Job Description:

The Product Development Manager, or PDM, will lead the team in the effort to both define the goals of each project related to the 4ons (Time, Quality, Cost and Volume) as well as enable quick decision making to drive success in meeting those goals. Working with the Business unit leads and Product managers to define a successful product roadmap. This will include ensuring successful goals that both mean business success but also efficiency in development. The PDM will be the leader and decision maker for their projects.

This role will include the creation and finalization of product requirements, coordinating the technical specifications with the Product Development teams, Product Managers, external development partners, vendors and Belkin’s end customers. You will make technical and product decisions, drive innovation, provide technology recommendations, and establish and manage business expectations and timelines with cross functional teams.

This will include fostering strong relationships with supplier bases in Asia and technology teams within top industry partners of assigned disciplines and focused product categories. Visiting vendor factories and forming closer ties with them and aligning their plans with our roadmap. Supplier selection will be an important part of the PDM role.

The PDM team will create project budgets determining what resources and spending will be required to develop a product from concept to production and get alignment with the different teams and approval.

Additional responsibilities will include technical support and oversight of products throughout the development phase, providing analysis and recommendations into key directional decision making.  Focus will be placed on ensuring that the assigned product line(s) is/are recognized as industry leading by customers and end users for value, quality, selection, innovation, features, reliability, and ease of use. The goal being to drive teams to deliver the 4 on’s of Cost, Spec, Time and quality for all NPI’s and transitions.

In addition, you will be responsible for charting and providing technology vision and technology road map for assigned categories/disciplines through strong collaboration with current and prospective industry partners, technology consortiums, vendor partners, and solution providers in order to align Belkin’s product roadmap. This will include fostering strong relationships with supplier bases in Asia and technology teams within top industry partners of assigned disciplines and focused product categories. Additionally includes developing stronger relationships with IC vendors in Asia and having forward knowledge of their roadmap, solutions, and supply chains.

Categories might include audio, gaming power accessories and protection. Device protection including overlays, cases, camera lens covers, AVI/INT connectivity and other desktop solutions.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Working with GPMs in bringing innovative products to life by taking consumer insights and finding the right technology solutions to deliver differentiated products to elevate the Belkin brand, deliver best value, increase market share and drive revenue/profit growth.  
• Lead the review and conclusion of design reviews with the engineering leads to ensure each phase of design is concluded and changes or improvements are made to meet the product requirements.
• Create a product development cost budget (project OPEX budget) including cross functional resource hours, NRE costs, testing costs, marketing costs, tooling, etc. to be approved by the team leads.
• Be the leader when partnering with GPM team to translate Consumer Insights, sales data, regional/specific store needs into Product Requirement Documents/Product Briefs to be executed by the project management team.
• Key decision making when it relates to product requirements, design, quality, cost and other important factors and making decisions based upon the data provided by the different teams. Ultimately avoiding delays by lack of decision making. This may include risk-based decisions to accelerate or combat delays in projects. Asking for leadership help within the team on the bigger decisions to Senior team members or director level.
• Own supplier selection, partnering with GSM to make the best choices that balance the 4 on’s. This will include requirements, cost, schedule and other decision points.
• Determine the industrial design direction with the ID team and align on the best choices of design, cost, user experience.
• Own and ensure smooth project kickoff and execution with the PM and then the cross functional and PMO teams in planning and beyond.
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of Product Requirement Documents for projects with the GPM and Project Management teams.
• Determining product specifications and features of assigned projects when needed to the point where they can be handed off to the Program Management team for planning activities (Request for Quotation, etc.) especially for new technologies, categories, or completely new product types.
• Anticipating technology trends and changes to remain above competitors for assigned categories/disciplines.
• Monitoring IC options for different solutions and supply chain for new and existing products.
• Cultivating close relationships with industry partners, consortiums, manufacturing partners and solution providers to ensure that Belkin stays on top of industry and technology trends, with a specific focus on Asia based companies that are more difficult for the El Segundo (California) Headquarter based teams to cover.
• Anticipating technology trends and changes to remain above competitors for assigned categories/disciplines.
• Seeking new, emerging, and compelling solutions and companies that have the potential to position Belkin as the #1 provider of innovative CE accessories.
• Driving and leading research and development projects into new technology areas and product types. Leading the moves into new categories
• Participating, evangelizing, and applying learnings into new technologies and partnerships from consortium events, trade shows, and industry partner development events of assigned categories
• Be the voice of reason as well as the product champion.
• Accountable for adhering to the organization and department procedures and guidelines, including maintaining a clean and safe work environment.
• Fulfill responsibilities under ISO 9001 and 14001; understand and fully support ISO system.
• Support Company’s Affirmative Action initiatives, providing equal opportunity to employees and candidates.
• Uphold the Company’s affirmative action plan and make good faith efforts to achieve affirmative action goals and timetables.
• Comply with Health and Safety requirements of Belkin.
• Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
• Understand and follow company rules and regulations.
• Perform all other duties as assigned and required.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 3+ years’ experience of product development and creation, preferably in mobile power accessories and/or consumer electronics industry.
• Technological understanding of a variety of areas product development (Examples Device protection including overlays, cases, camera lens covers, USB Power Delivery, Qi Wireless charging, Cables, Power Banks, Thunderbolt, USB-C and other power and connectivity technologies).
• Knowledge of and experience working with vendors in the spaces referenced above throughput Asia including Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and other countries. And be willing to travel when required.
• Experience of creating and managing budgets for projects with reporting and cost management.
• Proven ability to learn new areas/technologies quickly with an active interest in industry directions.
• Proven, excellent communication skills and the ability to forge strong relationships both internally and externally within a company.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Project
• Motivated self-starter with high attention to detail
• Previous experience working in an international organization, preferably with fluency in Mandarin as well as English
• Curious, driven, and respectful
• Bachelor’s Degree with an engineering concentration or equivalent experience preferred

What you’re getting into

We’ve got big collaborative spaces for your big ideas, so bring an open mind and leave your suit in the closet. We all are committed to creating unique and rewarding consumer experiences. Everyone is interested in succeeding – for the team, for themselves and for the business. Cross-functionally and across the company, everyone has common goals and aspires to be their best.

You will learn something new or at least look at things differently every day. There are so many smart and creative people around that you’ll be motivated to pursue the ideal. 

Team spirit is infectious. Belkin is an extremely open workplace, where communication is essential. Not every idea will be accepted, but you’ll be asked for your point of view. Innovation thrives on multiple and varied levels. At Belkin we challenge conventional wisdom and refuse to accept that something cannot be done.

Belkin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer Disability and Veterans. We maintain a drug-free workplace.

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