Associate Product Manager

Genuine Comfort; Markham; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HVAC distributor in York Region is seeking an Associate Product Manager to support product initiatives aligned with strategic goals. The role involves managing product development, ensuring compliance, and conducting market research. Ideal candidates will have a background in product management, strong analytical skills, and an understanding of HVAC concepts. This full-time position offers a mix of on-site and remote work.

Benefits

Career advancement opportunities

Hands-on experience with product lifecycle

Dynamic and collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Experience in product management or coordination within HVAC or technical sectors.
• Understand basic HVAC/mechanical concepts.
• Ability to analyze data and provide actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Manage Vendor-Led and Collaborative Product Developments.
• Oversee product compliance and certifications.
• Create and maintain product-related content.

Skills

Product management experience

Project coordination

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Adaptability

Education

Experience in HVAC or commercial products

Tools

Monday.com

QuickBooks

Job description

Who we are

Founded in 2010, Genuine Comfort is a leading distributor of Air Conditioners (AC) and Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) across Canada & Mid-North USA. We are dedicated to “Delivering Comfort Consistently” to hospitality, commercial, and multi-family markets. We accomplish this through exceptional product availability, local warehousing, best-in-industry warranty and a dedication to on-time error-free delivery of room cooling products. Our impact is felt in hundreds of thousands of apartments and hotel rooms, with a visionary goal to surpass 60,000 units sold annually by 2030. Over the last four years, we have grown through strategic acquisitions of proven industry players, increased our product capacity and lineup, expanded our reach and distribution capabilities, have been featured multiple times in the Globe and Mail's Canada's fastest-growing companies list and surpassed our 2023 vision 26 months ahead of schedule.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director of Product, we are hiring an Associate Product Manager (APM). The mission of the APM is to support the development and execution of product initiatives that align with Genuine Comfort’s strategic goals.

As our new APM, you will manage Vendor-Led and Collaborative Product Developments, ensuring specifications, compliance standards, and timelines are met. By coordinating market research, facilitating prototype testing, and analyzing after-sales feedback, you will ensure products meet customer needs, adhere to industry regulations, and contribute to the company’s overall objectives. You will maintain quality control, assist with documentation and research to create a strong product-market fit, and provide technical support across departments, including sales, marketing, operations, finance, and customer support.

This is a full-time position, working four days on-site with the option to work one day remotely.

Who you are

You are a driven and adaptable product professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments. You take initiative, move projects forward confidently, and handle ambiguity with ease. Comfortable juggling multiple priorities, you combine analytical rigour with practical problem-solving, turning research and data into actionable insights. Collaborative and communicative, you clearly share updates, elevate issues when necessary, and foster strong relationships with both internal teams and external vendors. You learn quickly, embrace challenges, and consistently pursue better ways to achieve results, making an impact across the full product lifecycle.

What is in it for you

Impact and influence. You will play a critical role in shaping and supporting the product lifecycle — from concept to after-sales — ensuring products meet compliance, quality, and customer expectations. Your insights and execution will directly influence product-market fit and customer satisfaction. Your work will directly shape the success of the product portfolio.

Innovation and exposure. You will be part of a team that values creativity, rigour, and continuous improvement. You will work with every major department, giving you a 360° view of how products succeed in the market and how business decisions are made. From contributing to new product innovations to driving after-sales quality control, you will wear multiple hats and see the full product lifecycle, not just one slice of it.

Career advancement. This is an ideal opportunity for someone eager to grow into a senior product role. You will gain hands-on experience with compliance standards, prototype testing, market research, and cross-functional collaboration, building the foundation for a long-term career in product management.

