Strategic Product Specialist

Job Summary

The Strategic Product Specialist I is responsible for supporting the management of a product line or multiple product lines, focusing on portfolio strategy and product innovation. The position works closely with the Strategic Product Manager(s) to help identify, evaluate, and implement new product opportunities, driving selected innovation initiatives from conceptualization to market launch. The role requires a high level of cross-departmental collaboration with teams such as research and development, regulatory affairs, sales, marketing, and executive management. Utilize a unique blend of business and technical savvy to support the product management team in shaping the big-picture product vision of the company to increase revenue and accomplish the company goals set forth by executive leadership.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Assist Strategic Product Manager(s) in the following functions and responsibilities
  
  
  
  • Conduct market research into competitive products, emerging technologies, and market share to identify new product opportunities.
  • Seek out, inbound, record, and organize new product concepts and opportunities from various product innovation channels (surgeons, sales teams, academia, external companies, internal team members, etc.).
  • Lead initial evaluations and feasibility projects (pre-development), determining if the idea solves a problem, is commercially viable, and is technically possible.
  • Organize pre-development findings, building a business case to support a go / no-go recommendation on moving a product opportunity into official development.
  • Support official development projects from kick-off to product launch by completing key milestone activities and documents (e.g. strategic product planning, user requirements, usability file), providing product expertise to all team members, and maintaining the voice of the customer (VOC).
  • Maintain a knowledge of the status of all initial evaluation, feasibility, and development projects.
  • Organize and deliver presentations on strategic initiatives to other teams, to include the executive team.
  • Support the regulatory affairs team in product submissions to key regulatory bodies such as the FDA.
  • Plan and organize internal cross-department meetings to accomplish goals of the product line or project.
  
  
  
  
• Use professional verbal and written communication skills to explain technical product information to customers, salespeople, and other employees.
• Build and maintain relationships with key surgeon and industry opinion leaders (KOLs).
• Travel to attend select trade shows, key surgeon meetings, sales meetings, workshops, cadaver labs, and surgeries to support product development initiatives.
• Assist Operational Product Management team with key product launch activities.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of published clinical and internal testing & evidence for all marketing claims in assigned product line(s).
• Support sales activities by maintaining prompt and accurate communication with sales personnel, covering requested surgical cases, and providing product expertise during key surgeon meetings.
• Understand KLS Martin Non-Disclosure Agreements and when to execute them.
• Understand and support Intellectual property initiatives.
• Complete, understand, and follow all required company policy trainings.
• Understand government regulations and company policy on expense activities.
• Submit expenses for reimbursement following the company travel policy.
• Complete Hospital Credentialing where necessary to perform essential duties.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• 0-2 years of experience in a product specialist or equivalent role in the medical device, MedTech, or related healthcare technology industry.
• 4-year college degree required; a focus in Business, Marketing, Engineering is preferred but not required
• Previous experience or demonstrated ability to learn, Salesforce.com, SAP, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Concur, Paycom, iOS iPad & iPhone

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with all levels within an organization.
• Demonstrated problem solving ability.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex concepts and communicate them to personnel of varying technical levels.
• Ability to work in both a team environment and independently.
• Ability to work and accomplish high level goals with minimal supervision.
• Ability to independently prioritize tasks.
• Ability to make informed decisions that comply with company policies and procedures.
• A basic understanding of the following concepts is preferred:
  
  
  
  • FDA regulatory submission pathways
  • Medical device design and development
  • Medical device commercialization
  
  
  
  
• CMF and/or Thoracic anatomy and relevant surgical procedures

Skill Requirements

• Typing/computer keyboard
• Utilize computer software (specified above)
• Retrieve and compile information
• Maintain records/logs
• Verify data and information
• Organize and prioritize information/tasks
• Operate office equipment
• Advanced mathematical concepts (fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages, graphs)
• Verbal communication
• Written communication
• Public speaking/group presentations
• Research, analyze and interpret information
• Investigate, evaluate, recommend action
• Basic mathematical concepts (e.g. add, subtract)
• Abstract mathematical concepts (interpolation, inference, frequency, reliability, formulas, equations, statistics)

Physical Requirements

• Sitting for extended periods
• Standing for extended periods
• Extended periods viewing computer screen
• Walking
• Reading
• Speaking
• Hear/Listen
• Maintain regular, punctual attendance
• Lifting/carrying up to 20 pounds various items
• Lifting/carrying more than 20 pounds various items
• Repetitive Motions
• Pushing/Pulling
• Bending/Stooping
• Reaching/Grasping
• Writing

Hazards

• Normal office environment
• Toxic or caustic chemicals
• Electrical current
• Housekeeping and/or cleaning agents