Karl H. Nitz
3509 Countryside Dr.
Johnsburg, IL 60051
1.847.431.8983
karl.nitz@motorolasolutions.com
I am a senior Product Manager leading the specification, development and market-introduction of
voice clients for handsets, mobile computers and smartphones enabling enterprises with
Telephony, Push-to-Talk and Text Messaging communications over their Wi-Fi networks.
• Proven ability to coordinate global teams comprised of internal stakeholders and Outside
Design & Manufacture (ODM) development partners.
• Experienced in performing key business tasks, including creating Product Description
specifications, Request for Quotes (RFQs), preparing Business Cases, presenting regular
project updates, supporting sales as a technical lead for customer presentations and visits, and
representing our products to consumers and industry professionals at trade-shows and
conventions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Expertise in system-level problem resolution.
• Fluent in German – written and spoken
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Motorola Solutions
Schaumburg, IL
Senior Product Planner
Sep 2010 – present
Leading the specification, development and market launch of software voice clients enabling IP
telephony, SMS and 2-way radio functionality for deployment on enterprise wi-fi handsets, mobile
computers and Android and Apple smartphones. Coordinating internal and external software
engineering development and verification testing of the clients within a matrixed business
organization.
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Develop Product Description and lead team to deliver clients as specified.
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Create business cases for product justification to senior management.
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Coordinate with the Global Marketing team to create messaging for our software
clients.
Motorola Mobile Devices - Companion Products
Libertyville, IL
Product Development Manager
Apr 2006 – Sep 2010
Lead the specification, development and market launch of Automotive Bluetooth Handsfree Carkits
and In-vehicle Smartphone Mounts with a globally diverse team for hardware/software
engineering, design verification testing, and manufacture with Asian-based ODM suppliers.
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Developed Product Description and led team to deliver design as specified.
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Created business case for product justification to senior management.
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Coordinated with the Global Marketing team to create region-targeted messaging
for our carkits in North America, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.
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Deliver technical business development presentations, carkit installations and
vehicle integration demonstrations on-site to develop new channel partners (Verizon, Toyota,
Volvo, Best Buy, Carmax, and others).
Motorola Automotive – IHF1000 Bluetooth Carkit
Deer Park, IL
Program Manager
Mar 2004 – Apr 2006
Managed the launch of Motorola Automotive group’s first product for re-entry into the consumer
products space – the IHF1000 Bluetooth Handsfree carkit with Speaker-Independent speech
recognition and fantastic hands-free quality. The IHF1000 system variants generated more than
$60M in sales, globally.
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Coordinated product development and launch across a global team of engineering,
reliability, and manufacturing stakeholders to achieve an on-time, Green launch with no
overrides as the first Automotive group product to use their new Launch Quality Management
system - dPLM.
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Supported business development efforts with on-site presentations, demo system
installations, installation guide development, integration harness specification, and project
updates. This led to businesses wins for this aftermarket carkit platform as an OEM accessory
for Toyota and Volvo vehicles, and as a line-fit solution for Aston Martin vehicles. A variant was
specified by Shanghai Volkswagen for a line-fit solution in VW vehicles in China, as well.
Motorola Automotive – Audi and VW Telematics
Deer Park and Elk Grove, IL
Program Manager
Jan 2000 – Feb 2004
Led a team from specification through launch of the first automotive emergency calling solution for
Audi and VW vehicles in the North American market. These systems were certified for use on the
OnStar emergency calling network and were launched to QS9000/TS-16949 Quality Standards per
OEM requirements.
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Worked directly with Audi/VW product management and engineers, remotely and
while on-site in Germany, to develop the product specifications, provide regular program
updates and act as a technical interface for the Motorola team.
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Managed product change requests and cost impact assessments to minimize
feature creep and insure compensation for additional efforts beyond the original project scope.
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Technical and management point of contact for internal manufacturing team
preparing product.
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Coordinated external audit and certification of Motorola development and
manufacturing facilities by Audi/VW Launch Quality Management.
Motorola Telematics & Automotive
Northbrook, IL
Electrical Engineer
Jun 1995 – Dec 1999
Anti-lock Brake, Traction Control and Telematics Control Unit design team member working on
electrical design; prototype assembly, preparation, shipping and billing; design and production
validation testing; factory preparation and launch; and system-level field testing.
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On-site applications engineer situated with the customer (Ford of Europe - Aug to
Dec 1999) in their UK design facility. Among other tasks, developed factory installation
procedures during on-site visits at Ford manufacturing plants in Germany and Spain.
Motorola Lighting, Inc. – Buffalo Grove, IL
Electrical Engineering Technician – Intern
Jun 1991 – May 1995
High-performance engineering team member in a start-up environment focused on bringing
Electronic Ballast products to market.
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Responsible for all Field Failure Analysis of warranty claim product.
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Maintained a Filemaker Pro database to track found failures through to resolution in design
and manufacturing.
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Created database forms and designed reports to update senior management on failure
trends. .
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ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS / HIGHLIGHTS / EDUCATION / INTERESTS
Motorola 6 Sigma Green Belt
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Managing Projects
TS-16949 Automotive QMS
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8D Problem Solving
Elmhurst Männerchor (2nd Tenor – •
Automotive Mobile Electronics
Integration
22yrs)
Camping and Outdoors
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Trustee - Village of Johnsburg
enthusiast
(2010-2011)
University of Illinois at Chicago
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Chicago, IL
May 1995