboratively plan and operationalize product roadmap.
• Set and communicate clear priorities for the product lines based on strategic objectives, market conditions and customer requirements.
• Business acumen and an entrepreneurial mind-set bringing strong market analysis, pricing and product marketing awareness to bear as part of your product management toolkit
• Developing and evolving the overall product strategy to drive organic growth
• Developing and providing oversight of line of business strategy, technical direction, and marketing aspects of the product portfolio
• Presenting and defending investment proposals to internal executives
• Commercializing products on a global scale
• Pruning the portfolio to maximize margin while minimizing revenue erosion
• Identify relevant product and market trends, new and disruptive market opportunities for newly explored technologies or expanding existing products into new areas.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis and utilize to enhance strategic decisions and action plans.

Technical Requirements

• Strong knowledge in Optical network architecture and associated deployment trends. The candidate should be aware of the business value of testing methodologies and the associated customer methods and procedures.
• Familiarity with test applications and technologies (Optical, FTTx, etc.) and working experience with test & measurement (T&M) tools and methods used in telecom networks.

Profile

• Excellent leadership and communication skills, strong business acumen and collaborative skills with internal / external business partners and customers.
• Experience working with Telecom Operators (Telco, CATV, MNO) and Data Center / Enterprise customers.
• Strong technical capabilities and ability to engage in-depth conversations with customers
• Maturity and comfort level interacting with senior executives both internally and externally
• Excellent communication skills to lead strategy and development of new business pitches and presentations

Competencies

• Self-starter with the ability to communicate and interact with people at all levels, including executive levels, both external and internal to EXFO.
• Autonomous, well organized, and results-oriented.
• Possess leadership qualities and superior interpersonal and communications skills.
• Strong planning, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Strong work ethic and integrity.
• Operates with a high degree of professionalism.
• Effective written and verbal communicator.
• Demonstrates strong judgment and analytical skill.
• Innovative problem solver.

Education : Bachelor's degree or equivalent in an Electronics / Telecom Engineering discipline. MBA is an asset.

Pertinent Experience : Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in product management and / or business development is required.

Language Skills : Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English. Other languages are considered an asset.

Travel Requirements : Willingness and ability to travel globally approximately 20% - 25%