Product Strategy & Planning Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy & Planning Manager Company: Daimler Truck AG Location: High Point, NC US; Gaffney, SC US Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Strategy & Operations Date Posted: December 08, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearheads the entire product lifecycle roadmap and overarching strategy, guiding products from conception through successful implementation.
• Manages critical product aspects including powertrain, electronic architecture, and advanced technology features, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and market demands.
• Drives cross-functional collaboration across engineering, sales, finance, and operations teams to achieve project milestones and performance targets.
• Focuses on maintaining product competitiveness, legal compliance, and profitability through rigorous monitoring of specifications, cost, time, and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Strategy & Planning Manager," the description heavily emphasizes operational execution, cross-functional coordination, and meeting tangible targets (specs, cost, time, quality, profitability). This indicates a strong operational component, making it relevant for professionals with a background in GTM operations, product operations, or those who bridge strategy and execution within a product context. The emphasis on "Quality Gates" and "lifecycle management" also points to a structured, process-driven approach common in operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develops and executes comprehensive product lifecycle roadmaps, managing the product from inception to successful implementation and post-launch analysis.
• Leads the "Quality Gates" approval process, ensuring all cross-functional teams and stakeholders meet defined criteria at each stage of product development.
• Defines and monitors product performance targets by analyzing Voice of Customer (VOC), competitive assessments, and future market trends to inform strategic decision-making.
• Manages product-specific aspects, including powertrain (engines, transmissions), electronic architecture, and technology features (Safety/ADAS/HMI/Telematics), ensuring consistency and alignment across the product portfolio.
• Collaborates with manufacturing facilities and other departments to analyze existing structures, methods, systems, and workflows, identifying opportunities for streamlining and cost improvement.
• Develops compelling new product value propositions and targeted feature sets that resonate with the target market and drive adoption.
• Prepares complexity optimization proposals for chassis and body options, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce operational overhead.
• Supports strategic initiatives such as long-term volume planning, pricing positioning, and specification definition to ensure market competitiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product definition and operational oversight. The emphasis on "analyzing existing structures, methods, systems, and workflows with the objective of streamlining and cost improvement" is a direct operational responsibility. The management of "specifications, cost, time, quality, and profitability targets" and "Quality Gates" further underscores the operational rigor required.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Engineering, Business Administration, or a closely related field. An MBA is considered exceptional.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Product Strategy or Product Management roles.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to successfully execute product development and implementation projects.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to operate with minimal guidance, identify complex issues, and develop effective solutions.
• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business principles to ensure decisions align with company goals and market dynamics.
• Customer & Market Focus: Deep understanding of customer needs, market trends, and competitive landscapes to drive product innovation.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead and influence diverse teams in a matrixed organization, collaborating effectively with sales, engineering, finance, and operations.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities for clear articulation of strategies, plans, and results.
• Results Orientation: A meticulous, detail-oriented approach with a strong drive to achieve defined outcomes.
• Initiative & Resilience: Ability to work independently, take ownership, and persevere through challenges.

Preferred Skills:

• MBA degree.
• Direct experience within the automotive industry.
• Good technical/mechanical understanding of chassis, engines, bus, and RV systems.
• Experience in Marketing functions, complementing product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of strategic foresight and operational execution. The "ability to lead and influence in a matrix cross functional organization by collaborating with key stakeholders in sales, engineering, finance and operations" is a critical requirement for operations roles that need to drive alignment and action across departments. 'Results and detailed oriented' is also a key trait for success in operations management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate experience in managing product lifecycles, including strategy development, planning, and execution through to implementation.
• Showcase examples of market analysis, VOC gathering, and competitive assessment that informed product strategy and feature definition.
• Provide evidence of successfully navigating "Quality Gates" or similar structured project approval processes, highlighting contributions to meeting required specifications.
• Illustrate instances of identifying and implementing process improvements (streamlining, cost reduction) within manufacturing or operational workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Exhibit a clear understanding of how to document product strategies, roadmaps, and feature sets for cross-functional alignment and stakeholder buy-in.
• Present examples of how you have translated market insights and customer needs into actionable product plans and technical specifications.
• Detail your approach to monitoring and reporting on key product performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost, quality, schedule adherence, and profitability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio should highlight strategic thinking coupled with execution. Candidates should be prepared to showcase how they've translated strategic objectives into tangible product plans, managed cross-functional execution, and driven measurable improvements. The emphasis on "Quality Gates" suggests a need to demonstrate experience with structured project management and stage-gate processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The starting salary range for this position is $104,000 - $133,000 USD per year. The final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits:

