Trade Lane Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

Manages the Lane Care product line that includes lane maintenance supplies and equipment. Works with vendors and internal staff to follow the accepted Brunswick methodology. Plans, organizes, and executes Lane Care product lines from concept through the product life cycles including design, testing, product information, technical support, and market trends/competitive analysis. Collaborates with the Product Manager(s) of Center Supplies to support the pinsetter parts business, as required. Assists in the development and execution of sales, marketing plans, and training of the lane care and center supplies parts product lines.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(% increments must be no less than 5%)

% of Time Spent

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

45%

Evaluates current Lane Care product lines and determines which products and services should be offered. This includes product planning, positioning, and messaging that differentiates the products in the market. Coordinates and facilitates all necessary activities on the product development list from product inception to launch and ongoing quality review.  Works with suppliers to ensure consistent quality of incoming products at competitive costs. Investigates new growth opportunities or extensions in product lines. Provides technical and financial justification for product definition and selection.

15%

Manages the product development and introduction process.  This includes Throbot testing of lane conditioners and quantifying all the necessary steps needed to bring the product to market, including but not limited to: samples, testing, focus groups, coordination with R&D, engineering, marketing, and other activities. 

15%

Serves as a spokesperson for the lane care product line in conjunction with sales and marketing communications, trade shows, seminars, videos, and social media. Provides product information and necessary samples for the development of marketing materials such as catalogs, sell sheets, trade shows, collateral materials, website, social media, and videos. 

10%

Coordinates with the Director of Aftermarket/Compliance Manager to products stay up to date with current compliance requirements, including SDS management and other global requirements.

5%

Ensures customer service is up to date on product and/or price changes including but not limited to new products, discontinued products, product modifications and any price changes for product and/or specific customers.

5%

Assists with multi-departmental task teams to assess and solve problems (Corrective Action Team), reviews part changes (ECR Board), and addresses other situations as needed (Excess and Obsolete Team).

5%

Assists in the development and execution of lane maintenance seminars, as needed.

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• Track record of success
• Results oriented
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills; must be able to work well with people in multiple departments and motivate those with whom the candidate has no formal reporting relationship
• Open to feedback and ability to act on developmental areas
• Professional poise and presence
• Troubleshooting and problem resolution
• Documentation and process control
• Energy and passion for bowling
• Strong understanding of the sport of bowling
• Extensive product knowledge in bowling center and lane maintenance
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams and PowerPoint
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
• Teamwork and collaboration-oriented
• Ability to work independently
• Detail oriented
• Personal accountability/ownership mentality
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Expects and wants to work 40+ hours per week

• 5 years of experience in product management
• 5 years of experience in managing projects and financial goals
• 5 years of experience in bowling center operations including extensive knowledge in center maintenance.
• 0-3 years of experience in navigating regulatory compliance (preferred, but not required)
• 0-3 years of experience in the manufacturing environment (preferred, but not required)

Education Level

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering or equivalent industry experience