Product Line Manager – Automation and PLC Portfolio

About ABB

At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we'll give you what you need to make it happen. It won't always be easy, growing takes grit. But at ABB, you'll never run alone. Run what runs the world.

ABB Drive Products is a trusted provider of automation solutions across key industrial and commercial segments, including Machinery, HVAC, Water, and Food & Beverage. We deliver integrated bundles of Drives, Servos, and PLCs that are easy to integrate and fast to commission, helping customers improve efficiency and accelerate time to market.

About the Role

We are seeking a Product Line Manager to lead the strategic direction of our Automation and PLC portfolio, aligning business objectives with market demands. This senior, high-impact role reports directly to the Head of Global Product Management and is responsible for shaping global product strategy, driving innovation, and ensuring portfolio competitiveness and profitability. With ownership of roadmap and market positioning, this role is critical to achieving long-term growth and strategic business objectives.

Location

This role is open globally, but the preferred location for this role is Europe with proximity to our Centers of Expertise in Finland and Germany. The work model is hybrid.

Responsibilities

Lead Offering and Solution Strategy Creation

• Define and shape the Automation and PLC portfolio strategy based on business objectives and customer segmentation
• Translate market requirements into differentiated solutions, including PLC/IPC platforms, industrial communication systems, product bundles, and automation software
• Define competitive attributes and articulate a clear value proposition for our PLC and automation portfolio

Evaluation and Prioritization

• Own the product portfolio and development roadmap for PLC/IPC and automation solutions
• Prioritize investments to maximize value creation and shape a coherent portfolio, balancing short-term deliverables with long-term innovation
• Coordinate with R&D teams to align development priorities, budgets, and resource allocation for PLC/IPC hardware, firmware, and software enhancements

Business Landscape

• Analyze global market trends in industrial and machine automation, PLC/IPC technologies, and digitalization
• Track competitor strategies, emerging technologies (e.g., edge computing, AI-driven automation), and customer requirements
• Coordinate together with other product lines for product bundling solutions to our customers with ease of use and integration as core value

Lead Innovation

• Drive initiatives, including strategic partnerships and Start-up collaborations to create next-generation automation solutions, including advanced PLC/IPC architecture and integrated control systems

Lead Collaboration

• Foster collaboration across Centers of Excellence (Co Es) and business units to share best practices and accelerate strategy execution
• Guide and motivate cross-functional teams to deliver integrated automation solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in software engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Proven experience in product management of industrial PLCs and automation products
• Strong understanding of Drives, Servos, PLCs, IPC, and automation systems
• Background in working with OEMs and system integrators with automation solutions
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills
• Customer-focused mindset with strong analytical and strategic thinking
• Willingness to travel 30%–50% across Europe and globally
• Candidates must already hold valid work authorization for the chosen location

Collaboration and Leadership Competencies

Achieving

• Commercial focus and Result orientation – Align portfolio decisions with business growth and profitability

Leading

• Managing conflict – Resolve cross-functional challenges and drive consensus

Thinking

• Strategic thinking – Anticipate market trends and translate them into actionable strategies

Relating

• Collaboration – Build strong partnerships internally and externally to foster innovation

Self-managing

• Drive and persistence – Demonstrate resilience and commitment to achieving long-term objectives

Key Performance Indicators

• Roadmap Ownership for Product Line: Ensure timely delivery and alignment of the PLC and automation roadmap with strategic goals
• Product Line Business Results: Achieve revenue, margin, and growth targets for the automation and PLC portfolio
• Product Line Competitiveness & Profitability: Maintain market-leading position through innovation and cost optimization

Why ABB

We Want You to Bring Your Full Self to Work

Your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You'll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day. Join us. Be part of the team where progress happens, industries transform, and your work shapes the world. Run What Runs the World.

We Care

At ABB, we care about our people and their stories. We create safe, fair, equitable and inclusive working environments in which our people can succeed and develop, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or cultural, religious or social background. Diverse teams make us stronger. ABB is also committed to a high standard of integrity in everything we do.

We Grow

We help our people succeed and develop, and we empower them to create their own careers at ABB. Our benefits, reward and development programs encompass a wide array of offerings.

Working at ABB gives you the opportunity to contribute to a healthier and more prosperous world. Add to your story by joining a passionate team, focused on pushing the boundaries of technology to drive performance, shape new business models and find new ways of working that benefit our customers, partners and society. We want you to be proud of being part of ABB.

How to Apply

Do you want to shape the future, together with us? Get more insights into our recruitment process and find some helpful tips and tricks how to join the team. Make our story your story.

We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.abb.com to read more about us and learn about the impact of our solutions across the globe.