Product Development Manager

VIRA Insight; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

VIRA Insight seeks a Product Development Manager to lead strategy, planning, and execution of new product initiatives from concept validation through commercialization. You will blend customer insights, market research, and manufacturing capabilities to deliver innovative, scalable solutions aligned with our business goals.

The role requires strong leadership and expertise in retail fixture/manufacturing trends, driving cross‑functional alignment with Creative, Engineering, Sales, and Operations

Qualifications

• 5+ years in product development or product management.
• Experience with wood, metal, plastics, or modular systems preferred.
• Strong reading of drawings and collaboration with engineering.
• Experience in go-to-market planning and commercialization.
• Excellent communication and leadership without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic product roadmaps aligned with business goals.
• Conduct market research to identify opportunities, trends, and competitive insights.
• Define product requirements, specifications, and functional briefs.
• Lead concept development sessions to generate and evaluate new product ideas.
• Validate concepts through prototypes, customer testing, and internal reviews.
• Build business cases including cost targets, volume projections, and ROI.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering to ensure technical feasibility and manufacturability.
• Guide Creative teams on design direction and product intent.
• Partner with Sales and Account Management to translate customer needs into product solutions.
• Manage the end‑to‑end product lifecycle from concept through launch and post‑launch optimization.
• Monitor product performance and drive continuous improvement or value‑engineering initiatives.
• Ensure alignment across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Operations for successful commercialization.

Skills

Product development

Product management

Cross-functional leadership

Market research

Customer insights

Lifecycle management

Reading drawings

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Industrial Design, Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Product Development Manager leads the strategy, planning, and execution of new product initiatives from concept validation through commercialization. This role is responsible for identifying market opportunities, shaping product roadmaps, establishing product requirements, and ensuring successful launch and lifecycle management. The ideal candidate is a product‑minded strategist who excels at blending customer insights, market research, and manufacturing capabilities to deliver innovative, scalable solutions aligned with VIRA Insight’s business objectives. This role requires strong leadership, a deep understanding of retail fixture/manufacturing trends, and the ability to drive cross‑functional alignment across Creative, Engineering, Sales, and Operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain strategic product roadmaps aligned with business goals.
• Conduct market research to identify opportunities, trends, and competitive insights.
• Define product requirements, specifications, and functional briefs.
• Lead concept development sessions to generate and evaluate new product ideas.
• Validate concepts through prototypes, customer testing, and internal reviews.
• Build business cases including cost targets, volume projections, and ROI.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering to ensure technical feasibility and manufacturability.
• Guide Creative teams on design direction and product intent.
• Partner with Sales and Account Management to translate customer needs into product solutions.
• Manage the end‑to‑end product lifecycle from concept through launch and post‑launch optimization.
• Monitor product performance and drive continuous improvement or value‑engineering initiatives.
• Ensure alignment across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Operations for successful commercialization.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This role may oversee or mentor Product Designers, Product Analysts, or cross‑functional contributors, depending on project scope. (No direct reports required.)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience in product development, product management, or innovation within manufacturing, industrial design, retail fixtures, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, product strategy, and concept‑to‑launch processes.
• Familiarity with design and engineering workflows; ability to read drawings and collaborate on technical requirements.
• Skilled in market research, customer insight discovery, and competitive analysis.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities.
• High level of creativity, problem‑solving, and strategic thinking.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Industrial Design, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in product development or product management roles.
• Experience developing products involving wood, metal, plastics, or modular systems highly preferred.
• Experience supporting go‑to‑market planning and commercialization.

Founded in 1996, VIRA Insight is a premier design, engineering, and manufacturing firm dedicated to creating innovative retail solutions. For more than 25 years, we have partnered with leading retailers and brands to enhance the shopping experience through bespoke fixtures, furniture, and visual merchandising displays. Our expertise spans diverse offerings, including pop‑up shops, signage, AR/VR design development, omni‑channel solutions, and more. Renowned clients such as Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and e.l.f Beauty value our expertise, efficiency, and customer‑focused approach, trusting us to handle their needs from concept to delivery. To thrive in a rapidly evolving global market, VIRA Insight has adopted a Multi‑National Manufacturing Strategy. This strategy supports resilience and adaptability by leveraging operations across strategic regions, including our corporate headquarters in Lewisville, Texas, as well as facilities in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, and soon, Malaysia. Our diversified supply chain ensures agility and precision, enabling seamless project execution customized to meet each client's unique requirements. With a legacy of excellence and a vision for the future, VIRA Insight is committed to redefining the retail experience, delivering innovative solutions that inspire and engage customers.