Product Line Manager Lead

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $3B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

What We Offer:

• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

We are seeking a Product Line Manager Leader (PLM Lead) to join our Connectivity team. This position may be able to work remotely from anywhere, but preferably in the Dallas Texas area.

The Product Line Manager Leader (PLM Lead) is a seasoned leader whose primary role is to deliver product and market intelligence to AFL with the objective of increasing market share for assigned product range(s). The PLM Lead will define product, pricing, and promotion strategies. They will also manage other PLMs or Associate PLMs.

Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities/essential functions include:

Tactical Planning

• Achieves market performance goals by developing and executing the tactical plan for assigned product ranges, aligned with the broader product line strategy
• Acts as the champion and evangelist for communicating the product line vision and strategy to all relevant participants and stakeholders
• Acts as the champion for communicating the product line plans and priorities to all relevant participants and stakeholders
• Owns and maintains the product roadmap and supporting plans, sequencing enhancements, releases, and investments based on market evidence and business priorities.

New Product Development and Portfolio Management

• Successfully manages designated product range(s) over its life cycle in the broader product portfolio of the business area in a manner that maximizes the overall return/profit to the company, within the context of company, business area and marketing plans. Ensures compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and commercial change process.
• Leads the commercial input to the product development process including the development of product market requirements and identification of target market segments and customers for new products.
• Manages all aspects of the product (s) life cycle starting with the detailed planning phase (in development) until the product is terminated. Defines Product Models and Structures. Identify Offerings Items & Structures.
• Guides products through the phases of the development process - from discovery and feasibility through definition, development, and launch - informing the decision at each phase or stage gate

Sales Enablement

• Identifies the requirements for coordinating the development and deployment of the training, content, processes, practices, and tools needed to support salespeople throughout the customer's journey. This includes working collaboratively with sales, marketing, partners and other key stakeholders to increase sales results and productivity.
• Responsible for the performance of new product introductions including accountability for project pro-forma post launch financial performance.
• Establishes and nurtures new business relationships, including cultivating partnerships with new companies, existing rack manufacturers, and emerging start-ups

Portfolio & Life Cycle Management

• Manages the designated product range(s) across the full life cycle - introduction, growth, maturity, and decline - to maximize overall return and profit within company, business-area, and marketing plans.
• Assesses each product's life cycle position using market, financial, and operational metrics, and determines whether to invest, enhance, reposition, harvest, or retire.
• Defines product models, structures, and offering items; ensures compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and the commercial change process.
• Establish a commitment to quality and communicates the importance of meeting statutory, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Establish and communicate quality objectives that are measurable and consistent with the quality policy

Pricing

• Determines product pricing by utilizing market research data; reviewing production and sales costs; anticipating volume; costing special and customized orders.
• Effectively manages price including list price and customer or project level discounting to balance growth, capacity utilization and product line profitability objectives.

Business & Financial Performance

• Runs the product line as a business, owning ongoing revenue, margin, and profitability, and taking corrective action as market conditions change.
• Apply business acumen and data-driven analysis to guide investment, trade-off, and resource-allocation decisions across the product line.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Leads the cross-functional product team - spanning engineering, operations, marketing, sales, finance, and support - influencing without direct authority to align the organization behind product and market plans.

Leadership & People Management

• Leads with a decisive, high‑ownership management style, setting clear expectations and driving consistent execution across the team.
• Builds and develops a high‑performing, results‑oriented team through ongoing coaching, feedback, and structured performance management.
• Creates a culture of accountability and operational rigor, ensuring team members follow through and deliver on commitments.
• Drives clarity and alignment by defining goals, processes, milestones, and metrics for both team members and product initiatives.
• Acts as a change agent who challenges the status quo, introduces improved ways of working, and guides teams effectively through transformation.
• Influences cross‑functional partners through strong communication and data‑driven decision‑making to ensure buy‑in to product and market strategies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Engineering, Science, Business Administration, or related field
• 10+ years' experience in product marketing, product development, or related field
• Strong project management skills
• Product Management/Marketing expertise, including market trends/analysis, NPI process, product roadmap development, product life-cycle management,
• Experience working effectively within a matrix environment
• Data Center Ecosystem Experience: knowledge of the overall environment and infrastructure within data centers, including the different components and how they interact (e.g., networking equipment, rack power distribution, and cooling)
• Proven track record of successfully establishing initial engagement with companies, driving productive collaborations and fostering successful partnerships
• Moderate travel (approximately 40%)is required
• Ability to work extended hours to accommodate global operations may be required
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high‑performing teams, including setting clear goals, providing structured coaching, and driving accountability within a matrixed environment.
• Proven ability to influence and lead cross‑functional stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, driving alignment, decision‑making, and execution in fast‑moving or evolving business conditions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Data center infrastructure or telecommunications product/industry/technical acumen
• Experience working in a global environment