Global Product Manager

Company Description

Cascade Corporation, founded in 1943, evolved from a modest machine shop to the global leader in the manufacturing of attachments, forks, masts, and related technologies for forklifts and AGVs. We also manufacture a variety of high-quality attachments for the construction industry.

With global headquarters in Portland, Oregon, and over 80 years of expertise, Cascade has developed a significant international presence, employing more than 3,000 people in more than 30 countries. This global reach gives Cascade teams the unique ability to collaborate across continents to meet customer needs anytime, anywhere while providing local service and support.

The Global Product Manager is responsible for the commercial success of regional and global Cascade products. Works to combine the efforts of regional sales, after market support, marketing, production, purchasing, and engineering departments to provide and produce value added products and services that will satisfy customers, grow revenues and increase market share. The Global Product Manager has responsibility for some of the following: fork positioners, side shifters, layer pickers, multiple load handlers, mobile weighing/dimensioning products, large attachments, paper roll clamps, rotators, push-pulls, sliding arm clamps, damage reduction products, accessories, forks and other specialty material handling solutions.

• Support Regional Sales efforts to satisfy our customers and target/support/win new customers
• Ensure the overall success of product performance globally
• Translate product requirements into clear, written documentation
• Serve as a customer advocate for Cascade products
• Ensure the product is developed timely, and incorporates the attributes desired by customers that also generates a strong revenue stream to meet business objectives
• Ensure our market leadership position for products and services
• Conduct market analysis to determine the global needs for improved current/future products and bring them to the market
• Ensure technical and sales literature is customer centric and value-added to support the pre-sale and post-sale activities
• Partner with and support the global sales, production, and engineering staff
• Participate in global product corrective action program to minimize warranty costs and ensure the product is the highest value in the market
• View customer and product situations from multiple viewpoints during the decision making process
• Understand how the various parts of the organization interact both globally and regionally
• Develop a strong understanding of customer needs in order to serve as a valuable resource and partner
• Demonstrate a consistent motivation to achieve excellence as a team
• Monitor customer and market dynamics to keep current on trends and competitive pressures, and proactively share this information to ensure Cascade remains a market leader.

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or engineering, with a strong mechanical aptitude - MBA a plus.
• Ten (10) years of experience in the material handling industry.
• Must understand, apply and communicate mechanical concepts.
• Experience with Cascade product applications.
• Ability to apply project management skills effectively to teams.
• Ability to balance changing demands on resources and priorities.
• Understanding of intellectual property, commercial contracts, NDA’s, and general working knowledge of product liability.
• Requires strong time management, presentation and public speaking skills. Strong communication skills both internally and externally, with the ability to influence outcomes through consensus building. Requires the skills needed to manage competing interests and work successfully with challenging personalities.
• Teamwork and leadership qualities required.
• Extensive domestic and international travel are required; travel can include week days, evenings, and weekend days. Travel ranges from 20% to 30% per year and varies based on project needs and related corporate objectives. Travel time includes international travel, which varies between 50% to 70%.