ABOUT VCC
VCC is a North American HMI component manufacturer with operations in Carlsbad, CA and Tijuana, MX. We design and manufacture panel mount LED indicators, switches, light pipes, sound devices, and related components sold through a world-class distribution channel and direct to OEMs in the industrial, aerospace, medical, and commercial markets. We are not a startup, we have 50 years of manufacturing history, but this augmented NPI program is new, ambitious, and being built now. This is a ground-floor opportunity on a well-resourced program.
WHAT THIS ROLE IS
Reporting to the Director of Product Management, the Associate Product Manager (APM) is responsible for the commercial success and long-term performance of assigned NPIs and product portfolio. This new role is responsible for everything that makes execution work — distributor content quality, competitive market positioning, SKU launch coordination, sell-through tracking, and NPI pipeline readiness.
This is a hands-on execution role with a clear growth path. The person who succeeds here will be the leading internal candidate for a global PM role when the portfolio reaches 2500+ SKUs and VCC continues to grow.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Distributor Content and Parametric Data
- Owns completeness and accuracy of all NPI product content at participating authorized distributors — parametric attributes, selection guides, application notes, and product imagery
- Enforces launch-ready content standards at every new SKU launch; no SKU goes live with incomplete parametric data
- Collaborates with Marketing and ensures technical datasheets, CAD files, images and/or other technical content are correctly assigned and uploaded at distribution partners
SKU Launch Coordination
- Maintains and owns the master NPI launch tracker across all active SKUs and pipeline
- Coordinates between Product Engineering, the Sourcing and Supplier Development Lead, and the Director to hit stocking timelines
- Tracks stocking confirmation, price file upload status, and distributor catalog activation for each SKU
- Ensures planned launch/go-live dates at distribution partners are successfully met
Product Information Management (PIM) and Marketing Support
- Creates and maintains NPI SKUs and active portfolio products in the PIM
- Ensures web and parametric search visibility for all new launch items
- Collaborates with Marketing to develop launch collateral, LinkedIn promotions, NPI landing pages, and distribution launch content
- Owns strategic product positioning and technical differentiation messaging with partners and clients
Sell-Through and Performance Tracking
- Build and maintain the NPI Performance Tracking Dashboard: distributor sell-in by SKU, reorder rate, customer count, investment vs. revenue traction
- Flag below-target stocking orders at internal reviews; surface early signals before the Director needs to ask
- Separates sell-in and sell-through clearly in all reporting
Cross Functional Team Coordination
- Supports Supply Chain’s RFQ process with key suppliers.
- Collaborates with Engineering to develop target items & tracks sample and/or prototype qualification process, datasheet creation, and quality/compliance validations across concurrent programs.
- Is the connective tissue between support cross-functions — coordinates weekly calls, flags & addresses roadblocks, and provides direction to move pipeline forward. The Director should not be chasing project status updates.
AI-Augmented Execution
- Uses company-approved AI solutions as primary productivity tools — Business case development, pricing strategy creation, MOQ and stocking recommendations, datasheet reviews, BOM template generation, price file automation, and distributor content creation
- Helps define and document internal AI workflows as the tooling deployment matures in Q3 2026
- AI fluency is a hard requirement; demonstrated application in a professional context is expected
What You Bring
REQUIRED
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field
- 2–3 years in OEM product management, product marketing and project coordination
- Proven record of launching technical products using the stage gate process
- Demonstrated AI fluency and strategic use of AI platform in work projects
- Strong financial, technical, analytical and problem-solving acumen
- Proficiency in Excel/Sheets, data tracking and reporting
- Excellent cross-functional mgmt., communication and presentation skills
SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS
- Background in electronic components, HMI components, sensors, encoders, switches or industrial electronics hardware
- Experience working with distributors, including but not limited to, DigiKey, Mouser, Master, Future, Arrow, RS, and Farnell/Newark
- Exposure to supplier qualification and/or sourcing processes
- Bilingual English/Spanish
WHY JOIN VCC?
- You’ll be joining a dynamic, experienced and world-class Team at an industry-leading organization
- Onsite Carlsbad, CA or Remote work are available for the right candidate
- Competitive base salary commensurate with professional experience
- Annual performance bonus tied to launch milestones and key established metrics
- Standard Benefits package: Health, Dental, Vision, 401(k) matching, paid holidays and PTO
- Additional growth opportunities as portfolio expands and financial targets are achieved
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Carlsbad, CA 92008
