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Product Group Manager - Variable Speed Technology

ABB · New Berlin, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you discontinued or consolidated products. How did you handle sales and customers who were upset?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage the people side of portfolio cuts without losing customers.

Tell me about a time you held a cross-functional team accountable when none of them reported to you.

What they are checking: Whether they can influence engineering, operations and sales without formal authority.

Tell me about a product decision you made that turned out wrong. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about mistakes and adjust how they make product calls.

What would you do

Engineering says a feature you want will add six months. Sales says customers won't wait. How do you decide?

What they are checking: Whether they can make a product call between competing teams using market evidence.

About the work

You'd drive strategic simplification of the NEMA motors variable speed portfolio. How would you decide which products to cut?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh revenue, margin, customer impact and complexity cost before removing products.

Walk me through how you write a market requirements document versus a product requirements document.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the difference between defining the market need and specifying what engineering builds.

How do you gather competitive intelligence on variable speed motor offerings without relying on rumor?

What they are checking: Whether they have real methods like teardowns, pricing data, customer interviews and published specs.

What SLA metrics would you track for this portfolio, and what would you do if they slipped?

What they are checking: Whether they understand service-level measures like lead time and quote response and how to act on them.

How do you see the market for motors paired with variable speed drives changing over the next five years?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real view of efficiency rules, integrated motor-drive trends and customer needs.

How would you measure product vitality, and what would make you push for a new product versus refreshing an old one?

What they are checking: Whether they can judge when innovation is worth the investment versus incremental updates.

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The full job description

As published by ABB.

At ABB , we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world. This position reports to: Global Business Line Leader - Material Movement & Specialty Solutions __ The work model for the role is: Hybrid #LI-Hybrid Your role and responsibilities: The Product Group Manager – Variable Speed Technology will be responsible for driving strategic simplification of the product portfolio by maintaining service level agreement (SLA) metrics and standard processes, and leading market and competitive intelligence efforts. This role will also be responsible for creating market and product requirement documents to support new product innovation and vitality initiatives. The role will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, and Sales, to keep teams accountable and achieve optimal business outcomes. Our Team Dynamics Our teams support each other, collaborate, and never stop learning. Everyone brings something unique, and together we push ideas forward to solve real problems. Being part of our team means your work matters - because the progress we make here creates real impact out there. You will be mainly accountable for: • Drive NEMA Motors Variable Speed Technology portfolio strategy and product line simplification by optimizing SKU rationalization, portfolio segmentation, margin performance, and alignment with customer and business growth objectives. • Establish and improve product management operating processes through SLA governance, standardized workflows, visual management, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, and accountability. • Lead market intelligence and strategic planning efforts by analyzing customer needs, industry trends, competitive dynamics, and market opportunities to guide product positioning, pricing, and investment decisions. • Champion innovation and team performance by leading product managers, developing market-driven product requirements, supporting new product development initiatives, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to deliver business results. Qualifications for the role: • Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 12 years progressive experience OR Associate’s Degree with minimum 14 of progressive experience in B2B product management, product marketing, commercialization, or portfolio management within industrial manufacturing. Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline – preferred. • Deep knowledge of motors or rotating equipment, with experience in OEM, HVAC, pump, compressor, or other motor-driven equipment applications – preferred. • Demonstrated success in product portfolio strategy, market analysis, new product commercialization, and leading cross-functional initiatives that drive business growth and profitability. • Strong business and financial acumen with exceptional stakeholder management, leadership, communication, and influence skills. • Proficiency with product management and business tools, like SAP, Salesforce, Power BI, AI-enabled market intelligence platforms; Lean 6 Sigma, PMP and/or Product Management certifications are a plus. • Candidates must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US. More about us: ABB’s NEMA Motors Division is the global leading electric NEMA motors manufacturer. With more than 4,500 employees across the globe and seven manufacturing locations that produce more than 1.6 million motors every year, the division powers its customers from many industries with safe, reliable energy-efficient and effective solutions. NEMA Motors Division is a trusted leader with the shortest lead time and the broadest modularized product offering. What's in it for you We want you to bring your full self to work—your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You’ll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day. ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their - sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762. Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to US-AskHR@abb.com . Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner. ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on “Candidate/Guest” to learn more Health, Life & Disability • Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan. • Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus • Vision benefit • Company paid life insurance (2X base pay) • Company paid AD&D (1X base pay) • Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums • Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid • Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid. Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay. • Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance • Paid Parental Leave • Employee Assistance Program • Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption • Employee discount program Retirement • 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions • Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP) Time off ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy. #ABBCareers #RunwithABB #Runwhatrunstheworld Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences. Ready to make an impact? Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.

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