Associate Product Development Manager Jobs in Acworth, GA

Mighty Distributing System of America (MDSA) (Mighty Auto Parts), the quality/service leader in the automotive aftermarket, is a leading automotive parts distributing firm based in Peachtree Corners (Atlanta Metro), Georgia. Our company provides an inviting atmosphere in which to work and our culture and people bring a wealth of experience, talent and enthusiasm to their jobs. MDSA has earned the respect of our industry through our expertise and accolades, such as Atlanta Business Chronicle-Top 25 Franchises award, Entrepreneur Magazine-Top 500 Franchises & America’s Top Franchise Opportunities award and Franchise Business Review-Best Franchise Opportunities award. The most unique element of this winning combination is Mighty's organizational culture that prizes extraordinary personal service over all else; doing whatever it takes to enhance the success of its customer-partners.

General Responsibilities/Job Summary

The Associate Product Manager–Undercar is responsible for the end-to-end management of Mighty’s filtration product programs. This role owns supplier relationships, product lifecycle management, new product introductions (NPI), global sourcing initiatives, quality oversight, and claims resolution.

The role partners closely with internal stakeholders to ensure competitive product coverage, cost optimization, regulatory compliance, and franchisee satisfaction. The Associate Product Manager also supports product communication, training, and continuous improvement initiatives across Mighty’s distributor and franchise network.

Specific Job Responsibilities

Supplier Relationship & Global Sourcing

• Establish and maintain strategic supplier partnerships aligned with Mighty’s quality, cost, and service standards
• Lead supplier negotiations including pricing, contracts, and purchase agreements
• Conduct regular supplier audits focused on manufacturing capability, quality systems, compliance, and risk mitigation
• Identify opportunities for global sourcing to improve cost, availability, and program competitiveness
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Product Engineering on capacity planning, quality improvements, and corrective actions

Product Line Definition & Lifecycle Management

• Own application coverage and lifecycle management for assigned filtration product lines
• Identify OE and aftermarket application gaps and lead New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives
• Evaluate portfolio performance using sales, margin, coverage, and claim data
• Partner with Marketing on packaging, labeling, and product positioning initiatives
• Manage part number introductions, transitions, and obsolescence planning

Quality & Claims Management

• Support development and execution of quality control procedures within Mighty’s distribution network
• Monitor filtration-related claims and failure trends
• Assist Mighty’s Applications & Quality Engineer in supplier claim resolution
• Recommend product or supplier changes based on quality performance and field data

Franchisee Support & Enablement

• Serve as a subject-matter expert for filtration products across the Mighty system
• Communicate product updates, changes, and technical information to distributors and franchisees
• Support product training through in-person visits, digital tools, and Mighty Sales & Operations Schools
• Gather franchisee feedback to inform product improvements and future program decisions

Educational Requirements

College degree

Experience Level Clarification

3–5+ years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, product management, category management, sourcing, or supplier-facing roles.

Technical & Professional Skills 

• Strong analytical skills; experience working with sales, margin, and claims data
• Proficiency in Excel, Power Point, Word and planning and tracking systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across suppliers, internal teams, and timelines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences
• Comfortable working in a hybrid, cross-functional, and supplier-facing environment

Working Conditions

Daily office hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday with occasional weekend responsibilities. After completion of onboarding period, hybrid work schedule is permissible with manager approval. Both domestic and international travel are required. Individual must be able to obtain a passport and have a valid driver’s license.

Benefits:

• MDSA offers a competitive compensation and benefits program including: Medical plan, Dental/Vision plan, Life Insurance, Disability plan and 401K plan

“Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with this job.  While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and assign other duties as necessary.”

“We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.”