Title: Director, Product Line Strategy
Director, Product Line Strategy
<Role>
The Product Line Strategy Director consolidates product road maps from all Product Line Directors and anchor with respective product governance within the Isuzu Group making sure that our business needs are in the product portfolio.
Seek business opportunities by market research on how to improve volume and profitability and visualize by driving the volume plan process within Isuzu Group.
Drive to develop R&D budget portfolio anchoring with Technology by balancing both needs and limitations with efficiency and affordability.
Manage branding strategy on product offers by utilizing Isuzu Group Brand Guideline and executing to all stakeholders.
<Key Responsibilities>
- Responsible for gathering all market offer plans from each Product Line Directors and support them to develop positive business cases. Ensure investments and business case are affordable and deliverable by involving Technology.
- Submission of Market Cycle Changes (MCC) to Isuzu Group following timelines and process together with the Product Line Directors.
- Coordinate and facilitate all product strategy meetings with stakeholders such as markets, technology, operations and purchasing.
- Research and visualize volume / profitability opportunity by POF view and align with responsible Product Line Directors.
- Leading Total Market Forecast (TMF) / Long Term Volume Forecast (LTVF) process for UD (aligning with Isuzu Group process).
- Support documentation and submission to ELT or higher-level forums related to SPLM responsible areas.
- Managing brand distinction for the Brand Distinction and Aftermarket Tool (BDAT) in all product lines including existing products.
- Initiate and lead projects related to new business opportunities.
<Authority>
- Follow UD Trucks authorization policies and guidelines
- Ability to work with and through networks and guide them
<Key interfaces>
- Isuzu Group-related functions (Product Strategy, Corporate Strategy, R&D, Sales)
- UD Executive Leadership Team
- UD Trucks Sales organization (Japan Sales & International)
- UD Trucks Digital Solutions & IT
- UD Trucks Operations
- UD Trucks Technology
- UD Trucks Purchasing
- UD Trucks Logistics
- Business Control organization
<Key performance indicators>
- Submission of MCC on time reflecting all market requirements in the portfolio
- All departments aligned with product strategies and volume opportunities submitted by SPLM
- On time initiation of projects and successful implementation
<Main competence requirements>
- Business related university degree preferred.
- Experience in the commercial vehicle industry and work experience in truck business areas especially in Sales and Product Planning. Good understanding of products, services, customers, and competitor landscape in the truck industry.
- Proven capability working with stakeholders on high value strategic projects.
- Strong commitment and drive to take initiatives, improve, and deliver. Structured and systematic way of working. Flexible, open-minded and fast learner.
- Ability to work with strategic mindset and take ownership with multitask.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- English and Japanese fluency at a business level is required.
- Uphold the UD Trucks Values, Code of Conduct and high ethical standards.
About UD Trucks
Part of the Isuzu group, UD Trucks is a global leading international commercial vehicle solutions provider headquartered in Japan. At UD Trucks, we are defining the next generation of smart logistics solutions through advanced innovations in automation, electro mobility and connectivity. UD Trucks develops, manufactures and sells a wide range of heavy, medium and light-duty trucks, operating in more than 60 countries across all continents. Our trucks and people go the extra mile for our customers and business partners, day in and day out.
We are an 8,000+ strong team of colleagues with 40 nationalities who bring diversity and passion in delivering our products and services. We trust each other, work collaboratively and embrace change. At UD Trucks, our purpose is Better Life – to make life better for people and the planet. We have developed a culture that promotes:
Diverse and friendly culture – Strong culture of diversity and inclusion, organizing annual events, daily activities and open communication platforms including various internal voluntary networks.
Empowered growth – Global exposure and growth opportunities across functions and countries through internal mobility system and self-driven career opportunities, building a learning organization by enabling self-managed learning supported by the UD Academy.
Flexibility with trust – We continue to fully support both remote working (where and when applicable) and flexible working hours, we actively encourage our colleagues to maintain a good work/life balance. You will have the autonomy and flexibility to split your working time between both our wonderful, modern and equipped HQ and remotely.
Be part of our journey to create Better Life for society, for our customers and for yourself. UD Trucks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues.