Director of Product Management

Director of Product ManagementAt Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we've been doing just thatour technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital, WD, and WD_BLACK brands.We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world's biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.Today's exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.Job DescriptionWe are seeking a Director of Product Management to lead our efforts in building deep relationships with key customers and driving the adoption of cutting-edge storage technologies. This role focuses on understanding customer needs, demonstrating the value of storage-enhancing host software, and helping customers realize tangible benefits and return on investments (ROI).This position requires a strong background in enterprise storage, significant experience with cloud environments, and exceptional skills in customer advocacy. You will be part of a customer-focused team of professionals dedicated to delivering impactful solutions and driving customer success.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESBuild and nurture deep relationships with strategic customers, understanding their needs and motivations.Drive customer adoption of storage-enhancing host software by demonstrating its value, ROI, and impact on their organizationAct as the primary advocate for customers, ensuring their feedback and needs are clearly understood and addressed.Develop and execute a product roadmap that addresses customer challenges and delivers profitable, market-leading solutions.Develop and deliver compelling presentations to customer stakeholders, showcasing the benefits of new technologies and approaches.Collaborate with customers to identify opportunities for improving their operations and solving storage-related challenges.Provide guidance on tradeoffs and strategies, ensuring customers make informed decisions that align with their goals.Lead a team of customer-facing experts, ensuring they are equipped to deliver exceptional service and insightsConduct executive-level meetings with customer leadership, fostering trust and alignment.Serve as a thought leader, representing the company in discussions about storage technology trends and future needs.QualificationsREQUIREDEnterprise storage expertise with a strong foundation in either HDD or SSD technologies. If no HDD experience, extensive interaction with enterprise SSDs and cloud environments is required.Cloud experience: Deep understanding of how storage integrates with cloud environments and its role in enterprise systemsProven ability to articulate and quantify the value of software solutions, including ROI and organization benefits.Customer obsession: A relentless focus on understanding and addressing customer needs.Strategic situational awareness: Ability to decipher unspoken customer needs, synthesize insights, and uncover opportunities.Excellent presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts for diverse audiences.Experience running executive-level meetings and engaging with customer leadership to build trust and influence decisions.Strong collaboration skills, working effectively with customers and internal teams to deliver shared goals.Demonstrated ability to balance technical understanding with a focus on business outcomes.Leadership experience, with a proven track record of leading customer-facing teams to deliver exceptional results.Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage time effectively in a dynamic environment.PREFERRED10+ years of work experience5+ years of team leadershipTechnical degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Mechanical EngineeringMBA or equivalent experience is an assetSKILLSA customer first mindset with a passion for solving enterprise storage challenges.Ability to connect technical solutions with business benefits, demonstrating clear ROI to customer stakeholders.Expertise in building trust-based relationships with senior executives and decision makers.Exceptional listening skills and the ability to simplify complex problems into actionable insights.A team-oriented approach, fostering collaboration and mutual success.