At Fort Wayne Metals, we specialize in producing top-quality wires, cables, and assemblies designed to enhance and safeguard lives. Our products are used in everything from our customers' stents and surgical robots to aircraft and automobiles. At our essence, we are thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers, leveraging our knowledge of materials to create customized solutions for our customers.

Join us in our dedication to making a tangible impact through our advanced materials and superior products.

The Associate Product Manager will work with the Product Management team to assess for market viability and product opportunities while matching opportunities with FWM global market strategy, products, capabilities and pricing strategies. They will train internally and externally in technical applications and materials and develop relationships with customers in order to provide solutions that support the growth of the organization in assigned product areas.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Technical field, Business Management, International Business, Bio-Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Marketing; or equivalent demonstrated skills and abilities, required.
• Experience with wire processing, metals / alloys, and value-added manufacturing activities (within FWM these are shape setting technologies, grinding, EDM, laser ablation, laser welding, coatings, crimping, swaging, and assembly processes).

Job Responsibilities

• Support the Product Manager and management team to manage the Product(s) life cycle to maximize sales revenue, market share, and profit margins. This includes market research and analysis of current conditions along with internal capabilities, product features, competitor information, and customer feedback.
• Work with internal teams (R&D, Engineering) to develop superior and differentiated products to deliver unique benefits to create value and meet customer and market requirements.
• Develop & evaluate opportunities for new products or customers where there is a compelling business case. Ensure opportunities are in alignment with FWM strategy and value created for FWM or present to management for evaluation.
• Document Opportunities in the customer resource management (CRM) system or on the Opportunity Dashboard along with participation in monthly sales and production planning process.
• Research and analyze current internal capabilities, market conditions, product features, competitor information, and customer feedback to identify and recommend developmental projects based on customer needs, FWM market strategy and value created for FWM.
• Determine new applications for existing products and new products for uncovered applications in order to penetrate assigned market segments.
• Execute tactical plans as approved by manager; monitor development schedules, track milestones, and provide status reports.
• Identify global market trends that could affect sales, profitability, and growth, report findings to the Product Manager.
• Travel for face-to-face visits with domestic and international current and potential customers. Ensure visit reports are filed summarizing activities and noting all actions required by persons within the FWM organization.
• Build strong relationships with customers and follow-up with customers, to ensure their satisfaction.
• Support Quality Team, as requested, to resolve any corrective action concerns around quality of product by communicating with customer.
• Educate a worldwide workforce and customer base about FWM capabilities, materials, applications, and products; create training materials and share knowledge.
• Conduct technology, capability and product updates for internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend domestic and international trade shows, educational opportunities and customer-oriented conferences, as requested by Product Manager.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Skills Needed

• Ability to build relationships with individuals with all levels and experiences of people.
• Mechanical aptitude to learn the technical aspect of processing FWM products and capabilities.
• Strong marketing and communication skills.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and be capable of self-checking for completeness and accuracy of work produced.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to communicate highly technical information.
• Able to read and interpret prints and specifications.
• Negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Fast paced office in a production environment.
• Domestic and international travel required, approximately 25%-35% of time.
• Must be able to access all areas of operation, including second floors, to interact with production teams and Engineering.
• Occasional lifting and bending required.
• Significant amounts of time spent sitting at a desk.

Benefits & Wellness Resources

The health and wellbeing of Fort Wayne Metals is a critical part of our culture. In addition to offering medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options to suit your needs, we'd like to share some of the other fundamental resources that make Fort Wayne Metals a premier place to work:

Physical Wellness

• Parkview Wellness Coach
  • Ready to assist with your physical and nutritional wellness needs.
• Gym Facilities
  • 4 onsite gym locations as well as discounts for regional gym facilities
• Health Challenges
  • From pickleball tournaments, sponsored races and sports leagues, to participating in the YMCA's Corporate Challenge, we have a variety of fun ways to stay active.

Mental Wellness

• When You Need to Talk
  • 5 sessions of counseling are available to you and all members of your immediate household at no cost.
• Relaxing Time-Off
  • Qualify for Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay on your first day of employment.

Social Wellness

•  Epic Events
  • From TinCaps Night to family days at the zoo, we offer multiple activities throughout the year for employees and their families.
• Employee Resource Group
  • A voluntary, employee-led group formed to bring employees together and centered around a common interest or identity.

Professional Wellness

• Grow Your Career
  • We offer many opportunities to continue your development and growth.
• Performance Feedback
  • Receive regular and constructive feedback from your manager and peers to help you grow and improve.

Financial Wellness

• Annual Profit Sharing & 401k matching
  • Dropping dollars into your 401k. When you contribute 7%, we'll contribute 3.5%.
• Quarterly Bonus
  • When we perform well, everyone benefits! Receive discretionary bonuses each quarter based on company performance.
• Tuition Reimbursement
  • Getting your first degree? Great! Whatever your major, we'll help pick up the tab!
• Your Money Line
  • Employer-provided 1:1 financial guidance, education, & tools – so you can stress less about money and enjoy greater stability & confidence.