About this role
Lead, Product Manager (L5)
Reference #38078
Hamilton, Ontario
About the Role
The Lead, Product Manager is responsible for defining the product strategy and roadmap of a physical product line, through the entire lifecycle. This includes active management of the product cost, revenue and market introduction strategy. Based on market research and customer interaction, they will guide the product by focusing on the 'what' and 'why'; identifying market problems, trends, validating business value and setting the product plans. The role collaborates cross‑functionally with Business Development, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Customer Support, and other departments to validate assumptions, define the target market segment, and deliver data‑driven product decisions. The Lead prepares and presents product introduction strategies and statements of work to the organization, participates with Senior Management as part of the Stage‑Gate review approval board, and engages in the marketing, forecasting and financial aspects of the product offering. They provide strategic product consultation to sales staff and customers throughout all product lifecycles, play a key role in capture management and bid strategy, and require frequent international travel.
Primary Responsibilities
• Lead the product strategy and roadmap and participate in planning, delivery, and support of a WESCAM physical product line(s) through the entire product lifecycle.
• Act as a liaison for sales and customer inquiries by triaging and filtering communication to internal stakeholders.
• Accountable for product line profitability; identify and drive changes to maximize contribution margin.
• Define Pricebook product configurations and options including additions, subtractions and movement throughout sections of the Pricebook.
• Approve scope of work, budget, and timeline for recent product introduction (NPI) projects related to their product line; provide project priority inputs given limited resources.
• Generate NPI Project SOW with top level requirements.
• Review and approve budget variance and scope of work changes.
• Consult to help make key decisions to solve difficult product related challenges.
• Develop and manage plans for market introduction and production cut‑in of new products/features.
• Develop and manage plans for SKU rationalization, end‑of‑life, and supersession of current products/features.
• Engage and align stakeholders; communicate product lifecycle plans; adjust based on inputs and changing conditions.
• Provide sales support to BD as needed to capture new business.
• Support major bids by proposing the appropriate product offering and strategy, aligning bid documentation submissions with the overall sales and bid strategy to maximize probability of award.
• Lead discussions on product related topics during internal bid reviews and customer briefings.
• Identify business risks and opportunities, and provide mitigation strategies.
• Approve bids for non‑standard products or that include exceptions from the Pricebook.
• Provide targets for development budgets for bids that require custom development.
• Create white papers to explain and market new features, support export compliance, or respond to customer inquiries.
• Educate Business Development staff on new product features.
• Provide inputs to and approval of marketing collateral.
• Identify need and provide justification to acquire new Demo assets.
Required Capabilities
• Strategic planning to align product line objectives with the overall business strategy, considering market trends, competitive landscape, and long‑term goals.
• Customer focused approach, intent on understanding customer needs and preferences to maximize the product's value proposition and achieve customer satisfaction.
• Strong understanding of business case fundamentals, including cost structures, revenue forecasts, profit margins, and metrics such as ROI and NPV.
• Analytical skills to assess the performance of product strategies and initiatives to make data‑driven decisions using financial metrics, market research, and other relevant data.
• Able to assess and manage risks across a wide spectrum while making product decisions under uncertain conditions.
• Innovation mindset and stays current with trends relevant to the product line.
• Proven track record of overseeing physical product introductions from concept through to successful production launch, utilizing agile development processes.
• Ability to lead and motivate people without a formal management role.
• History of establishing strong relationships with leaders across the organization to get things done.
• Excellent communication skills to conduct product briefings to customers and internal stakeholders.<l