Product Manager - Fretted Instruments (Cordoba & Guild)

Yamaha Guitar Group is a leading manufacturer of electric guitar and bass products, consisting of the “Line 6”, “Ampeg”, “Cordoba” & “Guild” brands. We are looking for a Product Manager, Fretted Instruments(Cordoba & Guild) to join the team!

The Product Manager, Fretted Instruments (Cordoba & Guild) will help lead product owners while coordinating with engineering, marketing, sales, and other teams to provide oversight of the product development process. Working with product owners, you will help develop the product requirements and long-term roadmaps, as well as incorporate feedback from customers into the product strategy. The Product Manager is responsible for product promotion and lifecycle oversight, developing a long-term vision and strategy for the products within a given portfolio, and communicating this strategy, along with the results, to all stakeholders.

This position involves significant interaction with cross-functional teams including the executive team, development leads, marketing, product owners, and key customers. This position will administer ongoing product, series, and brand level analysis of sales performance, inventory availability, production schedules, and more, as well as confirm marketing and sales deliverables in tandem with Marketing and Sales leadership.

This is a critical position in a creative, fun, and driven work environment. Yamaha Guitar Group is a small company, so our ideal candidate can work cross-functionally and collaborate to find the best solutions to complex problems. Our company has a unique culture, including game nights, company “jams”, and corporate sustainability and responsibility efforts to constantly improve our impact globally.
This Role will be hybrid based from our Oxnard office.

Essential Job Description:

• Manage and track existing product performance within the Yamaha Guitar Group portfolio throughout lifecycle
• Work with the VP of Products and Director of Products on the creation, execution and stewardship of the Yamaha Guitar Group product plan to achieve long-term strategic objectives and reach revenue and growth goals
• Oversee the Product Development process, in tandem with the Product Owner team, with respect to Guild and Cordoba products, and supervise their efforts on the product development front.
• Assist Product Owners with analysis of the competitive landscape for product improvements, industry innovations, market pricing confirmations, etc.
• In tandem with Director of Product Management, lead the Product Owner team in the development of brand and product level strategies that are consistent with the overall YGG strategy.
• Motivate, educate and train internal team to be product experts.
• Work with internal and external marketing teams to ensure the voice of the customer is incorporated into new products.
• Work with Marketing team in the development of brand equity statements, brand positioning, and brand identity guidelines and more as required.
• Work with Sales and Marketing teams to support ongoing marketing and promotional initiatives that support long-term sales efforts and boost sales as appropriate

Experience/Qualifications
What you Bring to the table

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a product/brand management role in M.I. or related industry
• Extensive M.I. industry experience in guitar-related products; acoustic and electric guitars and basses, amplifiers, effects and accessories.
• Knowledge of Guild, and Cordoba product lines and related technologies a plus
• Combination of strategic and tactical thinker: Ability to see the big picture, while diving into the smallest of details
• Ability to create effective plans and manage multiple tasks while balancing short and long-term goals
• Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse group of individuals across multiple time zones
• Strong negotiating skills and the ability to build consensus across functional boundaries
• Japanese language skills a plus
• Business-savvy
• Familiar with financial planning methodologies and tools
• Experienced in managing all product development lifecycle phases
• Strong analytical thinking
• Excellent communication and writing abilities
• Familiar with MS Office, Jira, Confluence and other office software

Required Qualifications:

What We Bring To The Table

• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Vision, Dental, LTD, Life-Insurance and 401k
• Employee Assistance wellness programs
• Employee product purchase program
• Flexible work options
• Casual dress
• Vacation, sick-time, personal time, volunteer time
• 8 Company Holidays, 2 floating Holidays
• Salary Range is DOE $85,000-$115,000

The posted pay range values provide the candidate with guidance on annual base compensation for the position, exclusive of overtime, and benefits-related compensation, over a range of qualifications that may fit hiring objectives. Yamaha Guitar Group will consider the individual candidate's education, work experience, applicable knowledge, skills and training, among other factors, when preparing an offer of employment.
So if you want to help us define the next generation of music products and instruments, we’d love to hear from you!
EOE STATEMENT

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.