Product Development Manager

Durabuilt Windows and Doors Inc; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian manufacturer is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead the design and implementation of product development processes. This role is crucial in managing the entire lifecycle of product development and facilitating cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in product development, strong communication skills, and a strategic mindset to optimize processes and drive market insights.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in product development or project management.
• Experience implementing a stage-gate process.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of product development processes.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment.
• Manage product pipeline and project execution.

Skills

Product development

Project management

Communication skills

Process design

Market research

Tools

Microsoft Project

Jira

Miro

Job description

Durabuilt Windows and Doors is seeking an experienced Product Development Manager to lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the stage-gate product development process. This role is pivotal in managing the entire lifecycle of product development—from idea to prototype, launch, and beyond. The manager will serve as the central facilitator, ensuring clarity, accountability, and momentum across cross-functional teams.

The role involves overseeing initiatives such as new innovations, pass-through products, or modifications to existing offerings. Responsibilities include engaging the right stakeholders at appropriate times, making informed decisions, and maintaining process discipline and efficiency. The manager will implement the product development framework, document stage objectives, and own the product development lifecycle.

This position is ideal for someone with extensive project and product management experience who thrives in ambiguity, possesses strong communication skills, and can bring structure to complex processes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Product Development Process Implementation

• Own the implementation of Durabuilt’s stage-gate process (idea → concept → prototype → build/execute → launch → post-launch).
• Define and document objectives, stakeholders, decision points, and success metrics for each stage.
• Ensure process discipline across teams and projects.

1. Facilitate Cross-Functional Alignment

• Act as the primary facilitator among sales, marketing, R&D, operations, and leadership teams.
• Lead key meetings, ensuring clear inputs, owners, and outputs for each stage.
• Create visibility and accountability to track progress.

1. Manage Product Pipeline & Project Execution

• Maintain a master tracker of all active initiatives.
• Ensure projects pass through gates smoothly, resolving bottlenecks proactively.
• Coordinate resources and timelines for realistic execution.

1. Drive Market and Customer Insight

• Own competitive and market intelligence across product lines.
• Work with Sales to conduct benchmarking, market research, and customer interviews.
• Translate insights into actionable product design and messaging.
• Partner with Marketing on positioning and go-to-market strategies.
• Manage customer feedback loops pre- and post-launch.

1. Optimize and Govern the System

• Build and refine documentation, dashboards, and workflows.
• Track KPIs and lead retrospectives for process improvement.

1. Support Strategic Product Management

• Partner with leadership to assess and prioritize product ideas.
• Contribute to long-term product planning and identify process gaps.

Qualifications & Skills

• 8+ years in product development, project management, or product operations, preferably in construction, manufacturing, or building materials.
• Experience implementing or owning a stage-gate process.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills to lead cross-functional meetings and influence stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and systems-minded with scalable process design experience.
• Deep industry awareness and experience with customer research and competitive analysis.
• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Miro, PLM).
• Experience with physical product development is an asset.
• Bonus: Exposure to product lifecycle management frameworks.

Why Join Us?

Durabuilt is a fast-growing Canadian manufacturer shaping future products across residential and commercial segments. This high-impact role offers cross-functional leadership opportunities to help a 700-person organization scale its innovative ideas with discipline and purpose.

About Us

Our values are at the core of everything we do!

• Innovative: Think ahead to stay ahead.
• Driver: Stay hungry and act with urgency.
• Ownership: No excuses. 100% accountability.
• Caring: For employees, partners, and the community.
• Individual: We work with great people and expect a lot from them.

Established in 1988 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Durabuilt is one of Western Canada’s largest window and door manufacturers, recognized among Canada’s Best Managed Companies—driven by our innovative manufacturing, design, and dedicated people.