North America Category Product Manager

The North America Category Product Manager (CPM) is responsible for driving the upstream and downstream end-to-end Product Management of one or more products (e.g., lens coatings, designs (pediatric, young, adult, mature), materials, and treatments) category(ies) in North America, with responsibilities spanning Category Management, NPI Execution and Product Category Growth & Performance. This role involves understanding market trends, customer needs, competitive landscapes, and business objectives, while working on the product category(ies) strategy, support the development & maintenance of lens product roadmaps, product implementation and life cycle management. The CPM will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure product success, profitability, and alignment with overall business goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Product Category Management

   Product Category Strategy & Vision:

• Define and articulate the vision and strategic direction for the product category, aligning with company objectives.

• Supports and communicate clear product goals and roadmap to ensure all teams are aligned on priorities.

• Collaborate with leadership to ensure the product category supports broader business goals.

Market & Customer Research:

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify customer needs, emerging trends, and potential growth opportunities.

• Engage with customers and key opinion leaders directly through surveys, interviews, & focus groups to understand pain points and gather feedback.

• Analyze market data and customer feedback to continuously refine product strategies and improve product offers.

Roadmap Development & Maintenance:

• Develop and maintain product positioning, tiering, naming conventions, and value propositions aligned to the North America market & channel needs; identify gaps and support the development of product management documentation, workflows & standard operating procedures.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive product category roadmap, balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.

• Prioritize product features and enhancements based on business impact, customer & key opinion leaders' feedback, and technical feasibility.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution of the roadmap and adjust priorities as necessary.

1. NPI & Lifecycle Execution

   Design Review Process:

• Collaborate with global product category and engineering teams to ensure product concepts meet user needs and are feasible to implement.

• Contributes to the product review process, ensuring that all products are aligned with the product strategy and customer requirements.

• Provide constructive feedback on product concepts, ensuring user experience principles are adhered to.

Product R&D, Industrialization, and Commercialization Phases:

• Manage the complete product lifecycle, including portfolio strategy, new product introduction, enhancements, discontinuations, and rationalization initiatives.

• Oversee North America product setup, validation, and launch readiness, serving as the primary product liaison with supply chain, lab network, and key channel partners.

• Act as the primary liaison with HOYA manufacturing, HOLT / HMHU / HOLA / HLCA labs, commercial stakeholders (including Global Key Accounts), and third-party partners.

• Participate in the development of the product from conceptualization/ideation through the commercialization phase, ensuring all necessary steps are followed for successful product launch and life cycle.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., customer support, IT, Operations, Revenue Management, Supply Chain) to ensure product scalability, cost efficiency, and quality standards are met.

• Ensure smooth transitions from development to production while maintaining alignment with the original product vision.

Stakeholder Management & Communication:

• Maintain clear and consistent communication with stakeholders, ensuring alignment on goals, timelines, and expectations.

• Provide regular updates on product progress, key milestones, and any adjustments to the roadmap.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful product development and delivery.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate cross-functioning to plan and execute product launches & discontinuations, ensuring clear communication, alignment on implementation plans and adherence to timelines; partner closely with Global Marketing to define requirements, specifications, and performance targets.

• Partner with NA Marketing to ensure consistent branding, messaging, and launch materials across product categories.

• Work closely with sales, marketing, revenue management, and customer support teams to ensure the product meets customer expectations and achieves business goals.

• Provide support for product launches, promotional campaigns, and sales enablement tools to drive category growth.

• Maintain effective communication with stakeholders, ensuring alignment and transparency on product initiatives.

Customer Focus:

• Integrate the voice of the customer by gathering feedback, conducting surveys, and engaging with users to understand their needs and pain points.

• Ensure that products within the category provide value to customers and enhance their experience.

1. Product Category Growth & Performance

   Competitive Analysis:

• Provide HOYA and competitive product expertise, technical guidance, and strategic recommendations to key accounts, commercial teams, and internal stakeholders.

• Continuously monitor and analyze competitor products, market positioning, and pricing strategies.

• Identify competitive gaps and areas for differentiation to keep the product category ahead of market trends.

• Leverage insights from competitive analysis to influence product features and go-to-market strategies.

Performance Tracking and Optimization:

• Monitor product utilization, customer impact, and category performance through key performance indicators, forecasting, business case development, and competitive analysis.

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for product success and track product performance post-launch.

• Use analytics tools to monitor product adoption, customer satisfaction, and business performance.

• Collaborate with teams to continuously optimize product features, improve user experience, and maximize product value.

Budget & P&L Management:

• Participate in annual budgeting, P&L discussions, and purchasing reviews to ensure alignment between product strategy and financial plans.

• Support the category management team's budget and financial performance, ensuring products meet profitability targets and deliver ROI.

• Work with finance teams to forecast and track revenue, costs, and margins for the category.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. Be able to use gathered information and analysis to negotiate best available commercial program (for HOYA) with customers.

Efficiencies and Timeliness - Effectively completes requested tasks from management and corporate office in a timely manner.

Product Proficiencies - Proficient with products and technologies amongst Hoya Vision Care's key branded products which include H OYA, VISION EASE, PENTAX, Lens Choice, and SEIKO.

Business Acumen - Must thoroughly understand basic P&L statements and balance sheets. Need basic understanding of "break-even" analysis and ability to develop and manipulate spreadsheets.

Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict professionally by not blaming others; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Written Communication - Demonstrate the ability to produce well written customer & executive facing documents & presentations.

Judgment - Displays willingness and ability to make thorough business decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Makes timely decisions.

Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree in a relevant discipline is a plus.

• 5+ years of product management experience, preferably in optical category management or within a similar industry; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Understanding of product development processes and lifecycle management.

• Solid understanding of market research techniques and competitive analysis.

• Familiarity with financial and budgeting processes.

• Prefer to be on-site at HOYA Vision Care Lewisville, TX Corporate Headquarters.

• Optical industry and laboratory experience highly preferred.

• Second language highly preferred.

Not Exclusive: The duties outlined in this document are not limited to what is presented and are not exclusive. You may be asked from time to time to perform additional duties by your supervisor.