Product Manager

Location: 

Haag, St. Gallen, CH

Employment Type:  Permanent

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Product Manager

VAT is seeking an experienced Product Manager to drive strategy and performance for a dedicated semiconductor product portfolio. The role covers the full product lifecycle, from development to phase-out, with a strong focus on market-driven innovation. The ideal candidate combines deep semiconductor expertise with business acumen and the ability to translate customer needs into impactful strategies.

 

Responsibilities

  • Support the sales team in addressing all technical and operational requirements, ensuring seamless communication with the customer (an OEM company) and effective problem resolution.
  • Monitor profitability of the OEM account and derive measures in order to sustain and increase the profitability.
  • Conduct and manage CIP and value engineering projects of customer products including efforts to achieve the required annual cost down targets.
  • Drive the implementation of corporate strategies across a global, cross-functional, matrixed team.
  • Analyze the technical roadmap of OEM to identify current and future product needs, ensuring the protection and expansion of VAT’s global market share. Monitor SEMI market developments and requirements which influence the future of semiconductor product solutions.
  • Lead customization and industrialization efforts, maintaining strict adherence to technical standards. Prepare comprehensive documentation for customers, including manuals and data sheets, in compliance with European machinery directives.
  • Manage changes within the supply chain, manufacturing, and assembly processes, ensuring alignment with change management protocols (e.g., CE!, CEx, and POR).
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive product innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

 

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in sciences, engineering, or a related field, with specialization in semiconductor engineering highly preferred, PhD is advantageous.
  • Additional degree in economics and / or marketing or successful track record in a commercial position is advantageous.
  • Extensive experience in product and account management within matrix organizations.
  • Proven success in sales and customer relationship management, particularly in B2B component settings within the Semiconductor industry.
  • Exceptional strategic, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with a strong background in business development.
  • Fluent in English; proficiency in German is highly desirable.
  • Ability to translate technical requirements into innovative strategies that align with business objectives.
  • APQP and PPA process knowledge in the automotive industry is preferred.
  • 15% international travel required

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.