• Annual Bonus Program: Performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Retirement Savings: 401k company contribution with a company match of up to 6%, plus a non-elective company contribution of 3-7% depending on age.
• Paid Time Off: Starting at 4 weeks of paid vacation and 13+ calendar holidays.
• Parental Leave: 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Employee Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Healthcare: Comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs.
• On-site Amenities: Onsite fitness facilities available at select locations.
• Professional Development: Tuition assistance and paid time off for volunteer activities.
• Disability Coverage: Short-term and long-term disability plans.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, likely involving a standard 40-hour work week, with expectations for flexibility to meet project deadlines and operational demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Product Strategy & Planning Manager role in the automotive industry, especially in the specified locations. The extensive benefits package, including a strong 401k offering and generous PTO, reflects Daimler Truck AG's commitment to employee well-being and long-term retention. The "Onsite" work arrangement means employees are expected to be physically present at the designated office location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. Daimler Truck AG is a global leader in commercial vehicles, focusing on innovation in sustainability, electric, hydrogen, and autonomous driving technologies. Company Size: Large enterprise (implied by Daimler Truck AG's global presence and listing on Workday). This often means structured processes, opportunities for specialization, and significant impact potential. Founded: Daimler AG (parent company) has a long history dating back to the late 19th century with Karl Benz, evolving into a major automotive conglomerate. Daimler Truck AG was spun off from Daimler AG in December 2021.

Team Structure:

• The role operates within a product strategy and planning function, likely part of a larger Product Development or Engineering division.
• Requires close collaboration with Sales, Engineering, Finance, and Operations departments, indicating a matrixed reporting structure where influence is key.
• The emphasis on cross-functional teams suggests a collaborative, project-oriented team environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizes market data, VOC, competitive analysis, and future market trends to inform strategy.
• Structured Product Development: Employs a stage-gate or quality gates process to ensure rigorous evaluation and approval at critical project milestones.
• Process Optimization: Focuses on analyzing and improving existing workflows, systems, and methods to achieve streamlining and cost efficiencies.

Company Website: https://www.daimlertruck.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Daimler Truck AG's global scale and its recent spin-off provides context. As a large, established player, they likely have robust operational frameworks. The focus on future technologies (electric, hydrogen, autonomous) suggests an innovative and forward-thinking culture, where operational efficiency is critical for bringing these advancements to market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position, requiring significant experience in product strategy and cross-functional leadership. It sits at the intersection of strategic planning and operational execution, bridging the gap between high-level vision and tangible product delivery.

Reporting Structure: While the direct report structure isn't explicitly stated, the role necessitates influencing and collaborating with stakeholders across various departments (Sales, Engineering, Finance, Operations). This implies a reporting line likely within a Product Management, Product Development, or Strategy function, with significant interaction with directors and VPs.

Operations Impact: The Product Strategy & Planning Manager directly influences the company's product portfolio, market competitiveness, and profitability. By ensuring products meet specifications, cost targets, and market demands, this role has a critical impact on revenue generation, customer satisfaction, and the company's long-term strategic positioning in the evolving automotive landscape. Effective management of the product lifecycle and execution through quality gates is essential for operational efficiency and business success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance into senior leadership roles within Product Management, Strategy, or broader operational leadership within Daimler Truck AG.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific product areas (e.g., powertrain, ADAS, electric vehicles) or operational domains (e.g., process optimization, program management).
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Broadens experience by working across diverse departments, building a comprehensive understanding of the business and enhancing strategic influence.
• Industry Expertise: Develops deep knowledge of the automotive industry's complex dynamics, regulatory environment, and technological advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a large, established company, moving from managing product lifecycles to potentially leading larger product portfolios or strategic initiatives. The blend of strategy and operational execution provides a well-rounded development experience for aspiring leaders in the automotive sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role requires regular presence at one of the designated office locations in High Point, NC, or Gaffney, SC. Office Location(s):

• High Point, NC US
• Gaffney, SC US

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is expected to be collaborative, involving frequent interaction with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and potentially external partners.
• Employees will have access to standard office technology and tools necessary for product planning, analysis, and communication.
• Opportunities for direct engagement with product development teams, engineering, and sales departments will be frequent, fostering a dynamic and interactive workspace.

