Consumer Product Professional

Our company:

Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. We employ over 140,000 people around the world, operate 3 technical centers and 178 manufacturing plants and sell products in more than 150 countries. "Serving Society with Superior Quality” has been our mission since Shojiro Ishibashi founded Bridgestone in 1931 and we look for individuals who share our passion to fulfill this mission.

Bridgestone Middle East & Africa (BSMEA) operates from locations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco , Kenya and Ivory Coast. From these locations BSMEA covers 68 markets through 80 partners.

Job Description:

As a product manager you will play a pivotal role in category management, taking end-to-end ownership of product lines, leading new product development initiatives, and effectively managing the entire product lifecycle. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our organization by driving innovation, optimizing product portfolios, and ensuring our products meet the evolving needs of the market.

Responsibilities:

Category Management:

Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with overall business goals. Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends, competitive landscapes, and customer needs.

Product Lifecycle Management:

Take ownership of the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to end-of-life. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, marketing, and sales, to ensure seamless product development and launch. Monitor product performance and make data-driven decisions for product enhancements or discontinuation.

New Product Development:

Lead the ideation and development of new tire products, considering market demands and technological advancements. Work closely with R&D teams to guide product design, features, and specifications. Manage the product launch process, coordinating with marketing and sales for successful market entry.

Market Analysis:

Conduct regular market assessments to identify emerging opportunities and threats. Analyze customer feedback, sales data, and industry trends to refine product strategies. Close follow up about industry regulations, standards, and advancements.

Product Marketing:

Develop and execute comprehensive product marketing strategies to drive product awareness and demand in short and long term. Collaborate with the marketing team to create compelling messaging, positioning, and go-to-market plans. Create a regional product library for all stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or related field. MBA is a plus.
• Proven experience (4 years) in product management within the tire industry or related sectors.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data and make strategic decisions.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Knowledge of tire manufacturing processes, materials, and industry regulations is a plus.

Bridgestone Behaviors:

Qualified candidates need to demonstrate the following behaviors:

• Agility – to work in a matrix, complex and fast paced environment.
• Courage – to share ideas, challenge the status quo.
• Ownership – to see the bigger picture and take ownership by thinking and acting beyond the role (self-starter)

Bridgestone Leadership Essence:

Qualified candidates for this important position will therefore need to demonstrate the following:

• Establishes strategic direction and effectively communicates the vision: Communicates a clear and inspiring vision for the business; drives competitive and innovative strategies and is able to generate alignment against the strategic direction
• Demonstrates business acumen to achieve results through others:  Understands, educates and applies the fundamental business concepts by which a company operates in order to deliver results and create a climate that fosters personal commitment to excellence
• Promotes and enhances company culture:  Champions the organization’s shared values and beliefs
• Effectively manages across cultures: Achieves effective collaboration, alignment, and communication across multiple dimensions of cultural diversity
• Demonstrates self-awareness and emotional intelligence:  Recognizes one’s personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and limits.  Understands emotions and their effects
• Intellectually curious in support of learning agility:  Actively identifies new areas for learning; regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities; uses newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learns through their application
• Embraces and leads change and innovation:  Encourages different and innovative approaches to address problems and opportunities; facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the organization
• Identifies and develops organizational talent:  Attracts high calibre diverse talent , leads and guides others to accomplish organizational goals and objectives through on-going development and collaboration