Professions

Product Manager, from creativity to technical know-how

From the design phase through to marketing, the product manager manages the life of a product. By proposing an innovative offer to make customers more efficient, he consolidates Schneider Electric’s position as leader in Electrical Distribution and Automation and Control.

Total control of a product

To create, develop and launch his products, the product manager proceeds in 3 phases:

Market studies. The product manager examines the needs of his market, analyses competition and follows targeted sectors... He refines his concept by meeting influential customers, attending trade fairs and reading technical documentation. Internally, he consults sales forces and technicians.

Defining the product. The product manager works with the sales and marketing department and design office to prepare the specification sheet and marketing file. He then mobilises the sales forces to generate the most effective market introduction for the product.

Managing the life cycle. The product manager follows his product's performance: the quantity to be produced, sales forecasts, statistics, adjusting production resources, price policy management, etc. He also has to anticipate the product's evolution, so that it can continuously respond better to market needs.
The product manager is a "cybersalesperson": he makes daily use of Internet to communicate about his product, making it known and promoting it, and following evolutions in the market."

A negotiator with a creative personality

Searching, finding, inventing… the product manager has a creative personality. Convinced by the interest and future profitability of his product, he also has to «sell» it internally, persuading his interlocutors that his idea is a good one.

Autonomy

Within the company, the product manager fulfils a transversal role because he has to combine creative, technical and commercial skills. All the departments are familiar to him: R&D, production, purchasing, marketing, sales...
Although he benefits from the autonomy needed to perfect his concept, the product manager must however adhere to the Group strategy, following the orientations defined by the Marketing Department, obtaining results and reporting on his operations.

Career prospects

The product manager begins as an assistant. He can end up as a Group manager (and therefore be responsible for several product managers) or occupy a management position in marketing.

Are you made for this profession?

Education and training

Graduate studies

Fluent English indispensable
Professional experience
Confirmed sales ability. For a position in industry, it is necessary to have both engineering and sales experience.
Qualities required

Creativity, curiosity

Sense of organisation and hierarchy

Knowledge of marketing techniques

Taste for travel

Ability to synthesize

Ability to convince

Ability to build a network of internal and external relations

Discernment and good sense