Product Manager – UK/EMEA
Department: Product Management
Reports To: Director of Product Management
Summary
The Product Manager – UK/EMEA is responsible for developing and executing product strategies across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (UK/EMEA) region. This position manages the complete product lifecycle for assigned product lines, identifies new market opportunities, and develops strategies that support profitable growth within the automotive aftermarket.
Working remotely from the United Kingdom, the Product Manager – UK/EMEA serves as the regional product expert and collaborates closely with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Supply Chain, Catalog, and Quality teams to ensure Walker Products delivers competitive, market-driven solutions that meet customer and regional market needs. This role acts as the voice of the UK/EMEA customer while aligning regional business needs with the company's global product strategy.
Responsibilities
-
Develop and execute product strategies for assigned product lines throughout the UK/EMEA region.
- Manage the complete product lifecycle including new product introductions, product enhancements, pricing recommendations, portfolio optimization, and product discontinuations.
- Identify new product opportunities through market research, customer feedback, competitive analysis, and emerging automotive technologies.
- Develop business cases supporting new product development, including sales forecasts, market potential, investment requirements, and profitability analysis.
- Identify product line gaps and recommend expansion opportunities to increase Walker Products' market coverage throughout the UK/EMEA region.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Quality teams throughout the product development process to ensure successful product launches.
- Work closely with Sales Managers, distributors, and key customers to provide product expertise and support strategic sales opportunities.
- Conduct competitive benchmarking and monitor market trends, pricing strategies, customer requirements, and industry developments.
- Analyze sales performance and profitability to identify opportunities for portfolio improvements and product rationalization.
- Coordinate with Catalog and Product Data teams to ensure accurate and timely publication of product information for UK/EMEA customers.
- Support Marketing by developing product positioning, technical content, launch materials, customer presentations, and sales training resources.
- Gather and communicate Voice of the Customer (VOC) information to improve existing products and identify future product opportunities.
- Monitor regional automotive regulations, emissions standards, vehicle technology trends, and aftermarket developments impacting the UK/EMEA market.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, distributors, suppliers, and industry organizations throughout the UK/EMEA region.
- Represent Walker Products at customer meetings, trade shows, technical conferences, and industry events.
- Travel throughout the UK/EMEA region and occasionally to Walker Products headquarters and manufacturing facilities as business needs require.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
-
Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Engineering, Automotive Technology, or a related field required.
-
Minimum of five (5) years of Product Management experience, preferably within the automotive aftermarket.
- Experience managing products across multiple countries within the UK/EMEA region.
- Knowledge of automotive engine management, emissions control, ignition, fuel delivery, sensor products, or related product categories within the global automotive aftermarket.
- Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, product strategy, and portfolio management.
- Demonstrated experience conducting market research, competitive analysis, pricing strategy, and business case development.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams including Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Quality.
- Strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to evaluate sales performance, market opportunities, and product profitability.
- Familiarity with TecDoc, TecAlliance, ACES/PIES, or other automotive catalog management systems is preferred.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
- Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a remote environment while effectively managing multiple priorities.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers, distributors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
- Fluent in English (written and spoken) is required.
