Product Strategy & Planning Mgr. – Specialist III

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy & Planning Manager – Specialist III

Company: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA)

Location: Gaffney, SC; Fort Mill, SC; High Point, NC (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Strategy & Planning / Operations Management

Date Posted: July 27, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office, 1 day remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product lifecycle roadmap and strategy, from initial concept through successful implementation, ensuring all quality gates are met.

• Spearhead the strategic planning and execution for key product components, including powertrain, electronic architecture, and advanced technology features (e.g., Safety, ADAS, HMI, Telematics).

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to align on product specifications, cost targets, timelines, and profitability goals, ensuring market competitiveness and legal compliance.

• Analyze market data, customer feedback (VOC), and competitor assessments to define product performance targets and identify new market opportunities for strategic product development.

• Manage the product portfolio for engines, transmissions, and associated technologies, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment across all product lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Product Strategy & Planning Manager," has significant operational oversight responsibilities. The focus on "quality gates," "specs, cost, time, quality, and profitability targets," and coordinating "discipline teams" indicates a strong need for process-oriented thinking and execution, which aligns with Revenue Operations (RevOps) and Sales Operations (Sales Ops) principles of driving efficiency and measurable outcomes in product development and market introduction. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and strategic alignment positions it as a critical GTM (Go-To-Market) enabler.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the comprehensive product lifecycle roadmap, ensuring seamless progression from ideation to market launch, with rigorous adherence to quality gate approval processes.

• Conduct in-depth market research, including customer surveys and competitive analysis, to identify customer priorities, key selling points, and establish robust product performance targets.

• Define and articulate new product value propositions and targeted feature sets that resonate with market demands and drive competitive advantage.

• Ensure that product development initiatives meet stringent requirements for technical quality, reliability, schedule adherence, and cost efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

• Monitor project performance, proactively identifying potential risks and recommending necessary adjustments to schedules, budgets, or resource allocation to maintain project integrity.

• Collaborate with manufacturing facilities and interfacing departments to analyze existing structures, methods, systems, and workflows, proposing and implementing streamlining measures for cost improvement and operational efficiency.

• Prepare and present complexity optimization proposals for chassis and body options, contributing to product portfolio rationalization and cost reduction efforts.

• Align product strategy and planning with internal DTSV and external DTNA partners to ensure consistency, clarity, and unified execution across all business units.

• Support strategic activities such as long-term volume forecasting, pricing positioning, and detailed product specification development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed, particularly those concerning process analysis, cost improvement, complexity optimization, and workflow streamlining, are highly relevant to operations professionals. These tasks require a systematic approach to problem-solving and a deep understanding of operational efficiency, akin to tasks performed by Sales Operations or Revenue Operations specialists focused on optimizing Go-To-Market processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Engineering, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

• An MBA or postgraduate degree is considered exceptional. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Product Strategy or Product Management roles.

• Proven experience in leading cross-functional teams through the entire product development and implementation lifecycle.

• Experience within the automotive industry, particularly with chassis, engines, buses, or RVs, is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• Strategic Planning & Product Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute comprehensive product roadmaps and manage products from inception to end-of-life.

• Cross-functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to lead and influence diverse teams in a matrixed organization, effectively collaborating with Sales, Engineering, Finance, and Operations.

• Market & Customer Analysis: Strong skills in market data analysis, VOC (Voice of Customer) interpretation, competitor assessment, and identifying market trends to inform product strategy.

• Business Acumen & Financial Management: Solid understanding of business principles, financial targets, profitability analysis, and cost management to ensure strategic decisions align with company goals.

• Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Excellent analytical and strategic thinking capabilities to operate independently with minimal guidance and make sound, data-driven decisions.

• Communication Skills: Proficient written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to various stakeholders.

• Results & Detail Orientation: A meticulous approach to work, with a strong focus on achieving measurable results and maintaining attention to detail.

Preferred Skills:

• MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field.

• Direct experience within the automotive sector, including familiarity with truck, bus, or RV systems.

• Strong technical or mechanical understanding of vehicle systems, including engines, transmissions, chassis, and electronic architectures.

