Assoc. Director Product Management Reference Labs - Corporate Accounts at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc in Westbrook, Maine

Job Description:

Associate Director Product Management Reference Labs - Corporate Accounts
Responsible for product management and strategic direction of Global Reference Lab Products and Services that accelerate adoption and increase loyalty for Corporate Accounts customers. Develop and implement a Reference Lab roadmap of products and services that address unique CA needs, differentiate offerings and position the business for profitable growth.

- Provide dedicated support to commercial marketing and CA teams in customizing Reference Lab programs, pricing, service offerings and contract negotiations
- Integrate customer needs and market trends to recommend pricing strategies. Research competitor products and maintain competitive comparisons and evaluations. Gather insights to shape the direction of products and services.
- Support communications with Corporate Account C-Suite and practice-level customers to gain feedback on user product experiences and opportunities. Ensure correct features are identified, taking into account customers, sales, finance, related lines of business and others. Prioritize and negotiate to build best possible set of features to be included and developed in the new products and services.
- Manage projects to develop and improve products and services, coordinating internal resources as well as customer input to ensure diagnostic tests and services are validated, delivered on schedule and positioned for commercial success.
- Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Master's degree preferred.
- Influencing skills to gain commitment and support for decisions and motivate the organization to support the priorities and new products and services.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Strong/advanced presentation skills; ability to present and explain product information to all audiences
- Strong Leadership and decision-making skills.
- Typically, 10+ years relevant industry experience including product experience.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide dedicated support to commercial marketing and CA teams in customizing Reference Lab programs, pricing, service offerings and contract negotiations
- Define and recommend strategic direction for worldwide Reference Lab product lines with Corporate Accounts consistent with overall LOB strategy, IDEXX mission and CAG direction.
- Provide dedicated support for Global Corporate Accounts in customizing Reference Lab programs, pricing, service offerings and contract negotiations
- Assist/define/establish/achieve all financial and other objectives for the product lines.
- Assist/responsible for long-term strategy, annual revenue and operating performance, customer loyalty, and development of a product management team.
- Develop and implement products and features to maximize IDEXX's return from targeted markets.
- Identify specific Corporate Account customer needs and market trends and recommend/responsible for pricing strategies. Research competitor products and maintain competitive comparisons and evaluations. Gather insights to shape the direction of the product.
- Assist/develop product profiles, competitive analysis, presentations, demos, white papers, and product updates for organizational marketing materials.
- Assist/develop/coordinate new idea reviews and recommendations, concept and design development, project management, and market introduction.
- Assist/develop/implement market segmentation strategy with marketing managers to clearly define customer's current requirements and their future needs.
- Recommend/responsible for financial pricing and strategies of assigned product areas.
- Define target markets and segmentation and clarify product commercial potential.
- Prepare/present reports and other information summarizing work activities. Prepare/present various analyses as needed to highlight issues and resolve questions.
- Coordinate with marketing, engineering, research and development, sales, finance and others to manage projects and ensure overall product success.
- Communicate with Corporate Accounts C-Suite and practice-level customers to gain feedback on user product experiences and opportunities. Ensure correct features are identified, taking into account customers, sales, finance, related lines of business and others. Prioritize and negotiate to build best possible set of features to be included and developed in the new products.
- Promote/train product advantages and benefits to IDEXX employees, key vendors and others.
- Manage projects to develop and improve products, coordinating internal resources as well as customer input to ensure products are completed and delivered on schedule and are positioned for commercial success.
- Plan/lead/execute product development activities and projects through all phases. Create project plans, determine project teams, gather necessary resources and implement projects. Manage projects, report on progress and ensure successful conclusions.
- Develop/maintain knowledge of Company products and services as well as changes and developments in the industry affecting work activities. May participate in outside industry groups and forums related to business activities.
- May mentor, train and coach others.
- May manage staff, assign work, monitor activities, evaluate performance and manage escalated/critical issues. Administer employment actions, provide coaching and guidance to staff and promote staff training and development. Support the development and management of department policies and procedures.
- May be responsible for budget setting, monitoring and control.

EDUCATION:
- Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Master's degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- General knowledge/experience with healthcare/diagnostic technologies
- General knowledge of marketing and product management, including product development, segmentation/targeting, product positioning/pricing and forecasting/promotion, progressing to expert level knowledge of product management practices and tools at the senior levels within this job family
- Prior experience with or ability to demonstrate understanding of both a highly structured waterfall development project as well as a more dynamic agile development project. Familiarity with toolsets used in both methods.
- Solid reasoning and analytical skills to resolve issues and perform prioritization exercises
- Solid financial management and analysis skills
- Basic project management skills and abilities, with ability to lead cross-functional teams in a matrix environment and progressing to the ability to manage highly complex product sets and organizational decisions at the senior levels within this job family
- Ability to lead small, focused teams progressing to the recognized ability to lead, energize and mentor larger, more complex teams and programs
- Organized, with ability to manage and prioritize several projects at once
- Drive, initiative and creativity progressing to recognized thought-leadership at the most senior level of this job family
- Influencing skills to gain commitment and support for decisions and motivate the organization to support the product line
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Strong/advanced presentation skills; ability to present and explain product information to all audiences
- Proven management and leadership skills as applicable
- Strong personal computer skills, including Microsoft Office

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Extensive sitting, phone and computer use
- Some travel required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- General office environment or light laboratory/industrial, with some areas to assemble equipment decontaminate potential biohazards and bench repair instruments.
- Normal office noise level.

IDEXX is an EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled Veteran employer