Product Line Manager Leader

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 $2B in revenue, and employ approximately 11,000 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:

Strategy

• Achieves long term market performance goals by establishing the long-term vision and strategy for assigned product ranges
• Acts as the champion and evangelist for communicating the product line vision and strategy to all relevant participants and stakeholders

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.

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 buyer'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.

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.

Other

•  Leads a team and is responsible for goals, performance evaluation, and personnel decisions.
•  Establishes a commitment to quality and communicate the importance of meeting statutory, regulatory and customer requirements.
•  Ensures quality policy is understood, implemented, and maintained at all levels of the organization.
•  Establishes and communicates quality objectives that are measurable and consistent with the quality policy.
•  Establishes and nurtures new business relationships, including cultivating partnerships with new companies, existing rack manufacturers, and emerging start-ups

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 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

Salary : $2