Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager 

The Custom Shop Product Development Manager (the “Manager” and/or “Product Manager”) leads the Gibson Custom Shop product development initiatives, based at the Custom Shop, across the 4F portfolio architecture: foundation, focus, flex, fuel. The Product Development Manager works cross-functionally with Production, Sales, Marketing and ER to develop and deliver on the GTM market strategy; generating product specifications and requirements, production timetables, pricing, gross margins and schedules. Reports to the Head of Product Development.

GIBSON

Gibson Brands, Inc. (“Gibson” or the “company”), the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Orville Gibson founded the company in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships and progressive product evolution that is unrivalled among musical instrument companies.

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE

The Custom Shop Product Development Manager (the “Manager” and/or “Product Manager”) leads the Gibson Custom Shop product development initiatives, based at the Custom Shop, across the 4F portfolio architecture: foundation, focus, flex, fuel. The Product Development Manager works cross-functionally with Production, Sales, Marketing and ER to develop and deliver on the GTM market strategy, generating product specifications and requirements, production timetables, pricing, gross margins and schedules. Reports to the Head of Product Development.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Development:

• Project Management, Product Development, road mapping, integration, launches, and changes throughout implementation (cradle to grave)
• Designs and manages the New Product Introduction calendar
• Leads new Gibson Lab initiatives at the Custom Shop such as the Murphy Lab, Wood Lab and others with a product development lens
• Leverages knowledge of guitars and Gibson guitar history to develop new ideas
• Manages schedules for prototypes and production runs working closely with the scheduling and production team
• Leads the development and communication of new initiatives to internal and external parties
• Attends and supports trade shows, dealer meetings and end user visits as necessary
• Specification sheet creation

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent work experience) required
• Minimum 10 years of high-end guitar product management or production supervision experience
• Knowledge of woods, fillers, finishes, available parts/CNC programs, etc
• Deep knowledge of Gibson history, especially the 50’s and 60’s Gibson Golden Era instruments
• Strong written, presentation, verbal communication and Microsoft Office skills
• Results oriented and focused on business priorities
• Embraces the power of data to support decision-making, logical and critical thinker
• Strong collaboration and facilitation with cross-functional teams
• Has a genuine understanding of brands and their power in the marketplace

Travel

Periodic domestic and international travel to and between the company’s manufacturing and distribution locations, HQ, trade shows, and dealer meetings (approximately 20-30%).

Nota Bene:

The company’s job descriptions are not intended to be a complete detailed account of all expected/anticipated activities. We operate in a fast-moving and competitive global environment and therefore need employees to be flexible.