Product Manager - Industrial Lubricants

Idemitsu Lubricants America is seeking a Product Manager to lead an industrial product portfolio with a hands-on, customer-facing approach. In this onsite role in Novi, MI, you will help commercialize new product development, optimize existing formulations, and ensure the product lineup stays aligned with market needs. You will also provide technical support to sales through field trials, troubleshooting, training, and development of technical marketing materials.

What you’ll do

• Own assigned product lines from strategic planning through tactical execution.
• Support marketing strategy development by identifying new markets for existing products, developing new products for market needs, and recommending actions to improve profitability.
• Define market requirements and identify relevant technologies for current and future products by participating in industry consortiums, engaging suppliers and consulting firms, and gathering insights from customer field applications.
• Secure internal approvals and support expansion of assigned products into additional ILA sales markets.
• Coordinate cross-functional support teams including R&D, Development, Engineering, and Marketing Communications to develop materials and formulations that meet market requirements.
• Lead cross-functional product commercialization with R&D, Quality, Sales, Procurement, Production Control, Regulatory, Japanese headquarters, suppliers, and other stakeholders to keep projects on schedule.
• Maintain professional customer relationships and support timely issue resolution.
• When customers raise quality issues, support the sales team with appropriate actions to help resolve cases and preserve company image.
• Conduct product training for customers, Idemitsu associates, and industrial distributors.
• Support direct and distributor sales forces on product, application, and technical aspects to help customers choose Idemitsu products.
• Provide benchmark data analysis comparing Idemitsu-branded products with competitor products.
• Support creation of product specification sheets and marketing literature.

What you’ll bring

• BS/BA with a technical bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 5+ years of industrial lubricant and/or related industry experience.
• 5+ years proven experience in product management, project management, or sales.
• Certified Lubricants Specialist is a plus.
• Strong capability with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Salesforce CRM, and Outlook email.
• Ability to conduct product and program presentations to executives and customers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment requirements and applications.
• Expert knowledge across industrial lubricant categories including hydraulic oils, way oils, industrial gear oils, air/natural gas compressor and engine oils, cleaners, metalworking oils, rust preventative oils, high-temperature chain oils, turbine oils, process oils, wind turbine lubricants, heat transfer oils, quench oils, seal oils, gas and diesel engine oils, specialty greases, and lubricant maintenance services such as used oil analysis.
• In-depth knowledge of industrial lubricant product development.
• Ability to process information logically, follow ethical business practices, and develop independent solutions.
• Leadership mindset with analytical, planning, and organizational skills, collaborative decision-making, emotional intelligence, global perspective, and a positive attitude.
• High self-motivation and strong time management, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of sales planning, project management, product development, pricing analysis, and pricing strategy, along with market research, marketing, strategic planning, and sales practices.
• Ability to research new markets, support new business strategy development, and work effectively independently and in a team environment.

How you’ll work

• Use sales tools and deliver technical and sales guidance through coaching and training, including sharing negotiation expertise.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, responsibility, and accountability while supporting sales planning and customer-focused proposals aligned with sales strategies.