What does a Product Manager do at GEZE, Ms Sommerer?
Yvonne Sommerer is responsible for everything needed to make our automatic swing doors a success. How does she do it? By cooperating closely with all locations, departments and trades. She handles a wide range of duties, while always keeping one thing in mind: namely, what our customers worldwide truly need.
Development and service throughout the product life cycle
Yvonne Sommerer and her team have their hands full with our range of automatic swing doors. © GEZE GmbH
From analysing which products and which functions are needed on the market, to development, and right up to market launch and ongoing support – Yvonne Sommerer has her hands full with our product range of automatic swing doors. Of course, she doesn’t do it alone. She cooperates closely with all of our departments to position both new and existing products on global markets in the best possible way. “My duties cover the entire product life cycle. I determine the product portfolio and define what our swing door solutions should be able to do. This requires solid expertise, the ability to ask the right questions, attentive listening, and a lot of organisational and communication skills” the Product Manager says.
When we at GEZE are thinking about a new swing door or new functions, it’s important to understand requirements in detail. We also define the target markets we want to appeal to, the countries we want to sell to, and what types of objects we would like to sell.
Yvonne Sommerer, Automatic swing door Product ManagerUnderstanding and evaluating product requirements
“When we at GEZE are thinking about a new swing door or new functions, it’s important to understand requirements in detail. We also define the target markets we want to appeal to, the countries we want to sell to, and what types of objects we would like to sell” Yvonne Sommerer explains. She speaks with the international subsidiaries and with selected customers to determine all of the above. In this way, the swing door expert learns about both sides' expectations for the future product, and can identify the different requirements in a targeted way. “We also do on-site workshops for this purpose. We have good international networks, and my contact persons know which information is important. The ideas customers bring to us range from general ideas about use, right up to detailed functional descriptions. Then, I think about what exactly the customer is asking for, how can we provide it, and who actually has this need: many people, a few, or no one?”
When designing new products and functions, the biggest challenge lies in finding out what customers really need – then implementing it together with development.
Yvonne Sommerer, Automatic swing door Product ManagerProduct development is teamwork
The fine-tuning: discussion with colleagues from the different departments. © GEZE GmbH
Then, Yvonne Sommerer takes all of the information she has collected back to Leonberg to record it in a structured requirements specification. To do so, she holds discussions with colleagues from many different areas. “This step is all about fine tuning: what hasn’t been formulated clearly yet? What information is still lacking? Once all of that is clarified, we apply for the project start, and I manage the first phase”. During that phase, the project team clarifies how the product can be implemented, and what budget is needed. Then the actual development work begins: “I am part of the project team, participate in a lot of coordination meetings, and provide professional support. Ultimately, the goal is to create the product I defined at the start of the process”.
What are some key requirements for working in Product Management at GEZE?
- English (business fluency)
- Good communication skills
- Assertiveness
- Ability to work well on a team
- Presentation and sales skills
- Understanding of business and technical contexts
- Strategic, analytic thinking skills
- Organisational skills
CURRENT VACANCIES AT GEZEBeing able to present and represent your ‘own’ product is just great. I’ve already worked with one product through to market readiness: the GEZE ActiveStop.
Yvonne Sommerer, Automatic swing door Product ManagerThe big moment: the market launch
Before the market launch of the product, there is still a lot to do. © GEZE GmbH
“And then, at a certain point, the product is ready for market launch” Yvonne Sommerer continues. “It’s really exciting to see how the product is finally received by the customer after all of that work”. She participates in the initial product presentations. Product management also handles training for the Sales department. “This is important because no one knows the new product better, of course, and because this is the only way to answer all of the underlying questions”. Then, Yvonne Sommerer supports the new swing door solution throughout the entire life cycle through portfolio management. “I'm always there when there are questions about our automatic swing doors that no other service level would be able to answer”.
Diverse job duties
Yvonne Sommerer loves her diverse job. © GEZE GmbH
Throughout the product life cycle, new requirements arise and are brought to product management. Yvonne Sommerer and her colleagues then decide whether something needs to be adjusted, or whether new functions need to be added. She is also involved in investigating any quality problems that come up, and considers what changes might be necessary. In addition, she is available to Marketing to answer their general questions on product classification, product data, or individual functions. “I deal with a whole range of different things. I have a really diverse job, lots of responsibility, even more freedom to act and trust – I truly love my work environment. I have great colleagues who work with me to handle any challenge – here in Leonberg and internationally. Things are never boring, since market requirements are always changing. You always have to stay up to date”.
I appreciate the great creative freedom I have and my strong team. ‘We are GEZE’ is not an empty phrase.
Yvonne Sommerer, Automatic swing door Product ManagerFrom internship to product management
The Munich-born manager’s career at GEZE started with an internship in 2012. “This multi-week internship was a mandatory part of my degree program in Industrial Engineering, with a focus in International Management. I learned the basics of turning, milling, and other production methods in the testing department”. She then stayed on as a student worker at GEZE, receiving a permanent position at GEZE in 2016 after completing her Bachelor’s degree. “The transition was so seamless that I was actually able to complete a project that was still left over from my time as a student worker as a brand-new Product Manager” Yvonne Sommerer remembers. The thirty year-old has been responsible for automatic swing doors since autumn 2020, and she is still excited about the diversity offered by her position. “And when I need a break from my products, I hop on my bike, go hiking, meet up with friends, or just enjoy the moment with a good meal”.