• Experience in marketing, including value proposition development and go-to-market strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "leading cross-functional teams," "business acumen," and "stakeholder management" strongly aligns with the collaborative and strategic demands of operations roles. The emphasis on "results and detailed orientation" is a core competency for any operations professional focused on process optimization and performance metrics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Product Lifecycle Management Case Studies: Showcase examples of successfully managing product lifecycles, demonstrating strategic planning, execution, and market introduction phases. Highlight how you navigated quality gates and achieved key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Cross-functional Project Leadership: Provide evidence of leading diverse teams (Sales, Engineering, Operations, Finance) to achieve complex product development objectives. Detail your approach to stakeholder alignment and conflict resolution.

• Market Analysis & Strategy Development: Include examples of market research, VOC analysis, and competitor assessments that directly led to the development of new product strategies or feature sets. Quantify the impact of these strategies where possible.

• Process Optimization Initiatives: Present case studies where you analyzed and improved existing operational processes, workflows, or systems to achieve cost reduction, efficiency gains, or enhanced quality in product development or manufacturing.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in mapping, analyzing, and redesigning workflows related to product development, planning, or market introduction to enhance efficiency and reduce lead times.

• Quality Gate Process Management: Illustrate your understanding and application of structured approval processes (quality gates) in product development, including documentation requirements, stakeholder sign-offs, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Performance Measurement & Reporting: Showcase your ability to define, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to product development, cost, timeline, and profitability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio" and "process documentation" is a critical indicator for operations roles. Candidates are expected to demonstrate tangible achievements in process improvement, strategic execution, and quantifiable results, similar to what would be expected in a RevOps or Sales Ops portfolio showcasing CRM optimization, sales process improvements, or revenue forecasting accuracy.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The starting salary range for this position is $104,000 to $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 plan with a company contribution that includes a company match up to 6%, plus a non-elective company contribution of 3-7% depending on age.

• Paid Time Off: Generous starting vacation of 4 weeks per year, plus 13+ calendar holidays.

• Family Support: 8 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Employee Support: Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Health & Wellness: Access to comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs.

• Onsite Amenities: Onsite fitness facilities available at select locations.

• Professional Development: Tuition assistance programs and paid time off for volunteer activities.

• Disability Coverage: Short-term and long-term disability plans.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are assumed to be approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. The hybrid schedule allows for flexibility, with 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Specialist III level role in the automotive product strategy domain. The extensive benefits package, particularly the robust retirement plan and paid time off, reflects a commitment to employee well-being, which is a common attraction for operations professionals seeking stable and supportive employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing (Trucks, Buses, Chassis)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Daimler Truck North America is part of a global automotive giant)

Founded: Daimler Truck North America traces its roots back through a long history of automotive innovation, with its current structure evolving to focus on future mobility solutions.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role operates within a matrixed organization, requiring extensive collaboration with various departments including Sales, Engineering, Finance, Manufacturing, and other operational teams.

• Product-Centric Approach: The team is likely structured around product lines or strategic initiatives, with a shared focus on driving product success from concept to market.

• Reporting Hierarchy: While not explicitly stated, a Specialist III role typically reports to a Director or Senior Manager level within Product Strategy or Planning.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on market data, VOC, and performance metrics to inform strategic decisions.

• Process Management: Utilization of structured processes like quality gates to manage product development and ensure quality and efficiency.

• Continuous Improvement: A focus on analyzing and optimizing existing workflows and systems for cost reduction and enhanced performance.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Daimler Truck's position as a leader in future mobility (electric, hydrogen, autonomous) is crucial. This context suggests a forward-thinking culture that values innovation, sustainability, and efficiency – all key aspects that resonate with operations professionals aiming to contribute to impactful business strategies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Specialist III signifies a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role with significant responsibility. It implies a level of expertise and autonomy where the individual is expected to lead complex projects and contribute strategically, but may not yet have direct reports. For operations professionals, this level often bridges tactical execution with strategic input.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a Product Strategy or Planning leadership position, likely a Director or Senior Manager. This provides exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making processes within the product development function.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on Daimler Truck's market competitiveness and profitability by shaping the product portfolio, ensuring product-market fit, and optimizing development processes. Effective product strategy and planning are foundational to successful Go-To-Market execution and sustained revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific product areas (e.g., powertrain, ADAS) or strategic planning methodologies.

