Washing Machine Category Manager

Role and Core Responsibilities

1. Market & Consumer Insight

Conduct in‑depth market research, studying customer needs, pain points, usage behavior, and buying trends.

Analyze competitors (features, pricing, performance, innovation cycles) to identify gaps and opportunities.

2. Product Strategy & Roadmap

Define a clear product vision, positioning, and long‑term strategy for the washing machine lineup.

Build and update the product roadmap based on market trends, sales input, and competitive evolution.

3. Product Definition & Requirements

Translate market insights into Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) with detailed feature definitions, performance expectations, and user experience targets.

Determine product specifications such as capacity, efficiency class, motor type, wash programs, connected features, energy requirements, and regulatory compliance.

4. Cross‑Functional Leadership

Work closely with R&D to guide product development from concept, prototype testing, and validation to certification.

Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams to ensure cost optimization, stable production, and product reliability.

Partner with marketing and sales for go‑to‑market planning, messaging, and launch readiness.

5. Product Development & Innovation

Lead the end-to-end development process, ensuring timely delivery, cost targets, and product performance KPIs.

Promote innovation in functional areas such as washing performance, smart connectivity, energy efficiency, water usage, noise reduction, and user interface design.

Evaluate new technologies (motors, materials, sensors, algorithms, AI‑driven cycles).

6. Launch Management

Develop and execute product launch plans, coordinating marketing assets, training materials, retail strategies, and pricing.

Align with channel partners and sales teams for launch volume, forecasts, and promotional activities.

7. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Monitor the performance of each model: sell‑out, margin, consumer reviews, failure rates, and return reasons.

Adjust strategy based on performance (phase‑in/phase‑out, mid‑cycle feature upgrades, cost engineering).

8. After‑Sales Feedback Loop

Collaborate with after‑sales and service teams to understand top failure modes, spare parts issues, and user complaints.

Use data to drive product improvements and reduce warranty cost.

9. Pricing & Business Management

Own the product’s financial performance: cost targets, margin analysis, pricing strategy, and profitability optimization.

Conduct feasibility studies and manage business cases for new models.

10. Stakeholder Communication

Regularly update management and cross‑functional teams with reports, analysis, dashboards, and risk assessments.

Ensure alignment on strategies, timelines, and decisions.

Technical and Functional Skills

Strong understanding of washing machine technologies (motors, detergent systems, wash algorithms, safety, regulations).

Experience in R&D coordination, testing, and quality validation.

Knowledge of energy efficiency standards and compliance requirements.

Business & Analytical Skills: Market research and competitive analysis, financial modeling and pricing, Road mapping & strategic planning.

Soft Skills: Leadership and cross‑functional influence, clear communication and technical storytelling, problem‑solving, negotiation, and prioritization.

Preferred Skills

MS Office Suite experience a plus

Power BI

Supply Chain Management

International Business

Additional Notes

Work shift Monday to Friday – Business hours

Location Costa del Este, Panamá

Available for traveling across the region