Work Schedule:

• This is a full-time position. While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the nature of product development and launch cycles may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines and critical milestones like Quality Gate reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement emphasizes the need for in-person collaboration. The specified locations are known manufacturing and operational hubs for Daimler Truck North America, suggesting a workplace environment deeply integrated with the company's core business operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with the minimum qualifications and experience.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience in product strategy, lifecycle management, and cross-functional collaboration. Be prepared to provide specific examples.
• Cross-Functional Panel Interview: You will likely meet with key stakeholders from Sales, Engineering, Finance, and Operations to evaluate your ability to collaborate and influence across departments. Expect behavioral and situational questions.
• Case Study/Presentation: A potential element could involve a case study or a presentation of a past product strategy or development project from your portfolio, demonstrating your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate complex ideas.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to assess cultural fit and overall strategic alignment with Daimler Truck AG's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Strategic Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your strategic approach, and the measurable business outcomes (e.g., market share increase, cost reduction, revenue growth).
• Showcase Cross-Functional Leadership: Detail your role in coordinating diverse teams, managing stakeholder expectations, and driving consensus towards common goals.
• Quantify Achievements: Use specific metrics and data to demonstrate the impact of your work. For example, "Increased product profitability by X% through Y initiative" or "Reduced time-to-market by Z weeks by optimizing the quality gates process."
• Detail Process Navigation: Include examples of how you managed product lifecycles, navigated quality gates, and contributed to streamlining operational workflows.
• Tailor to Daimler Truck AG: Research the company's current strategic priorities (e.g., electrification, autonomous driving, sustainability) and try to align your portfolio examples with these areas where possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach developing a product strategy for a new technology or market segment relevant to the commercial vehicle industry.
• Process Improvement: Prepare to outline how you would identify inefficiencies in a product development process and propose solutions for streamlining and cost improvement.
• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating how you would gain buy-in from various departments for a new product initiative or a change in product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on strategy and cross-functional execution, candidates should prepare to articulate their thought processes deeply. A strong portfolio that demonstrates both strategic vision and operational rigor in execution, particularly around structured processes like Quality Gates, will be highly valued.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software: Experience with systems like Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, or similar platforms for managing product data, documentation, and workflows throughout the lifecycle.
• Project Management Software: Proficiency in tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana, or Smartsheet for planning, tracking, and managing project timelines, resources, and dependencies.
• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar tools for day-to-day communication and team coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with tools for market analysis and performance tracking, potentially including Excel (advanced functions), Tableau, Power BI, or specialized market intelligence platforms.
• CRM Systems: Understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, SAP CRM) can inform product strategy and customer needs, even if not directly managing the CRM.
• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Ability to interpret data from BI dashboards to understand product performance, market trends, and operational efficiency.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM or automation role, understanding how these systems interface with product strategy is beneficial. Familiarity with SAP (often used in large manufacturing enterprises for ERP and CRM functions) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, proficiency in tools that support structured product development processes, cross-functional collaboration, and data analysis is crucial. The ability to leverage data from various systems to inform strategic decisions and operational improvements will be a key differentiator. Experience with enterprise-level systems like SAP is often a plus in large manufacturing organizations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs, driving product development that delivers real value.
• Data-Driven Approach: Reliance on data and analytics for decision-making, performance measurement, and continuous improvement.
• Efficiency & Optimization: A focus on streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving operational workflows to enhance productivity and profitability.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively across departments, fostering open communication and shared responsibility to achieve common goals.
• Innovation & Future-Forward Thinking: Commitment to exploring and implementing new technologies (electric, autonomous) and adapting to evolving market dynamics.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Influential: Expected to actively engage with stakeholders, build strong relationships, and influence decisions through data and strategic rationale.
• Process-Oriented: A structured approach to collaboration, utilizing defined processes (like Quality Gates) to ensure alignment and clear progress.
