Engineering Product Manager

JOIN A FAMILY BUSINESS THAT’S ON A ROLL

Bearings run in the Spungen family, four generations deep in the power transmission industry. We founded 4GEN Bearing in 2016, quickly earned a reputation as a supplier customers can count on, and now we’re gearing up for serious growth.

That’s where you come in. We’re looking for a Product Manager who loves getting hands-on, enjoys working with suppliers and customers, and wants to see their ideas make a real difference. No big-company bureaucracy here, just a tight team that moves fast and has fun doing it. As our product lines expand, your role can grow with them.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Product Manager will own 4GEN Bearing’s product lines: radial ball bearings, agricultural bearings, tapered roller bearings, and mounted units. The Product Manager is the link between our factories, our sales team, and our customers. This person makes sure the right products are built to the right specifications, priced to win, and supported in the field.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Product line management

• Own the product strategy, range, and lifecycle for radial, agricultural, tapered roller, and mounted unit bearings, from new introductions to phase-outs.

• Maintain accurate product data: part numbers, dimensions, load ratings, interchanges, catalogs, and technical literature.

• Set and review pricing in partnership with sales and finance, balancing margin, cost, and competitive position.

• Track sales, margin, and inventory performance by product line and recommend actions.

Factory and supply chain coordination

• Serve as the primary technical and commercial contact with our manufacturing partners and factories.

• Translate customer and market requirements into clear specifications, drawings, and quality requirements.

• Lead new product development and sampling with factories, including first-article and PPAP-style approvals where required.

• Work with quality and purchasing on cost reduction, capacity, lead times, and corrective actions.

Sales support

• Train the sales team on product features, applications, and competitive advantages.

• Support quotes, RFQs, and cross-references against competitor part numbers.

• Provide sales tools: product guides, application notes, and competitive comparisons.

Customer engagement

• Visit customers, OEMs, and distributors to understand applications and solve technical problems.

• Lead failure analysis and warranty investigations together with quality and the factories.

• Gather voice-of-customer input to guide product improvements and new offerings.

Market analysis

• Monitor competitors, pricing, and trends in key markets such as agriculture, power transmission, and industrial equipment.

• Identify gaps in the product range and build business cases for new products.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering field.

• 3+ years of experience in bearings, power transmission, or a related mechanical components industry, in product management, application engineering, or a similar role.

• Solid knowledge of bearing design and application: load ratings, life calculations, tolerances, fits, clearances, sealing, and lubrication.

• Ability to read and create engineering drawings and specifications, including GD&T.

• Strong communication and project leadership skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) and ERP experience (Microsoft Dynamics is a plus).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience with tapered roller bearings, mounted units (pillow block and flange housings), or agricultural bearings such as disc harrow and hub units.

• Experience working with manufacturing partners, especially overseas factories.

• Knowledge of ISO, ABMA, and ANSI bearing standards and quality systems such as ISO 9001 or IATF 16949.

• Experience with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and bearing calculation tools.

• Understanding of basic financial and accounting principles.

• Ability to speak Chinese.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Customer Visits: Domestic travel as needed to support customers, distributors, and the sales team.

• Factory Visits: Possibly one international trip per year to our manufacturing partners.

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary

• Flexible hours

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k)

• Short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), and life insurance

• Generous PTO policy and paid holidays