Product Manager Paper Market
We are seeking a Product Manager for the Paper market, to lead and direct growth through effective product lifecycle and portfolio strategies. The Product Manager is expected to maintain a thorough and current knowledge of customer needs and industry trends, and competitors’ technical and commercial offerings. The Product Manager gains alignment/approval from other internal stakeholders as needed as well as supporting the sales team and selected strategic projects. This position reports to the Director of Paper and Corrugating and the pay range is $91,930 - $137,895 annually. Pay will be based on qualifications and experience.
10/9/2025
Waukegan, Illinois
Full-time
Office
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Marketing
- Lead product development projects and validate market expectations and customer acceptance.
- Collaborate with Marketing on brand building, product positioning, and market insights for future growth.
- Identify market opportunities aligned with customer needs, technological trends and geographical factors.
Product Line Management
- Assess competitive threats through quantifiable comparisons of Deublin's products and competitors' products.
- Manage product portfolios through each product’s life cycle to maximize profitability and market share.
- Manage Product Life Cycle by exiting low volume and/or low profit products.
- Manage Pricing and Margin. Monitor product pricing and adjust based on market research, actual and anticipated manufacturing costs, development and selling expenses.
Sales Support
- Applications know how to determine what product is suited for what Application.
- Identify OEMs/End Users and geography that offer higher potential profits.
- Coordinate inventory levels with Production. Facilitate inventory turnover and product availability to meet demand, review and adjust stock levels.
- Support the preparation by Marketing Communications of technical and promotional materials and programs. Create technical articles/case studies to support and promote products and services within assigned markets.
- Guide exhibition activities by determining the ROI and participating actively in agreed trade shows.
- Develop and implement training programs for Sales personnel, distributors, and other channel partners.
Strategic Project Support
- Co-Lead Product Development Project Teams (Stage Gate).
- Develop Product Launch material with Director of Paper and Corrugating and Marketing Communications.
- Work with Director of Paper and Corrugating on long-range plan and Product “eco-system”.
Qualifications and Skill Requirements:
- Leadership: Strong leadership and results-oriented critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to define problems, collect and interpret complex technical business data, weigh alternatives, and make valid decisions.
- Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to outline technical and promotional materials for customers and colleagues. Effective presentation skills and responding to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
- Project Management: Achieve all project goals within the given constraints and meet success at a specified time.
- Technical: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex technical literature.
Education and Experience:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, or comparable discipline is required; MBA is a plus.
- Experience: 3+ years experience in fields related to product/application engineering, product development and marketing, with Paper industry experience preferred.
Location and Travel:
- This position is office-based in our Waukegan location. Usual office working conditions.
- Travel demand of 30% or as required, domestic and international.
Employee Benefits:
Deublin Company offers a stable, team-based environment with opportunities for advancement.
Our robust benefits package includes:
- Medical/dental/vision insurance coverage.
- 12 paid holidays per year in addition to the company’s Paid Time Off policy.
- 401(K) plan with employer contribution that matches 65% of the first 6% of employee contribution.
- Company-paid life/ADD insurance at 2.5x base annual compensation.
- Additional components, such as Educational Assistance, Employee Assistance Program and company paid Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage.
Company Profile
Deublin Company is the leading manufacturer of Rotating Unions and Electrical Slip Rings - devices that allow the transfer of pressurized fluid or electricity from a stationary source into rotating machinery. Deublin spans the world with 13 offices including 5 manufacturing plants and wholly owned subsidiaries in Austria, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom and United States.
In Waukegan, the award-winning, ISO 9001-certified manufacturing plant, comprises approximately 200,000 sq. ft. accommodating administration, sales, marketing, engineering, manufacturing, research and development as well as a complete training facility.
Deublin is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.