What you will do

• Product development. You will manage Vendor-Led (VPD) and Collaborative Product Developments (CPD) approved by the Director of Product. You will track vendor progress, validate prototypes, and capture/manage tasks in Monday.com (or an equivalent platform). You will take decisive action even when all information isn’t perfectly defined.
• Compliance. You will oversee product compliance and certifications (AHRI, Energy Star, ETL, UL, CSA), ensuring timely applications and accurate documentation. You will monitor regulatory updates (e.g., refrigerant transitions, safety codes) to ensure all products meet current standards.
• Product knowledge management. You will create and maintain all product-related content, including spec sheets, manuals, submittals, high-resolution product images, and exploded parts views. You will maintain product information in QuickBooks in accordance with established standards. You will design and deliver product training presentations, update and maintain Guru cards, and provide technical assistance across departments. You will maintain high accuracy while completing tasks efficiently; avoid overthinking simple updates.
• After-sales quality control. You will work with operations on product clear-outs (sell/scrap decisions) and review damaged items for resolution. You will manage the After-Sales QC process, performing root cause analyses on recurring or high-impact issues. You will collaborate with vendors on corrective actions and secure compensation for defective products. You will retain customer satisfaction by driving quick and effective solutions. You will handle quality issues calmly and practically, escalating clearly when needed.
• Market research and analysis. You will research competitor products, pricing, features, and positioning. You will conduct customer and market research (surveys, interviews, secondary data) to identify needs, pain points, and trends. You will provide insights to support Strategic Product Developments (SPD) and innovation opportunities. You will move research forward independently, even when inputs are unclear.
• Product testing and evaluation. You will perform physical testing and review of products, including prototype and production models (e.g., PTAC units). You will evaluate performance by turning on units, testing displays and thermostat integration, reviewing aesthetics and part fit, and performing noise testing with handheld instruments. You will document findings in reports and escalate issues to vendors for resolution. You will report findings transparently, including any issues or failures, without softening the message.
• Warranty support and coverage. You will be fully trained in warranty and support processes to cover during the absence of the Warranty Lead. You will handle warranty tickets independently when required, ensuring SLA standards are met. You will function confidently as a middle-point, gathering information and communicating resolutions even when not the technical expert.

What you bring

• The experience. You have experience in product management or product coordination, ideally within the HVAC, appliance, or other commercial product sectors with technical details. You are comfortable coordinating across internal teams and external vendors, managing multiple product initiatives simultaneously, and contributing to the full product lifecycle. You take initiative, drive momentum, and confidently manage ambiguity.
• The technical knowledge. You understand basic HVAC/mechanical concepts (compressors, airflow, heating/cooling cycles, thermostats, filters, vents) and are comfortable learning new product categories. You have a proactive approach to quality control and issue resolution, including root cause analysis, prototype testing, and compliance oversight. Familiarity with AHRI, Energy Star, UL, CSA, or ETL standards is a plus.
• The analytical and project coordination skills. You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to track tasks in project management tools (e.g., Monday.com). You can manage product documentation, compliance files, and technical resources with accuracy. You analyze data and research independently, providing actionable insights that move projects forward.
• The communication and collaboration. You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, can explain technical concepts clearly, and work effectively with cross-functional teams and external vendors. You communicate risks and uncertainties openly, foster positive relationships, and stay calm under pressure.

Why join

With a developed and cohesive leadership team and a robust entrepreneurial operating system, we are small but mighty, with the internal structure and processes to support our growth. Every action we take is focused on gaining traction every day, being held accountable to our objectives, and communicating openly so that we are all on the same page and in alignment with our vision. Our commitment to our people and our mission ensures that those who share our passion for growing are recognized and rewarded. This is a place where everyone is equipped with the support and the autonomy to make decisions and to learn from mistakes. Your contributions will directly influence our journey, allowing you to move the needle, innovate to meet challenges and achieve our collective goals.

If you have 70% of what we’re looking for, express your interest here.

Please contact us at [e-mail] and let us know what accommodations or assistance we can provide you during the application process.

What you can expect from our interview process

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and the company.
• A 30 minute virtual interview with the Director of Product and the COO to share more about your experience and career history.
• An in-person interview with the Director of Product and the CEO (who is remote). This is a chance to dive deeper into your career path and technical skills as well as complete an initial Criteria assessment.
• A Kolbe assessment and reference checks

At Genuine Comfort we are committed to hiring the best qualified candidates that align with our company core values regardless of culture, race, disability or gender.