General Manager, Product Strategy and Market Development

Inside the Role

We create and deliver on the blueprint for the future, hand-in-hand with our colleagues, customers and partners. – We are Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit. We power performance.
The GM of Product Strategy and Market Development is responsible for the short- and long-term development of DTNA’s product portfolio, as well as the go-to-market activities including product sales training, product marketing, brand communications, digital sales tools, SpecPro ordering system, and the CHEC Tool vocational upfit interface. The team is directly responsible for the HD and MD truck platform strategy, powertrain strategy and safety system strategy. The team represents the Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit Brands. Additionally, the team is responsible for the overall portfolio view and prioritization, including our product transformation to zero emissions, connectivity, and autonomous. Our commitment to visionary products & brands, co-creating with customers and being a great place to work remains at the center of what we do.
The ideal candidate embraces and drives collaboration across the organization and globally, understands that our success is tied to our customer and dealer success, and possesses a proven leadership competency that instills trust, confidence and influences the vision of the department and company.
Successful execution of the role will require a candidate that is passionate about delivering excellent results, celebrates success and learns from failure. The candidate should be able to see the big picture, set and accomplish short and long-term goals, establish priorities, direct resources strategically, and objectively evaluate outcomes.
This leader has a proven record for fostering a culture of coaching, empowerment, employee development, decision-making, teamwork and belonging. This leader develops high performing teams and strong leaders. This leader has proven that they are self-driven and work with little direction.
The person in this position relentlessly pursues innovation and continuous improvement to create a work environment that is inspiring, supportive and able to adapt quickly to change.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience 

Benefits include annual variable pay bonus program; company paid company vehicle with insurance and fuel card; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; non-qualified deferred compensation plan with company contribution of 7% of variable pay;  starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ holidays per calendar year; Paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive health care plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance program; volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans. 

What You Drive at DTNA 

• Leads the Product Strategy Team:  Leads the long-term platform product roadmap with alignment across the organization for DTNA’s Class 8 On-Highway Market, and Class 6-7 Vocational/Medium Duty Market.  This includes responsibility for annual and on-going product prioritization and management of product funding and FPL (Future Project List) in conjunction with TBB, FCCC, ZTG, CSG, ATG, TT and TE.  Responsible for holistic product roadmap combining all product strategy teams across DTNA.  Team is responsible to lead product definition and feasibility analysis for the implementation of product improvements and new product designs within the organization, including summary of market positioning, competitive analysis, sales forecast, project scope, business case, development and test plans and supply chain logistics.
• Leads the Medium Duty and Vocational Segment Strategy and Market development Team:  Responsible for prioritizing and including customer inputs for our product development, pricing inputs,and spec’ing strategies.  Responsible for go-to-market activities including product training, product marketing, product/feature launch activities.  Responsible for development and market-support activities for the CHEC Tool.
• Leads the Heavy Duty On-Highway and Powertrain Segment Strategy and Market Development Team: Responsible for prioritizing and including customer inputs for our product development, pricing inputs, and spec’ing strategies.  Responsible for go-to-market activities including product training, product marketing, product/feature launch activities.  Responsible for the go-to-market activities across our powertrain portfolio and technology suite.
• Leads the Brand Communications, Marketing Operations and Digital Sales Tool Team:  Responsible for Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit Brand Communication, merchandise, social media and overall strategy.  Responsible for the websites and digital sales tool platforms.  Responsible for the software development and operations of SpecPro New Truck Spec’ing tool.  Responsible for the Marketing Operations Team including customer and dealer event management, plant tours, and tradeshows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years or more related experience
• Strong product aptitude
• Direct experience with customers and dealers
• See the holistic picture and make difficult decision based on often conflicting factors like funding, market impact, resources, global collaboration, etc.
• Strong negotiating, delegating and communication skills
• Excels at building strong leaders and teams
• Excellent executive presence on stage and in board room
• 50% travel required

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- 

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

U.S. Visa sponsorship available if you qualify under the following:

• Hold a valid existing Visa (L1A, L1B, L2, TN, H1B, H4 EAD, OPT EAD, CPT)
• Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa
• Those eligible for a TN Visa (Canadian or Mexican National working in an Engineering, Accounting or Scientific Technologist capacity with an aligning degree)
• Those eligible for an L-1 (inter-company) Daimler Truck visa under the Corporate Blanket L-1 program would require at least one-year of qualifying experience in the last three years

Additional Information

• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.