Director of Product Strategy - Commercial

JOB DESCRIPTION
• This leader reports directly to the Executive Director of Product Strategy and Portfolio Planning Consumer/Commercial/NPP and is a key member of the Core Tire Commercial Leadership Team.
• The Director Product Strategy - Commercial functions as a leader, partner and key contributor to ensuring we advance a strong growth and mix-management driven agenda across the Commercial tire business which includes TBR (Truck/Bus), Retread, OTR (Off-the-road), and AG (agricultural)
• Reports for this role include 4 teammates and partnership responsibility BSLA (Latin America) Commercial Product Strategy.
• This leader directly controls the products responsible for over $3.2B in Sales and $1.6B in GP.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Bridgestone Americas family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.Guided by its global corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment 'Our Way to Serve,' Bridgestone embraces its responsibility as a global leader by striving to improve the way people move, live, work and play.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- BSAM Product and Portfolio Strategy
- Lead team in development of Product Strategy and portfolios for Commercial business in order to meet or exceed BSAM financial commitments by focusing on end to end rich mix strategies.
- Lead Commercial team in development of new product roadmaps annually covering the MTP time period with roadmaps reviewed and certified by the Research Development and Product Committee (RDPC) which is chaired by BSAM CEO.
- Lead team in developing BSAM's merchandising portfolio strategy and execution.
- Lead team in gathering input from multiple sources including market research, customer data, Sales Engineering data, ratings/reviews, finance, ATC, etc. to inform target customer segments and new product performance targets for new products. Include defining size line-ups, speed ratings, and other tire performance attributes.
- Lead team in tracking BOSS satisfaction with BSAM products to help inform corrective actions or new product needs.
- Drive clear articulation of value propositions within the Commercial businesses that will feed annual merchandising and marketing plans. These plans will be designed to achieve overall goals of delivering revenue, profit and return on investments/ return on assets
- In general, lead and support all product related opportunities and issues for the Commercial tire business including, support of trade shows, media interviews, national Sales meetings, new product launch events, etc.
- Requires frequent interaction with Business Presidents, Chief Sales Officer, CQO, President of Operations, SVP LSCM, and CEO.
- Lead team in material creation and presentation for all New Product Process (NPP) projects from cradle to grave.
- Partner with Dealer/Customers to understand market dynamics and unique product partnership opportunities.
- Effectively partner with broad cross-functional team including ATC, LSCM, Manufacturing, Legal, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Quality, etc.
- Global Product Leadership
- Represent BSAM in the Global Product Strategy Meetings (GPSM) as a sub-council of the Global Product Strategy Committee which reports to Bridgestone's G-Exco quarterly. In this capacity, will lead, influence and coordinate Product Strategy related to various management issues across BSAM, BSEMIA, BSCAP, and BSJ.
- Help lead the efforts to integrate, borrow, and export best in class ideas for product growth plans to and from other global Bridgestone Regions.
Primary Requirements:
- Significant experience in product development with 12+ years of experience in a corporate environment. Tire Industry experience also preferred.
- Ability to engage, challenge, and collaborate with the most senior levels of the organization up to and including the CEO. Role requires regular interaction with C-suite executives on a global basis.
- Proven track record of success having experience working with major national brands
- Established record of expertise including product development, strategic planning, market and research planning, competitive analysis, portfolio management, and stage/gate innovation processes
- Take charge mentality with a "roll-up-your-sleeves" orientation and serious commitment to accountability and ownership
- This individual must have a high bias for action and commercialization
- The ideal candidate has a demonstrated track record of successfully adapting and assimilating culturally within multiple strategic business units or companies
- This individual will have upward potential / mobility and with appropriate experience, will serve as a potential successor to other leadership positions and other strategic opportunities within Bridgestone globally
- Strategic thinker with the ability to create a vision for role and responsibilities; thrives on ambiguity and can design a clear vision
- Capable of seizing opportunities in emerging markets with demonstrated ability to evaluate, plan, implement and influence change throughout the organization to ensure superior customer results
- Collaborative and dynamic leader and manager, with the ability to reach out and proactively establish connections within an organization; aptitude to work in a matrix organization
- Strong analytical capabilities and able to apply both a "left-brain and right brain" approach to the business
- Excellent track record of achieving tough, demanding goals
- Four-year undergraduate degree in Engineering, Marketing, Business Administration or related field; MBA preferred
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree ; 10+ years of relevant experience including 7+ years management or leadership experienceOr Master's degree; 8+ years of relevant experience including 5-7 years management or leadership experience
Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.