• Transparent Communication: Open sharing of information, insights, and challenges to foster trust and facilitate effective problem-solving.
• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement within the team and across functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Daimler Truck AG's emphasis on "building to solve with cutting-edge solutions" and "keeping the world moving" suggests a culture that values innovation, impact, and a strong sense of purpose. The operations values will likely align with driving efficiency to support these ambitious goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Complex Matrix Organization: Effectively influencing and aligning diverse stakeholders across multiple departments with potentially competing priorities requires strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Balancing Innovation with Operational Constraints: Integrating new technologies and features while adhering to strict cost, time, and quality targets in a large manufacturing environment.
• Adapting to Rapid Technological Change: Keeping pace with the fast-evolving landscape of electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and digital technologies in the automotive sector.
• Global Product Strategy Alignment: Ensuring product strategies are relevant and executable across different regional markets, considering varying regulations and customer preferences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend automotive industry events and specialized training on product management, strategy, and emerging technologies.
• Advanced Certifications: Potential for support in obtaining certifications related to product management (e.g., Pragmatic Institute) or project management (e.g., PMP).
• Mentorship Programs: Access to experienced leaders within Daimler Truck AG who can provide guidance on career development and strategic thinking.
• Exposure to New Technologies: Hands-on involvement in the development of cutting-edge automotive technologies, offering unparalleled learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of the automotive industry and the complexities of working within a global enterprise. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for professionals looking to advance their careers in product strategy and operations within a leading automotive manufacturer.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a product strategy for a new generation of commercial vehicles, considering electrification and autonomous driving trends." (Focus on market analysis, VOC, competitive assessment, and roadmap creation.)
• "How would you manage the 'Quality Gates' process for a critical product launch to ensure all stakeholders are aligned and requirements are met on time and within budget?" (Emphasize process adherence, risk management, and communication.)
• "Imagine a scenario where engineering is facing significant delays on a key technology feature. How would you collaborate with sales, finance, and operations to mitigate the impact on the product launch timeline and profitability?" (Highlight cross-functional problem-solving and negotiation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Daimler Truck AG's vision for the future of transportation, and how does your approach to product strategy align with it?" (Research their sustainability goals, EV/autonomous initiatives.)
• "Describe a time you had to influence a cross-functional team to adopt your product vision or strategy. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, communication, and stakeholder management.)
• "How do you ensure a customer-centric approach is embedded in product planning and development, especially when balancing technical feasibility and business objectives?" (Discuss VOC integration, user feedback loops.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the objective, your role and responsibilities, the strategy/process employed, challenges encountered, and the quantifiable results achieved. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Quantify Impact: Be ready to present metrics related to cost savings, efficiency improvements, revenue growth, market share gains, or time-to-market reductions.
• Demonstrate Process Mastery: Highlight your experience with structured methodologies like Quality Gates, stage-gate processes, or agile product development. Explain how you ensured adherence and achieved targets.
• Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with diverse teams (sales, engineering, finance, operations) and managed stakeholder expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that demonstrate a blend of strategic thinking, operational execution, and cross-functional leadership will be key. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with structured processes and quantify the impact of their contributions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy & Planning Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Daimler Truck North America careers portal.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product strategy, product lifecycle management, cross-functional team leadership, and process optimization. Use keywords from the job description, such as "product roadmap," "quality gates," "stakeholder management," and "cost improvement."
• Portfolio Curation: Prepare a concise portfolio that showcases 2-3 key projects demonstrating your strategic planning, execution, and impact. Focus on quantifiable results and your role in navigating complex processes and cross-functional teams.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method, focusing on instances where you've driven product strategy from conception to implementation, managed against targets, and influenced stakeholders. Research Daimler Truck AG's current initiatives in electrification and autonomous driving.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Daimler Truck AG's mission, values, and recent news, particularly concerning their product development and technological advancements. Understand their commitment to sustainability and future mobility solutions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.