Senior Product Manager

Responsibilities Own the product strategy, portfolio roadmap and lifecycle plans for assigned automotive product categories, including brake pads and rotors, filters, steering systems, mountings and bushings. Translate market trends, customer needs, competitor developments and regulatory changes into clear product priorities, specifications and commercial opportunities. Develop and present business cases for new products, product upgrades, localisation, supplier changes and end-of-life decisions, including demand, pricing, margin, investment, risk and return considerations. Lead product feasibility studies, concept reviews, design reviews and technical validation from initial requirement through production launch and post-launch evaluation. Set product requirements and acceptance criteria, and approve specifications, technical drawings, material selections, test plans and engineering changes before production. Establish and govern the product development roadmap, milestones, priorities and decision gates, ensuring that projects meet agreed timelines, quality standards, cost targets and business objectives. Work closely with Sales, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Operations to convert customer requirements into commercially viable and technically compliant products. Engage key customers, distributors and suppliers on technical requirements, product positioning, performance issues, improvement opportunities and long-term product plans. Evaluate supplier capabilities, quotations, samples and technical proposals, and support supplier selection, negotiation and development from a product and commercial perspective. Monitor product performance, quality trends, and customer feedback; initiate corrective actions or product improvements where required. Drive value engineering, standardisation and cost-optimisation initiatives while protecting product performance, safety, quality and customer requirements. Ensure products comply with applicable automotive, safety, environmental and market-specific regulations and standards, and maintain the necessary technical and approval records. Maintain disciplined product configuration and change control, including specifications, drawings, bills of materials, revision history, validation evidence and end-of-life documentation. Identify and manage portfolio risks such as obsolete technologies, supply disruption, single-source dependency, quality exposure and regulatory non-compliance, with appropriate mitigation plans. Provide senior-level recommendations to Management on portfolio investment, product rationalisation, pricing, resource priorities and strategic partnerships. Coach Product Managers and Product Engineers and promote consistent product-management practices. Any other reports/duties assigned by the Management. Qualifications Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Management, or a relevant discipline. At least 8-10 years of relevant experience in product management, product engineering or product development within the automotive or related manufacturing industry, including at least 3 years in a senior or team-lead capacity. Strong knowledge of automotive products, manufacturing processes, technical drawings, product validation and industry-specific regulations and standards. Demonstrated experience managing a product portfolio and leading products from business case and specification through development, launch, improvement and end-of-life. Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional projects, manage competing priorities and influence senior stakeholders, customers and suppliers. Strong analytical, problem-solving and negotiation skills. Able to work independently, exercise sound judgement and make recommendations where information may be incomplete, or priorities may conflict.