Director, Product Management

Coherent Corp.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is seeking a seasoned Product Manager to advance our optical business. You will shape the product strategy, own the roadmap, and collaborate with Sales, R&D, and Marketing to deliver high-value offerings.

The role requires strong knowledge of disaggregated optical line systems and coherent modem technologies, with a track record of delivering successful products. Hybrid work and global collaboration are common in this role.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of optical networking industry experience
• Bachelor's degree in engineering; MBA or advanced degree is a plus
• Strong understanding of optical line system and coherent modem/pluggable technologies preferred
• Excellent communication, leadership, and strategic analysis skills

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate long-term product vision and value proposition for the portfolio.
• Drive revenue and gross margin for the business.
• Develop and manage business/technical relationships with customers and drive engagements.
• Conduct market research and translate needs into product requirements and priorities.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products on time.
• Prioritize features using data and business impact.
• Develop go-to-market strategies with Marketing and Sales.
• Manage product lifecycle from ideation to sunset and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Forecast, price, and contribute to product profitability.
• Coordinate order fulfillment to meet cost, lead-time, and margin objectives.
• Influence priorities through compelling storytelling and rationale

Skills

Business judgment

Analytical skills

Communication

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Business strategy

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

MBA or advanced technical degree

Job description

Job Description

Reporting to VP & GM, this product management position will play a key role in the growth of optical business at Coherent.

This role requires a strong understanding of disaggregated optical line system and coherent modem/pluggable technologies. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with customers and our internal sales, R&D, product management, system architecture, marketing teams to drive the product strategy, roadmap execution, and lifecycle management.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Define and communicate long-term product vision and value proposition for the product portfolio.
• Drive revenue and gross margin for the business.
• Develop and manage strong business/technical relationships with customers, and drive customer engagements such as roadmap discussion, RFP/RFQ, and lab certification.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis, identifying customer needs and pain points, and translating them into product requirements and release priorities.
• Lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, such as Engineering, Operations, Finance, Legal, and Partners to deliver high-quality products on time.
• Prioritize product features and initiatives using data, customer insights, and business impact.
• Work with Marketing and Sales team to develop go-to-market strategies and enablement materials.
• Manage product lifecycle management from ideation to delivery and sunset, ensuring quality, timeliness, and customer satisfaction.
• Help with product financials include forecasting, pricing, and profitability.
• Work with operations team to monitor and coordinate order fulfillment processes to meet cost, lead-time, on-time delivery, volumes, quality, and margin objectives.
• Influence organizational priorities through compelling storytelling and strategic rationale.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related engineering field. MBA or advanced technical degree is a plus.
• 10 to 15 years of optical networking industry experience, with a proven track record of developing successful products.
• Strong understanding of optical line system and coherent modem/pluggable technologies is preferred.

Skills

• Seasoned business judgment and superior analytical abilities, particularly in strategic business and financial analysis.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and business acumen. Must be able to judge situations with regard to the larger business picture as well as the immediate need.
• Strong planning and leadership ability to get tasks accomplished through non-direct reports. Ability to persuade and motivate others. Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels of organization and with various individuals and personalities.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and follow through.
• Understanding of business strategies and ability to formulate/execute plans to support business strategies.
• Ability to train, coach, and mentor others.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid role. Remote work is possible but on site is preferred.
• Travel up to 20% is anticipated.
• May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate customer needs.

Physical Requirements

• N/A

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!