GM Product Planning (Automotive)

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Planning Strategy
   • Develop and execute the overall product planning strategy in line with business objectives and long-term growth plans.
     
   • Lead portfolio planning across existing and future vehicle models, ensuring the right products are positioned for the Malaysian market.
     
   • Evaluate market trends, customer preferences, competitor activities and emerging automotive technologies to identify product opportunities.
     
   • Work closely with regional/global headquarters to align local product requirements with global product strategies.
     
2. Product Portfolio & Lifecycle Management
   • Manage the product lifecycle from initial concept and market evaluation through launch, growth, facelift and phase-out.
     
   • Identify portfolio gaps and recommend new models, variants, specifications and features to strengthen market competitiveness.
     
   • Develop product positioning, target customer profiles and key selling propositions for each model.
     
   • Continuously assess product performance and recommend corrective actions or portfolio adjustments.
     
3. Market & Competitor Intelligence
   • Lead market research and analysis covering customer behaviour, market segments, competitor products, pricing and sales trends.
     
   • Monitor developments in EVs, hybrid vehicles, connected technologies and other automotive trends.
     
   • Translate market intelligence into actionable product recommendations and business strategies.
     
   • Establish a strong understanding of consumer needs across passenger and commercial vehicle segments.
     
4. Product Pricing & Commercial Planning
   • Develop product pricing strategies based on market positioning, competitor benchmarks, customer value and profitability objectives.
     
   • Work closely with Sales, Marketing and Finance teams to establish volume, revenue and profitability targets.
     
   • Evaluate product business cases, including pricing, specifications, volume potential, investment requirements and expected returns.
     
   • Monitor product profitability and recommend pricing or specification adjustments where required.
     
5. New Product & Model Launches
   • Lead product planning activities for new model introductions, facelifts, variants and major product updates.
     
   • Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure product specifications, positioning, pricing and launch strategies are aligned.
     
   • Work with regional/global product teams to localize product specifications based on market requirements.
     
   • Ensure all product launches are supported by clear commercial rationale and go-to-market objectives.
     
6. Cross-Functional & Regional Collaboration
   • Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Aftersales, Finance, Technical, Engineering and Supply Chain teams to ensure effective product execution.
     
   • Represent the local market in discussions with regional and global product planning teams.
     
   • Provide market feedback and local customer insights to influence future product development.
     
   • Lead and mentor the Product Planning team, building strong commercial and analytical capabilities.
     
7. Performance Monitoring & Strategic Reporting
   • Track product sales, market share, segment performance, pricing, profitability and customer feedback.
     
   • Prepare regular product performance reviews and strategic recommendations for senior management.
     
   • Develop medium- and long-term product portfolio roadmaps based on market and business opportunities.
     
   • Drive continuous improvement in product planning processes, tools and decision-making frameworks.
     

Requirements

Job Requirements:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Engineering, Automotive or a related discipline.
  
• 12–15+ years of relevant experience in product planning, product management, marketing, commercial strategy or business planning within the automotive industry.
  
• Proven experience in a senior managerial or leadership position, preferably managing a Product Planning/Product Management function.
  
• Strong experience in automotive OEM, distributor or automotive principal environments is highly preferred.
  
• Strong understanding of the Malaysian automotive market, including vehicle segments, customer behaviour, competitive landscape and dealership channels.
  

Technical & Commercial Skills

• Strong expertise in automotive product planning and portfolio management, including model lifecycle management and new product introduction.
  
• Strong commercial understanding of vehicle pricing, product positioning, specifications, volume planning and profitability.
  
• Ability to develop compelling business cases and make data-driven product recommendations.
  
• Strong market research and competitor intelligence capabilities.
  
• Good understanding of automotive retail, dealer networks, sales operations and go-to-market strategies.
  
• Knowledge of EV, hybrid and emerging automotive technologies would be an advantage.
  
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex market and commercial data into actionable strategies.
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and other business/data analysis tools.
  

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance customer needs with business profitability.
  
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior management and regional/global stakeholders.
  
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
  
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
  
• Highly analytical, market-driven and commercially oriented.
  
• Able to operate effectively in a matrix and multinational environment and manage stakeholders across different countries and functions.
  
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple product initiatives simultaneously.
  
• Willingness to travel regionally/internationally when required.