Associate Product Manager
The Associate Product Manager at Confidential Client supports and leads projects within the Small Project Paints segment, managing product lifecycle activities from ideation to launch and post-launch analysis. This role involves strategic planning, market research, cross-functional collaboration, and driving new product development to enhance and grow the product portfolio in a hybrid work environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, PR, Advertising & Marketing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
Confidential Client is seeking an Associate Product Manager to support the Small Project Paints segment. This is an entry-level, full-time role based in Vernon Hills, IL with a hybrid schedule (two remote days per week). You will be a strategic partner to product leadership while owning discrete projects from concept through commercialization, including go-to-market activities, packaging updates, and data-driven performance analysis.
What You’ll Do
- Support the product management team and lead assigned projects, including product enhancements, competitive research, and go-to-market initiatives.
- Assist in managing the product lifecycle — ideation, development, launch, and post-launch analysis.
- Drive new product development activities and coordinate cross-functional teams (Creative, R&D, Operations, Sales, Finance).
- Design, develop, launch, and support product campaigns and merchandising.
- Collaborate with Creative to ensure packaging and visual presentation meet brand and commercial objectives.
- Conduct market research and market intelligence to understand users, applications, competition, and trends.
- Analyze data and insights (Power BI and other reporting tools) to form product recommendations and track performance.
- Run stage-gate evaluations for new product opportunities and support commercialization processes.
- Monitor portfolio profitability and recommend strategies to grow existing product lines.
- Define product positioning, features, unique selling propositions, and pricing strategies.
- Travel approximately 5% annually for customer meetings and trade shows.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
- 3+ years of brand- or product-related experience (consumer packaged goods preferred).
- Familiarity with product commercialization, stage-gate governance, and documentation practices.
- Understanding of retail, independent paint/hardware, and distribution business models.
- Experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools to analyze and present data.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; able to work with Operations, Finance, Sales, R&D, and Insights.
- Self-starter mindset with demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
- Excellent communication, organization, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking; comfortable digesting complex information.
- Creative problem-solver who adapts in a fast-paced environment.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $75,000–$95,000 per year (bonus eligible).
- Full-time, permanent position.
- Hybrid work model (two remote days per week).
- Benefits available after employment eligibility period, including medical, dental, life, disability, business travel insurance, flexible spending accounts, EAP, stock purchase opportunities, paid time off and parental leave.
- 401(k) with company match after eligibility; pension/retirement plan vesting per company policy.
- 9 paid holidays plus floating holidays; vacation accrual as described by the employer.
Additional Details
- Location: Vernon Hills, IL (onsite/hybrid).
- Travel: ~5% annually.
- Employment type: Full-time / Permanent.
- Hiring organization: Confidential Client (via Careertakes).
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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