About the position
The Product Manager contributes to NEEA’s strategic goal of filling the energy efficiency “pipeline” by identifying and validating new energy efficient products, practices, and services in collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders. This position requires effective planning for the evolution of products through the full lifecycle stages of identification, assessment, confirmation and product readiness for deployment in a full-scale market transformation effort. Working across a wide range of products that use electric power and/or natural gas requires Product Managers to contract with testing labs, industry experts, engineering firms, and other market partners to support the full range of analysis and testing of products. NEEA’s Product Managers serve as product experts on assigned energy efficient product lines, as well as conduct research on emerging technologies that could bring energy savings for Northwest consumers. Product Managers partner closely with NEEA’s Market Transformation Managers and Program Managers and work largely in cross-functional teams as a key contributor to new and existing Market Transformation Initiatives. This position is based in the Portland, OR metro area, with a hybrid work location. We are looking for candidates who can meet the requirement of working at least 2 days per week onsite at NEEA’s office location. Finalists must have eligibility to work in the US as NEEA is not able to provide VISA sponsorship or have remote work outside of the US.
Responsibilities
- Scan the market for new innovative energy efficiency products, practices or services and screen those opportunities for inclusion and prioritization within NEEA’s portfolio of emerging technologies.
- Track industry and technology trends.
- Share industry and technology data with team.
- Define the product plan for each assigned product/service/practice - evolving and maintaining this plan throughout the product lifecycle.
- Understand the needs of, and become an advocate for the end users, the supply chain, and utility partners.
- Evolve the product strategy to adapt to market conditions over the life of the interventions.
- Provide ongoing product guidance and support to Market Transformation Managers, Program Managers, external contractors and other involved parties.
- Develop appropriate measurement and verification approaches that demonstrate products’ energy performance and fitness for use.
- Support Codes and Standards Engineers in recommending test method changes for state and federal standards development.
- Identify product performance and attributes that impact market transformation goals.
- Coordinate with state, national and international organizations involved in voluntary standards to update test methods and performance specifications.
- Assist in developing market strategies and the design of full-scale market transformation efforts in collaboration with regional stakeholders.
- Build and maintain relationships with manufacturers and other market actors.
- Build and maintain relationships with utilities, especially staff involved in emerging technologies.
- Create a shared sense of purpose; involve the team to ensure buy-in for future execution.
- Manage contracts and contractor work for testing, pilots and in-field product demonstrations.
- Regularly review product and program performance to NEEA’s value delivery goals.
Requirements
- BA or BS degree in Engineering, Marketing, Business or related field required.
- 5-10 years of experience with increasing responsibility, preferably in new product development/introduction, and/or strategic product market management required.
- Demonstrated complex project management experience required.
- Demonstrated experience with team leadership and facilitation preferred.
- Knowledge of energy efficiency, electric utility business and operations, and/or Northwest energy markets preferred.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in product strategy development, including an understanding of market assessment, short and long-range forecasting, risk-assessment and management strategy.
- An equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job duties will also be considered.
Benefits
- 90% of medical/dental premiums paid by NEEA, including for dependents.
- Employer funded Health Savings Account.
- 136 hours of PTO/year.
- Automatic 6% retirement contribution with an additional 2% matching.
- Flexible work environment, including hybrid work location and 9/80 schedule options.
- Professional development opportunities.
