Business Unit Manager - RF and Microwave Remote Plasma Systems

Job Summary:

MKS Instruments, In Wilmington, MA, has an immediate opening for a Business Unit Manager for RF and microwave remote plasma systems used primarily for reactive gas wafer processing. This is a highly visible, leadership role within the company. Responsibilities will include: product line strategic direction, tactical execution and business management with the objectives of driving profitable growth in both Semi and non-semi markets. Direct reports include product managers or specialists, sales support, development and sustaining engineering.

Job Details:

Strategic Planning

Gather and analyze competitive information. Track and interpret implications of general market trends.

Participate in corporate strategy meetings as requested. Develop and periodically revise the Business Plan for the product line.

Drive strategic Product/Technology Roadmap activities, new product development priority, product positioning, and product obsolescence.

Determine priority for engineering projects and resource allocation.

Inbound Marketing and New Product Definition

Collect, analyze, and document customer requirements/opportunities for new products; translate information into market requirement statements used to drive the MKS product development process.

Develop new product specifications and manage trade-offs during development.

Visit customers to discuss trends in their needs, drivers and future requirements.

Outbound Marketing and Promotion

Responsible for product specific support and positioning at trade shows.

Manage and contribute to the content on the web site and printed literature from corporate marketing.

Manage and participate in the ongoing product training of Sales, Field Applications, and Customer Service.

Oversee and contribute to technical papers, applications notes, press releases and articles.

Visit customers to promote products, answer questions, identify opportunities.

Oversee and approve changes to the price list and catalog.

Manage the introduction of new products in the field (Beta sites, customer interaction, etc).

Manage and contribute to sales tools for product launches (presentations, competitive information, training materials).

Coordinate ongoing communications (e.g. weekly conference calls) with key account managers/customers.

Set/review customer-specific pricing (contract negotiation, review).

R&D Activities

Responsible for development of new products to meet evolving customer needs and expand market share.

Define and meet expectations for product specifications, schedule and cost.

Define staffing requirements and develop core technical competence and leadership.

Organizational, Interdepartmental, and Business Activities

Support sales forecasting with presentations, interaction, and forecast feedback at quarterly meetings.

Participate as an active member of key project teams and provide or ensure cross-functional leadership and management of development projects – including participants from quality, sales, service and operations.

Provide the primary factory focal point for working on customer, sales, service, quality and operation issues.

Report monthly on product line P&L, major customers, competitive activities, development projects, etc. Use this as the basis for developing and delivering executive business review presentations.

Qualifications:

B.S. degree with 5+ years of experience in the area of semiconductor capital equipment is essential; MS strongly preferred; Ph.D. in engineering or physical science is highly desirable along with MBA.

Must be an effective communicator (verbal and written) both within MKS and with customers. Must be able to make in-depth presentations

Travel approximately 25%