Associate Product Manager Entry Level Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Description

Associate Product Manager

SUCCESS PROFILE

We're seeking a highly organized and commercially minded Associate Product Manager to support the growth and execution of assigned product categories through product operations, market coordination, sales enablement, and continuous process improvement. The ideal candidate is energized by organizing complex initiatives, improving workflows, and helping transform manual product management activities into scalable, repeatable systems that improve execution across sales channels and customer touchpoints.

This role is highly execution-oriented and suited for someone who enjoys balancing technical products, commercial activities, cross-functional coordination, and operational problem-solving in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

IDEAL TRAITS

Process-oriented operator; naturally organized systems-builder; commercially curious; detail-oriented executor with strong follow-through; proactive problem solver who identifies inefficiencies and builds scalable solutions to improve consistency, responsiveness, and customer experience.

JOB PURPOSE

The Associate Product Manager supports the execution and operational management of assigned product categories across sales, marketing, channel partners, and internal teams. The role focuses heavily on coordinating product-related initiatives, maintaining commercial product infrastructure, supporting product launches and pricing activities, and improving operational processes that support product commercialization.

This position works cross-functionally with Product Management, Sales, Engineering, Marketing, and Distribution partners to help ensure product-related activities are executed consistently, efficiently, and professionally. Over time, the role is expected to develop toward broader product management responsibility and category ownership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS BY PRIORITY

1. New Business Acquisition: Prospect, qualify, and close opportunities across OEMs, integrators, dealers, distributors, and end-users; build a pipeline aligned to territory goals.
2. Application-Focused Solution Selling: Present SCHUNK's value proposition (quality, reliability, productivity gains) through demos and technical talks; reframe price to ROI with measurable outcomes.
3. Specification & Channel Development: Secure SCHUNK specifications on new builds by partnering with machine builders/dealers and system integrators; motivate and enable distribution partners.
4. CRM Discipline & Reporting: Maintain accurate opportunities, visit reports, quotes, and follow-ups in SAP C4C; leverage sales reports to monitor progress and guide annual/strategic planning.
5. Internal Collaboration: Coordinate with Product Managers, Inside Sales, and Marketing; prepare polished proposals and artifacts that reflect SCHUNK's meticulous craft standards.
6. Client Engagement & Travel: Conduct plant visits, product demonstrations, and attend trade shows; maintain a professional cadence and clear next steps after each interaction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS BY PRIORITY

Sales Enablement & Market Support:

Create and maintain product presentations, sales tools, competitive comparisons, training materials, and customer-facing support content. Support sales campaigns, trade shows, demonstrations, and customer engagement activities that strengthen SCHUNK's market presence and commercial effectiveness.

Product Operations & Commercial Execution:

Coordinate and maintain product pricing files, commercial documentation, product data, and sales support materials across multiple channels and customer groups. Support day-to-day product management execution activities while ensuring accuracy, organization, and responsiveness.

Market & Customer Exposure:

Participate in customer visits, distributor meetings, trade shows, and industry events to build market understanding and develop familiarity with customer applications, market needs, and competitive positioning.

Process Improvement & Systems Development:

Identify opportunities to improve repeatability, efficiency, and scalability within product-related workflows. Assist in developing tools, templates, processes, and standardized methods that improve execution quality and reduce administrative burden across pricing, product launches, product communication, and channel support activities.

Product Launch & Lifecycle Support:

Support product introduction, transition, and discontinuation activities through coordination with Product Management, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations teams. Assist in maintaining product information and ensuring alignment across internal systems and external communication.

Cross-Functional Coordination:

Work closely with Product Managers, Sales Teams, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations to support product-related initiatives and ensure alignment across departments. Assist with communication and follow-through on key product and commercial activities.

TIME UTILIZATION EXPECTATIONS

35% Product Operations & Commercial Administration (Execution and Accuracy-Focused)

Support and maintain pricing files, product data, sales tools, documentation, and commercial product infrastructure. Activities include coordinating updates, maintaining organization across multiple product categories and channels, and ensuring consistent execution of product-related operational activities.

25% Process Improvement & Systems Development (Scalability and Efficiency-Focused)

Identify inefficiencies and help develop scalable workflows, templates, tools, and repeatable procedures that improve product management execution. Activities include improving pricing workflows, product communication processes, reporting structures, and administrative coordination methods.

20% Sales Enablement & Product Communication (Commercial Support-Focused)

Support sales and channel partners through development of presentations, product materials, demonstrations, training resources, and customer-facing support content. Assist with product launches, promotions, and market-facing initiatives.

10% Cross-Functional Coordination (Collaboration and Alignment-Focused)

Coordinate with Product Management, Sales, Engineering, Marketing, Operations, and Distribution partners to support execution of product-related initiatives and maintain alignment across departments and systems.

10% Market Exposure & Industry Engagement (Learning and Development-Focused)

Participate in customer visits, trade shows, distributor meetings, and industry events to build technical and commercial understanding of assigned markets, products, and customer applications.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or related field preferred
• 1-5 years of experience in manufacturing, industrial distribution, technical sales support, product coordination, marketing, business operations, or related field
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and detailed workflows
• Process-oriented mindset with interest in improving systems, workflows, and operational efficiency
• Commercially minded with strong attention to detail and ownership mentality
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint required
• Familiarity with ERP, CRM, pricing management, or product data systems preferred
• Interest in industrial manufacturing, automation, machining, or technical products preferred
• Travel up to 10%

BENEFITS

• Medical: Comprehensive plan; employer pays 100% for employees and ~85% for family.
• Dental & Vision: Optional group plans.
• Life & Disability: Company-provided short-term, long-term, and life insurance.
• 401(k): 50% match up to 6%
• PTO: Paid Time Off
• Perks: Company car, laptop, phone

COMPANY CULTURE AND CORE VALUE ALIGNMENT At SCHUNK, our culture is rooted in behaviors that advance our mission: being the technology leader in toolholding, workholding, gripping, and automation. We believe success comes from working with urgency, craftsmanship, and a collaborative mindset. Every team member is expected to demonstrate ownership, accountability, and a commitment to moving projects forward.

Core Values and Operating Principles

Say Yes - Find Solutions

We reframe constraints into options and propose alternatives to keep momentum. "No" stops progress; "Yes" moves us forward.

Move It Forward

Every interaction ends with a clear next step, an owner, and a date. We never leave progress to chance.

Meticulous Craftsmanship

We take pride in the quality of our work-whether it's a proposal, a presentation, or a customer demo. Accuracy and polish matter.

Urgency with Prioritization

We respond quickly to unblock others and prioritize actions that drive impact. Simple requests are answered within one business day.

Intentional and Decisive

We plan with purpose, set clear agendas, and commit to decisions. We remain humble and confident enough to course-correct when new information emerges.

Respectful and Helpful

We foster a culture of respect and support-internally and externally. Collaboration and courtesy are non-negotiable.