Overview
The Product Data Management specialist is responsible for ensuring completeness, accuracy, and governance of product data throughout the vehicle development lifecycle. Operating at the intersection of Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Quality, this role ensures that product data is consistent, compliant, and available to all stakeholders across the Scout Motors Inc. ecosystem.
The Product Data Manager plays a key role in enabling digital product development, supporting PDM/PLM processes, and ensuring seamless data flow to downstream systems such as BOM management, homologation, sourcing and testing.
What you’ll do
Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:
Product Data Governance & Quality
- Establish and maintain governance standards for product data across all systems and platforms (aligned with Scout Motors Inc. methods and toolchains).
- Ensure completeness, consistency, and accuracy of product data throughout the development process (aligned to data‑product principles).
- Define and enforce naming conventions, release logic, and change‑management rules.
- Drive data quality KPIs and continuous improvement in collaboration with Engineering and IT.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Engineering, PDM, R&D, IT, Manufacturing) to ensure a unified understanding of product data structures and requirements—consistent with VW’s cross‑functional product governance approach.
- Translate business requirements into data structures and system configurations.
- Support teams in resolving data‑related issues and preventing recurrence.
Product Data Lifecycle Management (PDM/PLM)
- Maintain product structures, metadata, and configuration logic across PLM systems.
- Ensure proper data flow across development stages—from concept to series production—aligned with Scout Motors Inc. standards.
- Support BOM creation, configuration management, and release processes.
Data‑Driven Process Optimization
- Analyze data usage, system behavior, and downstream impacts to identify process improvements (aligned with data‑product iterative cycles).
- Support digitalization projects and contribute to the transformation toward model‑based and data‑centric engineering.
- Drive simplification of PDM and engineering data processes.
Decision Support & Reporting
- Provide analytics and insights to improve product‑development decision making—reflecting the role of data product managers in guiding decisions through data.
- Prepare dashboard reports on data quality, process adherence, and change impact.
- Support audits, reviews, and release committees with accurate and complete data.
Change & Configuration Management
- Partner closely with Product Change Management to ensure that changes are reflected accurately across product data sets.
- Maintain traceability between requirements, design data, BOMs, and configurations.
Location & Travel Expectations:
- This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Novi, Michigan.
- This role requires daily attendance in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events.
- Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.
What you’ll bring
We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related technical field.
- 8+ years of experience in Product Data Management, PLM, Data Governance, or Engineering in an automotive or industrial environment.
- Experience working with enterprise PLM/PDM systems (e.g., Teamcenter, 3DX, VW Group‑specific systems nice to have).
- Minimum of High School Diploma, GED or equivalent required for all roles at Scout Motors, Inc.
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of PLM/PDM processes and data structures.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision‑making (a core data‑product skill).
- Familiarity with configuration management and BOM logic.
- Knowledge of automotive development processes and release standards (e.g., VW Group processes nice to have).
Soft Skills
- Strong cross‑functional communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
- Ability to bridge technical and business requirements.
- Analytical mindset with a structured, process‑driven approach.
- Proactive problem‑solving, ownership mentality, and continuous‑improvement orientation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with VW Group digital tools, PDM environments
- Familiarity with Agile ways of working
- Knowledge of data governance frameworks and product‑data compliance.
- Experience in product‑configuration logic, variant management, or homologation data support.
What you'll gain
The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up. This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation. In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:
- Competitive insurance including:
- Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
- 401(k) program with:
- An employer match and immediate vesting
- Generous Paid Time Off including:
- 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
- 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
- Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
- Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave
Pay Transparency
This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.
Initial base salary range = $130,000.00 - $160,000.00
Internal leveling code: IC8
