Product Manager I

About Franke

We, the Franke company with its three divisions, are a world's leading supplier of products and services for domestic kitchens, the professional foodservice systems and the convenience store sector as well as for professional coffee making. With around 60 companies, we are at home on five continents. Over 8,000 employees constantly take on new perspectives to identify opportunities and turn them into inspiring, innovative solutions for tomorrow’s demands.

The Franke Foodservice Systems division is a world-leading supplier of kitchen facilities, equipment and supplies solutions. As a full system manufacturer, distributor and program management partner, we supply global chains in the quick-service restaurant, convenience store and supermarket segments, helping to manage unit growth and upgrade their facilities.

About the job

Provide project management and commercial support during all phases of the product life cycle for specific products. The Product Manager is to identify margin enhancement, product harmonization and range simplification opportunities across specific product ranges and brands.

Your tasks

• Manages the product portfolio, including product concept and requirements, positioning and story development, marketing material development, training plan development and price recommendation

• Creates market launch plan and leads the launch process

• With input from the Product Manager II, integrates market insights from market organizations and idea generation

• Launch process and life cycle management for products under portfolio

• Ensure all products are compliant with relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks

• Manages Market Research projects and understands market needs and buying process for own product categories

• Participates in the go-to-market strategy for the US business

• Implements Life cycle management and product phase-out plans for own product portfolio

• Works with Product Manager II and Sales and Operations in the tactical phase-out of products

• Operationally leads trade and end-user marketing in the US (e.g., pricing, performance management, merchandising) for own product portfolio

• Market feedback and performance tracking on products

• Planning of exhibition appearance and definition of focus and products in coordination with Marketing

• Develop product promotion plan and budget

• Manages complexity and product life cycle of portfolio

• Perform market and sales channel analysis for own product categories

• Supporting Sales to build sustainable sales after launch (product marketing initiatives, new campaign development etc.)

• Assist Product Manager II and Sales with product marketing strategy to ensure it is implemented for product categories

• Responsible for product launch preparation (including samples, customer information, sales force training).

• Translating market needs into competitive product requirements, ensuring customer, end-user and market insights are taken into account in product portfolio

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, International Business, or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in Product Management, Product Marketing, or Portfolio Management.
• Experience leading New Product Introduction (NPI) projects and Go-to-Market activities.
• Experience managing the full product lifecycle, including product launch, growth, maintenance, and phase-out.
• Knowledge of Market Research methodologies, competitive analysis, and market trend assessment.
• Experience developing product positioning, pricing, and promotional strategies.
• Ability to translate customer needs and market trends into product requirements.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical skills with experience monitoring business performance, KPIs, and product performance metrics.
• Advanced English proficiency, including business communication, presentations, and collaboration with global teams.
• Willingness to travel as required by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within industrial manufacturing, construction, HVAC, refrigeration, foodservice, or durable goods industries.
• Knowledge of product development processes and Stage-Gate methodology.
• Experience managing multi-category or multi-brand product portfolios.
• Experience planning and executing trade shows, industry exhibitions, and product launch events.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards applicable to industrial products.
• Experience using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Salesforce, SAP, or market intelligence platforms.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and market orientation.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Project management.
• Cross-functional leadership and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

What we offer you

We offer a comprehensive compensation package, including salary, benefits, and career development opportunities.

Contact details

For more information see: www.franke.com

Important information for all executive search companies, headhunters and HR consultants

The Franke Group does not accept unsolicited support from headhunters and personnel consultants for our career opportunities. Any CV/resume vitae submitted to Franke or its employees by external recruitment agencies without a valid written recruitment agreement related to the position in question shall be deemed the sole property of our company. In the event that a candidate presented by an agency is hired in our company and there is no prior agreement, no fee will be paid.