• Leadership Development: Potential progression to roles with direct team management responsibilities (e.g., Senior Product Strategy Manager, Director of Product Planning) as experience and leadership capabilities grow.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Possibility to move into related operational or strategic roles within different divisions of Daimler Truck, leveraging a broad understanding of the business.

• Industry Expertise: Continued development in the dynamic automotive and future mobility sectors, staying at the forefront of technological advancements and market shifts.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role offers a pathway to combine strategic product vision with operational execution. Growth can be channeled into leading operational aspects of product launches, optimizing GTM strategies, or managing complex product portfolios, aligning well with career aspirations in RevOps, Sales Ops, or broader GTM strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, combining in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The emphasis on "#OneTeamBestTeam" suggests a culture that values both individual contribution and collective effort.

Office Location(s): The position is available in Gaffney, SC; Fort Mill, SC; and High Point, NC. Candidates should be prepared to work from one of these locations, with 4 days per week in the office. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to foster in-person collaboration, team building, and innovative solutions. Expect a dynamic office environment conducive to team projects and discussions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology and likely specialized product development and planning software used by Daimler Truck.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with colleagues from various departments, fostering a broad understanding of the business and building a strong professional network.

Work Schedule: The hybrid schedule (4 days in-office, 1 day remote) offers a structured yet flexible work arrangement, balancing the needs for collaboration and focused individual work, which is beneficial for complex analysis and planning tasks common in operations roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant factor for many operations professionals who seek a balance between structured work environments and personal flexibility. The specific locations in the Carolinas and North Carolina place the role within a region with a growing automotive and manufacturing presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess foundational qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on your experience in product strategy, lifecycle management, cross-functional leadership, and strategic thinking. Be prepared to discuss your approach to market analysis and product roadmap development.

• Panel Interview/Case Study: Likely involves presenting a case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your problem-solving skills, strategic approach, and ability to influence stakeholders. Expect questions on how you'd tackle specific product planning challenges or optimize processes.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key collaborators from Engineering, Sales, or Operations to assess your ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment and understand your communication and influence skills.

• Final Interview: With senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic vision, and long-term potential within Daimler Truck.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project or case study, clearly state the problem, your role, the actions taken, and the quantifiable results (e.g., % cost reduction, % increase in market share, successful launch within budget/timeline).

• Process Optimization Focus: Highlight examples where you analyzed and improved processes, workflows, or systems. Use frameworks like DMAIC or Lean principles if applicable.

• Strategic Alignment: Demonstrate how your product strategies aligned with broader company objectives and market trends.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Evidence: Showcase instances where you successfully navigated complex stakeholder dynamics and achieved consensus.

• Visual Clarity: Present your portfolio in a clean, organized, and visually appealing format (e.g., PDF, presentation slides).

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Strategy Case: Be ready to analyze a hypothetical market scenario or product challenge and propose a strategic plan, including target customers, value proposition, feature set, and a high-level roadmap.

• Process Improvement Scenario: Prepare to discuss how you would diagnose and improve a specific process within product development or market introduction, focusing on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Stakeholder Management Simulation: Practice articulating your strategy and influencing skills in a simulated scenario involving conflicting stakeholder priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an operations-focused candidate, emphasize your experience in process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration that directly enabled product success. Frame your portfolio around quantifiable improvements and strategic contributions to GTM.

🛠 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, revisions, and workflows.

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in tools such as Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira, or Monday.com for planning, tracking, and managing complex product development timelines and tasks.

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): While not a primary focus, understanding how CRM data informs product strategy and market feedback is beneficial.

• Data Analysis & Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Excel (advanced functions), Tableau, Power BI, or similar for market analysis, performance tracking, and reporting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Market Research Platforms: Experience using tools for competitive intelligence, market trend analysis, and customer segmentation.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Ability to leverage BI platforms for generating insights from product performance data, sales figures, and market feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• ERP Systems (e.g., SAP): Understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning systems can be helpful for comprehending manufacturing, supply chain, and cost implications of product decisions.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, or similar for communication, documentation, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is product-focused, a strong operations professional will highlight their proficiency in tools that enable data analysis, project management, and cross-functional communication. Emphasis on analytical tools and project management software will be key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to continuously improve processes, reduce costs, and enhance operational effectiveness across the product lifecycle.

