Product Accessories Specialist

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for supporting the coordination of all activities involved with the selection, design, evaluation and development of accessories, from ideation stage to production.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research, analyze, develop, and oversee Accessory Development Plans for new product to compliment vehicles, meet consumer expectations, and generate company profits.
• Develops and presents by-model Accessory Development plans, based on market knowledge and trends, as well as input from Kawasaki Accessory Sales/Marketing.
• Works as a team with Product Managers, Vehicle Marketing, and Accessory Sales/Marketing to develop and bring to market new accessories.
• Coordinates Accessory Development activities among R&D Product Development, R&D Engineers, Vehicle Engineers, Marketing-Product Education Managers, and Vendors for future vehicles and continued support of existing vehicles.
• Develops and maintains accurate timelines for Accessory Development. Updates and reports weekly.
• Anticipates effects of various accessories on the performance of vehicles. Selects products for purchase considering functional value, price competitiveness, market demand, product quality and safety.
• Acts as a key liaison with both established and prospective accessory vendors. Develops and maintains relationships to facilitate the development and procurement of new accessories.
• Confers with vendors to obtain product or service information such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.
• Identifies and works to resolve quality issues and root causes that lead to problem resolution.
• Maintains current knowledge of market conditions, competitors, and trends. This includes periodic analysis and reporting to support accessory development needs.
• Negotiates initial purchases and estimates values according to knowledge of market price.
• Participates in decision making process via committee to determine new accessory orders and initial purchase orders.
• Reports development status to management on a regular basis.
• Tracks current accessory sales situation including sales rate and inventory levels.
• Works with Senior Product Specialist to conduct hands-on fitment tests to ensure quality fit and finish, researches data for accessory problems, provides reports that quantify and prioritize trouble subjects, collects failed samples for investigations, works with vendors for product improvements and provides direction for solutions.
• Works closely with Website, Ecommerce, and Catalog Coordinator to assure correct data and photos are presented on websites, technical data, and in catalogs.
• Assists Parts & Accessories Sales Team with technical question on accessories.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is mandatory; a Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent from four-year college is preferred; and minimum 2-5 years related experience and/or training in an accessory development environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Exhibits excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to successfully prioritize and organize multiple, competing tasks.
• Extremely detail and deadline oriented.
• Brings energy and enthusiasm to group or team efforts.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude; be self-motivated and able to work as part of a team.
• Extensive background in the motorcycle, ATV, utility and personal watercraft industries is required. Knowledge and experience of manufacturing techniques is a definite asset.

• Solid knowledge and experience working with Microsoft's Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access software.

• Approximate percentage of travel: 15%

Benefits:

Your health and wellness are important to you – and to us. That’s why we provide a comprehensive benefits program designed for you (and your family) in mind.

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• 401K
• Generous Time off
• Educational Assistance
• Ongoing training and development
• Team member product purchase program