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About the company:
For 30 years, Jerr-Dan has redefined the towing industry. Today, they are a leading manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment based in Hagerstown, MD and offer a full line of light, medium, and heavy-duty carriers and wreckers, industrial transporters and four-car carriers. “Run Hard” is a phrase that well describes the Jerr-Dan product line. Engineered for durability and reliability, Jerr-Dan vehicles can take whatever a customer wants to dish out. Jerr-Dan’s history is similar to that of many companies who have successfully survived the transition from a single entrepreneur ownership structure to a large corporation. A private equity firm acquired Jerr-Dan in 1999 and held them 5 years (as planned) before Oshkosh acquired them in 2004.
About the opportunity:
The Product Director (referred to internally as the “Product Parent”) will have primary responsibilities to develop and execute product planning for Jerr-Dan. Key metrics to measure success will include market share and product profitability. Another key to success will be to effectively communicate and develop a positive working relationship with all other company employees and Team members. The Product Director will report directly to the Senior Vice President at Jerr-Dan and becomes part of the Senior Management Team which includes:
- Director of Sales
- Director of Engineering
- Marketing Manager
- Customer Support Manager
- Manager – Field Forecasting
Duties, Responsibilities & Growth Opportunities
Essential duties and responsibilities include:
- Be The Product Development Champion
- Participate in the development of advertising materials to promote Jerr-Dan products
- Travel with field sales to visit Jerr-Dan dealers and customers, as required to keep “in touch” with the marketplace and to communicate Jerr-Dan product strategies as required
The requirements for potential candidates to fill the role of Product Director will include the ability to eventually step up to the role of Senior Vice President. As always, succession is never automatic, it is earned. The Senior Vice President position is not expected to be available in the near future; however, the ability to perform successfully in this Product Director role as and a desire to expand responsibilities could lead to career growth opportunities in other Oshkosh companies as well.
Desired Qualifications:
- Product Marketing Experience - including experience analyzing product positioning, customer expectations and competitive comparisons and successfully developing & implementing short-term and long-term productplans
- Successful Project Management Style – the ability to systematically manage multiple projects is essential
- Mechanical Aptitude – successful candidates will have a solid understanding of engineered products
- Bachelors Degree is Required – MBA considered a major plus, but not required
- Supervising Skills – although this position does not have direct reports initially, ideal candidates will already have this experience
- Promotability – Jerr-Dan seeks candidates who have both the desire and capability to assume roles of even greater responsibility
- Relocation to Hagerstown, Maryland Required
