Product Strategy & Planning Mgr. – Specialist III

Tasks

Inside the Role

The Product Strategy and Planning Manager is responsible for the product lifecycle roadmap and overall strategy from inception to implementation, coordinating different discipline teams and stakeholders through quality gates approval. The position needs to monitor and assure specs, cost, time, quality, and profitability targets are properly met, and the lifecycle is designed to keep competitiveness and legal compliance. The position also manages all aspects of the product’s powertrain, electronic architecture, and technology features, including the preparation for the Quality Gates approvals. Additional areas of responsibility include Powertrain Roadmap alignment, including engines and transmissions, establishing consistency across all products. The work includes the current product, its future generations, and all its key components such as electronic architecture and new tech features, including Safety/ADAS/HMI/Telematics.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

The position offers a starting salary range of $104,000 to $133,000 USD. Pay offered is dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience. Benefits include an annual bonus program, 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as a non-elective company contribution of 3% to 7%, depending on age. Starting at 4 weeks paid vacation, 13+ calendar holidays, 8 weeks paid parental leave, employee assistance program, comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs, onsite fitness (at some locations), tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off, and short-term and long-term disability plans are also included.

What You Drive at DTNA

Plans, monitors, and manages product planning from initiation through the quality gates process.

Works with market data, surveys, and analysis to determine customer priorities and key selling points.

Establishes product performance targets based on VOC, competitor assessments, and future market trends.

Aligns strategy and plans within DTSV and with DTNA partners for consistency and clarity.

Ensures project results meet requirements regarding technical quality, reliability, schedule, and cost.

Monitors performance and recommends schedule changes, cost adjustments, or resource additions.

Identifies market opportunities and associates new product strategies.

Supports related strategic activities such as long-term volumes, pricing positioning, and specs.

Works with all manufacturing facilities and departments, and interfacing departments, for the purpose of analyzing existing structures, methods, systems, and workflows with the objective of streamlining and cost improvement.

Develops new product value propositions and targeted feature sets.

Prepares complexity optimization proposals for the chassis and body options.

Knowledge You Should Bring

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, engineering, business administration, or a related field.

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in product strategy or product management.

Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to execute product development implementation.

Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to operate with minimal guidance.

Business acumen to ensure proper decisions are aligned with company goals.

Customer and user-centric focus aligned with market trends.

Strong ability to lead and influence in a matrix cross-functional organization by collaborating with key stakeholders in sales, engineering, finance, and operations.

Good written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently with initiative and resilience.

Results and detail-oriented.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

MBA.

Automotive experience.

Good technical or mechanical understanding of chassis, engines, bus, and RV systems.

Experience in marketing.

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in or relocate to the following locations: Fort Mill, SC US, Gaffney, SC US, High Point, NC US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office and 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen, and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team toward our envisioned future—building a cleaner, safer, and more efficient tomorrow for all. That is what we are working toward—for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

This position is not open for visa sponsorship or to existing visa holders.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application.

Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check.

Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen.

Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions.

EEO - Disabled/Veterans.

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll-free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD-enabled calls, dial 503-745-2137 or toll-free 866-355-6935.

Qualifications

Please see above for qualification details.