📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Product Marketing Manager
🔹 Company: Caterpillar Inc.
🔹 Location: Seguin, Texas (with option for Mossville, Illinois)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Sales
🔹 Date Posted: April 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with approximately 25% travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Serving as the company-wide subject matter expert on large engines (9L+) across the 4P’s (product, price, place, promotion)
- Driving product road mapping, strategy development, and new product development projects
- Overseeing product launches and managing metrics to monitor performance
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to build a comprehensive strategic view of products, markets, and customers
- Developing and presenting business cases and business development strategies to senior management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the IC engine industry, market research skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as the company-wide subject matter expert on large engines (9L+) across the 4P’s (product, price, place, promotion)
✅ Lead the Sales & Marketing input into product road mapping & strategy development, the NPI process, and strategic initiatives
✅ Partner with Strategy, Market Insights, Sales and Product teams to build a comprehensive and aligned strategic view of products, markets, and customers
✅ Develop and oversee execution of the product Go to Market (GTM) plans
✅ Define and present recommendations for business development to senior management through commercial business cases to gain business commitment
✅ Translate customer and market requirements into actionable product requirements
✅ Enable effective selling by building and communicating compelling customer value propositions
✅ Draft, collaborate, and influence multi-year product plans with strategy, insights, sales, and product teams
✅ Craft compelling product value propositions and unique selling points
✅ Brief the press, public relations (PR) teams, and internal groups on new products and services to be launched in the market
✅ Manage metrics, dashboards, and supporting management tools to monitor performance and develop processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, customer experience (CX), and accelerate adoption
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and influence, requiring strong communication and relationship management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in product strategy development, sales, or technical marketing, with a focus on IC engines
Required Skills:
- Strong market research skills and data analysis
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Knowledge of the principles and practices for selling products, technology, and services
- Ability to quantify proposed costs, benefits, and value in customer terms
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with NPI processes or Six Sigma project management framework
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of the IC engine industry and experience working with cross-functional teams.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $144,960 - $217,320 per year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)
- 401(k) savings plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Health Lifestyle Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts
- Career Development
- Incentive bonus
- Disability benefits
- Life Insurance
- Parental leave
- Adoption benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with approximately 25% travel
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's summary pay range and may vary depending on factors such as job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1925
Company Description:
- Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives.
- The company operates through three primary segments: Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation, and provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.
- Caterpillar does business on every continent and provides exceptional value to customers through its innovative products, services, and global dealer network.
Company Specialties:
- Manufacture of construction and mining equipment
- Diesel and natural gas engines
- Industrial gas turbines
- Diesel-electric locomotives
- Worldwide dealer network
Company Website: www.caterpillar.com
ASSUMPTION: Caterpillar Inc. is a large, global company with a diverse range of products and services, offering numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level management
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director of Product Marketing for Large Power Systems Division (LPSD)
Work Arrangement: On-site with approximately 25% travel
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to influence product strategy and development at a global level
- Opportunities to work on cross-functional teams and collaborate with stakeholders across the organization
- Possibility to advance to a director or higher-level role within the product marketing function
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within a large, global organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office environment
Office Location(s): Seguin, Texas (primary), Mossville, Illinois (option)
Geographic Context:
- Seguin, Texas: A small city located about 45 minutes southeast of San Antonio, offering a lower cost of living and a family-friendly atmosphere
- Mossville, Illinois: A small village located about 15 minutes north of Peoria, Illinois, with a tight-knit community and a rich history
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with approximately 25% travel
ASSUMPTION: The location of this role may impact the work-life balance and commuting time for candidates, depending on their personal preferences and circumstances.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-depth behavioral and situational interviews with the hiring manager and other team members
- Final interview with the director or another senior leader
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Market research and data analysis skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Collaboration and relationship management skills
- Industry knowledge and understanding of IC engines
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant market research, data analysis, and product marketing experience
- Prepare examples of your market research skills, such as customer segmentation, competitive analysis, or market trend analysis
- Be ready to discuss your experience with product road mapping, strategy development, and new product development
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
ATS Keywords: Market research, data analysis, product strategy, product marketing, IC engines, cross-functional teams, stakeholder management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's market research, data analysis, and product marketing skills, as well as their ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Product lifecycle management (PLM) software (e.g., Arena, Siemens Teamcenter)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the specific needs of the product marketing team and the organization.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Teamwork
- Commitment to our customers
- Respect for the individual
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Results-focused and action-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach market research and data analysis to inform product strategy and development?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you worked effectively with cross-functional teams to launch a new product?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Caterpillar Inc. values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their fit with the company's values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working with a large, global organization may present unique challenges in terms of communication, collaboration, and decision-making processes
- The role may require frequent travel, which could impact work-life balance
- The IC engine industry is subject to market fluctuations and regulatory changes, which may impact the product road map and strategy
- The role may require working with multiple stakeholders across various functions and locations, which could present challenges in terms of alignment and prioritization
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to navigate the unique challenges and complexities of working within a large, global organization and the IC engine industry.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other senior product marketing manager positions within the IC engine industry, but may offer more global influence and cross-functional collaboration opportunities due to Caterpillar's size and scope
- Compared to other industries, the IC engine industry is subject to unique regulatory requirements and market dynamics, which may impact the product road map and strategy
- Career paths within Caterpillar Inc. may offer more opportunities for growth and development within a large, global organization compared to smaller companies or startups
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role within the context of the IC engine industry and Caterpillar Inc.'s size and scope.
📝 Sample Projects
- Conducting a comprehensive market analysis to inform the product road map and strategy for a new line of large engines
- Developing and executing a go-to-market plan for a recently launched product, including sales tools, value messaging, and marketing tactics
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define and present a business case for a new product development project, including market research, competitive analysis, and financial projections
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects provided are intended to illustrate the types of responsibilities and initiatives that a senior product marketing manager might undertake within this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current product road map and strategy for our large engine portfolio, and how this role will contribute to its development and execution?
- How does the product marketing team collaborate with other functions, such as sales, product, and strategy, to ensure alignment and successful product launches?
- What are the most significant market trends and regulatory changes impacting the IC engine industry, and how does this role address them?
- How does Caterpillar Inc. support the professional development and career growth of its employees, particularly within the product marketing function?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with a large, global organization, and how does this role address them?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should prepare thoughtful and insightful questions to demonstrate their understanding of the role, the industry, and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through Caterpillar's careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant market research, data analysis, and product marketing experience
- Prepare examples of your market research skills, such as customer segmentation, competitive analysis, or market trend analysis
- Be ready to discuss your experience with product road mapping, strategy development, and new product development
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
