PURPOSE

 

The Product Manager is responsible for ensuring customer needs can be met effectively, ethically and profitably with the specified product portfolio “the Focus Products” in line with the company’s objectives. Success in this role requires the development of in depth knowledge of the products and their associated operative techniques to an expert level and the ability to use this knowledge to communicate persuasively with customers, and thus train the sales team to be able to sell the products effectively. The Knee Product Manager must function effectively as a member of the Marketing Team and maintain good productive working relationships with UK and International Sales Management, Innovation and Learning, Customer Services, Operations and relevant third party Suppliers.

 

ROLE SPECIFICATION

 

• Use clinical and product expertise to develop and monitor company business plans for the Focus Products ensuring corporate financial objectives for the portfolios are achieved.
• Provide high level of support to the sales channel by utilising learned specialist and technical expertise to formulate strong sales & marketing arguments for the Focus Products.
• Use clinical expertise that has been developed through observation and key opinion leader or reference centre collaboration to deliver structured product training programmes across all sales channels and support functions.
• Using market knowledge and customer contact network collaborate with the UK Sales Management team on development of business growth opportunities for the Focus Products.
• Work closely with the International Business Manager and our Distributors and Sales Agents to develop opportunities for Focus Products in our international markets.
• Using knowledge of customer needs work closely with the new product development (NPD) team to identify and lead in developing new product opportunities and enhancements/changes to existing products.
• In conjunction with the line manager, use knowledge of customer needs and market potential to identify distribution and OEM/OBL opportunities for development and expansion of the product portfolio.
• Support and deliver the Focus product training internally and externally.
• Support graphic designer and digital marketing specialist for technical and clinical content of marketing event, campaign and collateral.
• Project lead marketing exhibitions and the Focus product campaign.   
• Work effectively with NPD team, Operations and Customer Services to plan and implement product launch programmes and product phase-outs.
• In conjunction with the line manager, identify and implement suitable clinical, nursing and ancillary training programmes to support the sales of the focus products.
• Utilise product expertise and market knowledge to develop creative ideas, approaches and insights for the development and implementation of marketing communication plans for the Focus Products.
• Co-ordinate, collate and analyse post market surveillance on the product portfolio to deliver compelling clinical arguments to the market and make submissions when required, to ODEP, NICE or other relevant bodies.
• Measuring and monitoring the product or service’s performance as well as presenting product related client, market, and competitive intelligence to the product manager.
• Assist in development and proposal of overall product strategies, innovation, presentation of marketplace outcome projections, as well as product culture development.
• Produce relevant standard product presentation, operative technique and selling guides for product management purpose.
• Co-ordinate, collate and analyse post market surveillance, i.e. NJR on the product portfolio to deliver compelling clinical arguments to the market and make submissions when required, to ODEP, NICE or other relevant bodies.
• Support graphic designer and digital marketing specialist for technical and clinical content of marketing event, campaign and collateral.
• Support and deliver the structured product training programmes across all sales channels and support functions.

 

 Reporting Lines

• The Knee Product Manager will report directly to the Head of Marketing.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

 

• 5 years’ experience in a sales and/or marketing role either specifically including knee replacement as a significant proportion of the role, or was the sole focus
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (ideally in Engineering, Marketing, Science or Health care qualification)
• Works effectively with others to develop integrated plans and manage change.
• Recognises and capitalises on opportunities
• Communicates clearly, with confidence and projects credibility
• Builds wide and effective networks of contacts inside and outside the organisation
• Gains clear agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating
• Able to assimilate and confidently communicate complex orthopaedic principles and techniques to provide appropriate advice and instruction on the use of the Company’s products to customers and staff
• Possesses a good knowledge of marketing principles and applies this to understanding and meeting customer needs effectively
• Can effectively gather data form multiple sources (such as NJR and sales data), analyse, develop strategy and tactical implementation from.
• Expose new strategic and tactical opportunities from analysis of market, accounts and sales data.
• Be able to effectively present that data driven strategy to management to direct company investment, direction and activity.
• Be able to implement tactical actions from data to support growth of individual accounts and sales regions.
• Demonstrates a willingness to update and enhance both clinical and marketing knowledge on a continuous basis through self-directed learning.

If this sounds like the opportunity that you are looking for, then please send us your CV and cover letter to
HR@jri-ltd.co.uk.

ROLE SPECIFICATION

• To manage the Customer Services Team to provide exceptional customer service and deliver to the agreed KPI’s.
• Deliver and continually develop the sales and operations production planning processes.
• Ensure production is sensibly planned, engage with production team to optimise manufacturing lead time to ensure availability of product to meet customer requirements.
• Provide strong leadership and implement strategies to improve the company’s key metrics with respect to lead time reduction, supplier management, material cost reduction and improved quality.
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure they meet performance metrics, provide performance feedback and provide sales forecasts.
• Engage in the negotiation of supply agreements with specific suppliers resulting in an implementation plan, cost models and a documented agreement. Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures to underpin key supplier relationships.
• Participate in the coordination of engineering changes, product line extensions, or new product launches to ensure orderly and timely transitions in material or production flow.
• Ensure we accurately despatch all customer requirements communicating all relevant information to our customers and Sales Teams as appropriate.
• Manage all finished goods inventory held both on and off site to optimum levels, providing accurate information for financial reporting including accurate transaction recording, invoicing, product traceability and inventory records.
• Develop competencies and processes required to create an effective and efficient Customer Services Team.

ABOUT YOU

• Fully conversant with using an ERP system to schedule raw materials and plan production, ideally a Microsoft Dynamics AX user.
• Proven success in a purchasing role, ideally gained within the medical devices industry.