Lead Product Manager

Cox Communications; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Cox Automotive in the United States (Atlanta area) is seeking a Lead Product Manager to guide Lot Operations Modernization. You will own discovery, shape strategy, and build products that reduce cost and modernize how vehicles move through the auction network.

You’ll lead cross-functional teams, define a 6–9 month roadmap, build business cases, monitor KPIs with field research, and mentor other PMs while aligning with SAFe practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 6+ years of experience; or advanced degrees with experience accordingly.
• Proven track record leading discovery and turning it into a fundable business case.
• Ability to translate ambiguous problems into clear requirements and roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Own one or more interconnected Lot Operations Modernization areas and define roadmaps.
• Lead discovery end-to-end with field users and determine real problems worth solving.
• Translate validated problems into specifications and resolve ambiguity.
• Define and monitor 6-9 month roadmaps and defend funding with business cases.
• Collaborate with engineering, UX, and analytics to prototype and validate solutions.
• Mentor other Product Managers and participate in PI planning and events.

Skills

Discovery leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Mentoring others

SAFe PI planning

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree + 6 years experience

Tools

Rally

Power BI

Tableau

Snowflake

Pendo

Job description

Company Cox Automotive - USA Job Family Group Engineering / Product Development Job Profile Lead Product Manager Management Level Manager - Non People Leader Flexible Work Option Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week Travel % Yes, 5% of the time Work Shift Day Compensation Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $111,500.00 - $185,900.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Job Description Every year, Manheim moves millions of vehicles across its auction network — and the operational infrastructure powering that movement is ready for transformation. As a Lead Product Manager on the Lot Operations Modernization team, you won't just execute a backlog — you'll help set the direction for one of the highest-impact problem spaces in that network. You'll lead discovery, shape strategy, and build the products that reduce cost, eliminate waste, and modernize how our lot employees move vehicles every day.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own one or more interconnected problem areas in Lot Operations Modernization — from labor visibility and vehicle move efficiency to planning gaps and inconsistent standards across the auction network.
• Lead discovery efforts end-to-end — conducting research, engaging field users, and determining whether problems are real, relevant, and worth solving within the team's strategy
• Translate validated problems into specifications, and step in to resolve ambiguity the team can’t clear on its own
• Help to define a 6 - 9 month roadmap.
• Build business cases and investment documents that secure funding and inform prioritization decisions at the release-train level
• Define and monitor KPIs for assigned product areas, using Pendo, operational data, and field research to flag when outcomes are trending off course before it becomes a leadership question
• Partner directly with Solution Delivery Managers, engineering, UX, and data/analytics leads to prototype, test, and validate solutions — and bring buy/build/partner recommendations to the Release Train Core
• Mentor other Product Managers — modeling discovery rigor, prioritization judgment, and how to turn ambiguity into a clear plan; this role may also carry 1-2 direct reports
• Represent your product area in PI planning and Inspect/Adapt events, and communicate progress, risk, and tradeoffs directly to Director- and VP-level stakeholders
• Champion AI-accelerated discovery, experimentation, and development — not just using AI tools yourself, but helping the rest of the team adopt them
• Collaborate with other Product Managers on the release train to keep problem areas aligned to strategy and avoid duplicated effort
• Share learnings openly, contributing to a discovery culture built on transparency, iteration, and continuous improvement.

WHO YOU ARE

You are a Product Manager who has moved past executing a backlog and is ready to own outcomes. You're comfortable setting direction with incomplete information, translating operational complexity into a strategy the team can align to, and helping less experienced PMs develop their own judgment. You use context — not just instructions — to figure out what matters most, and you're as clear about what the team should NOT do as what it should.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 6 years of experience; or a master's degree and 4 years of experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience in a related field; or 18 years of experience in a related field with no degree
• Proven track record leading discovery independently and turning it into a fundable business case
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities, translating ambiguous and operationally complex problems into clear requirements, and evaluating emerging technology for product fit
• Experience coaching or mentoring others product managers
• Familiarity with SAFe Agile methodology and PI planning
• High integrity; skilled in building partnerships, driving innovation, and focusing the team on execution and excellence

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

PREFERRED BACKGROUND

• Automotive or Wholesale Operations or Logistics Supply Chain Technology Field service or last-mile
• Familiarity with Rally or comparable ALM tooling, and analytics/product tools such as Pendo, Power BI, Tableau, Snowflake
• A track record of driving AI-related initiatives or tooling adoption at a team level

Drug Testing

To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. EOE, including disability/vets Cox brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Cox vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

About Us

Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry‑leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Cox brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Cox vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.