• Data-Driven Approach: Decisions are informed by robust data analysis, market insights, and performance metrics, ensuring strategic choices are grounded in evidence.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in working together across departments to achieve common goals, fostering an environment of mutual support and shared accountability.

• Customer Centricity: A commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs, translating market feedback into valuable product features and strategies.

• Accountability & Results: Taking ownership of outcomes and striving to deliver measurable results that contribute to the company's success.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Regularly engaging with stakeholders to share updates, gather input, and address potential issues before they escalate.

• Influence & Consensus Building: Ability to lead and persuade diverse teams, finding common ground and building consensus around strategic product decisions.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement in both products and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share insights, best practices, and lessons learned across teams to elevate collective understanding and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals often thrive in environments that value data, efficiency, and collaborative problem-solving. Highlighting alignment with these values will be crucial for cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Effectively managing diverse priorities and expectations from multiple departments (Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance) in a large organization.

• Balancing Innovation with Feasibility: Identifying and championing new technologies and features while ensuring they are technically viable, cost-effective, and meet regulatory requirements.

• Adapting to Market Volatility: Responding to rapid shifts in market demand, technological advancements, and competitive pressures within the dynamic automotive industry.

• Optimizing Product Mix: Strategically managing a diverse product portfolio, including engines, transmissions, and electronic systems, to maximize profitability and market share.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Product Strategy: Opportunities to gain deeper expertise in areas like future mobility technologies (EV, Hydrogen, Autonomous), advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and complex powertrain systems.

• Operations & Supply Chain Acumen: Developing a stronger understanding of manufacturing, supply chain, and operational impacts on product development and cost management.

• Leadership Training: Access to leadership development programs within Daimler Truck to hone skills in team management, strategic influence, and executive communication.

• Industry Certifications & Conferences: Support for attending relevant industry events and pursuing certifications that enhance product strategy and operations knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations professionals can frame these challenges as opportunities to apply their analytical and process-oriented skills to drive impactful solutions, further solidifying their value.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a product roadmap from market analysis to final launch. What are the critical 'quality gates' you would implement, and why?" (Focus on process, data, and cross-functional involvement).

• "How do you balance competing priorities between Sales' demand for new features and Engineering's constraints on development time and cost?" (Emphasize stakeholder management, negotiation, and data-driven prioritization).

• "Walk me through a time you identified a market opportunity and translated it into a successful product strategy. What were the key steps, challenges, and outcomes?" (Prepare a STAR method example highlighting strategic thinking and execution). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Daimler Truck's vision for future mobility (electric, hydrogen, autonomous), and how would your product strategy contribute to this vision?" (Research company initiatives and align your experience).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with cross-functional teams. How do you ensure alignment and productivity?" (Highlight your collaboration style and adaptability).

• "How do you measure the success of a product strategy, beyond just sales figures?" (Focus on KPIs relevant to market penetration, customer satisfaction, profitability, and operational efficiency). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your strategic approach, the operational processes you leveraged or improved, the cross-functional collaboration involved, and the measurable business impact (ROI, efficiency gains, market share).

• Highlight Operations Impact: Explicitly connect your product strategy contributions to operational efficiency, cost optimization, or process improvements.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions on the specific tools, methodologies, and data sources you used. Be prepared to discuss the "how" and "why" behind your decisions.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to think holistically about the product lifecycle and its connection to the broader business objectives and market landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations candidates should emphasize their experience in process optimization, data analysis, and cross-functional execution within their portfolio presentations and interview responses. Framing product strategy through an operational lens will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy & Planning Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Daimler Truck North America careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize keywords and responsibilities related to product strategy, lifecycle management, cross-functional leadership, market analysis, and process optimization. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your experience in product strategy development, execution, market analysis, and process improvement. Focus on demonstrating measurable impact and successful cross-functional collaboration.

• Research Daimler Truck: Familiarize yourself with Daimler Truck's current product lines, future mobility initiatives (electric, hydrogen, autonomous), and their stated company values. Understand their market position and competitive landscape.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for strategic, behavioral, and situational interview questions, particularly those that allow you to highlight your operations expertise in driving product success and efficiency. Practice articulating your portfolio case studies clearly and concisely.

⚠️ 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.