Product Manager

Merchants; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 133,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life Insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Tuition Reimbursement

Bonus programs

Job summary

Merchants Insurance Group in Buffalo, NY, is seeking a strategic Product Manager for commercial package and middle market to lead profitability, growth, and portfolio performance. You will collaborate with underwriting, actuarial, claims, and distribution to identify opportunities, solve challenges, and drive measurable business results.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in insurance product management (or underwriting/actuarial), strong data-driven decision making, and the ability to influence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 5+ years of insurance product management, underwriting, or actuarial experience.
• Experience working across functions and influencing outcomes without direct authority; or
• Combination of above education and experience

Responsibilities

• Serve as business owner for assigned product lines, accountable for profitability, growth, retention, and overall portfolio performance.
• Drive production goals for assigned product lines by monitoring performance, partnering with regional teams to identify opportunities and challenges, and implementing targeted actions to improve results.
• Conduct competitive, market, and industry analysis to identify emerging trends, customer demands, and strategic opportunities.
• Lead state rate and form filings in partnership with Actuarial Team.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.
• Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for assigned products, from strategy and prioritization through implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Oversight of day-to-day management of assigned product lines, with hands‑on involvement across all aspects of the product lifecycle.
• Partner with technology and operational teams to improve product capabilities, streamline processes, and enhance customer and agent experience.
• Analyze performance across key dimensions and leverage insights to recommend and implement actions that improve results.
• Identify and develop new product opportunities, coverage enhancements, and endorsements to strengthen profitability and expand market presence
• Lead cross-functional product initiatives, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely execution across internal and external stakeholders
• Influence decision-making and drive outcomes without direct authority in a matrixed environment
• Partner with regional leadership and distribution teams to achieve production goals and optimize growth
• Identify production challenges and growth opportunities through ongoing performance monitoring and stakeholder engagement
• Support field teams through product education, performance insights and consultation on market opportunities and challenges

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Product management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

At Merchants Insurance Group, we're looking for a strategic and results-oriented professional to help shape the future of our insurance product portfolio. As a Product Manager for commercial package and middle market, you will lead the performance, strategy, and growth of assigned product lines, driving initiatives that enhance profitability, improve loss outcomes, and strengthen our competitive position in the marketplace.

In this highly visible role, you'll collaborate across Underwriting, Actuarial, Claims, Distribution, and other key business areas to identify opportunities, solve complex challenges, and deliver meaningful business results. Success requires a strong blend of analytical thinking, business acumen, and influence—leveraging data, expertise, and relationships to align stakeholders and execute winning strategies.

The ideal candidate brings product management experience within the insurance industry, a passion for data-driven decision-making, and the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Candidates with underwriting and/or actuarial experience will be especially well-positioned to thrive in this role.

If you're looking for an opportunity to make a measurable impact, collaborate with talented professionals, and help drive the continued success of Merchants Insurance Group, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the business owner for assigned product lines, accountable for profitability, growth, retention, and overall portfolio performance
• Drive production goals for assigned product lines by monitoring performance, partnering with regional teams to identify opportunities and challenges, and implementing targeted actions to improve results
• Conduct competitive, market, and industry analysis to identify emerging trends, customer demands, and strategic opportunities
• Lead state rate and form filings in partnership with Actuarial Team
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and internal governance standards
• Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for assigned products, from strategy and prioritization through implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement
• Oversight of day-to-day management of assigned product lines, with hands‑on involvement across all aspects of the product lifecycle
• Partner with technology and operational teams to improve product capabilities, streamline processes, and enhance customer and agent experience
• Analyze performance across key dimensions and leverage insights to recommend and implement actions that improve results
• Identify and develop new product opportunities, coverage enhancements, and endorsements to strengthen profitability and expand market presence

Cross-Functional Leadership & Production Management

• Lead cross-functional product initiatives, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely execution across internal and external stakeholders
• Influence decision-making and drive outcomes without direct authority in a matrixed environment
• Partner with regional leadership and distribution teams to achieve production goals and optimize growth
• Identify production challenges and growth opportunities through ongoing performance monitoring and stakeholder engagement
• Support field teams through product education, performance insights and consultation on market opportunities and challenges

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 5+ years of insurance product management, underwriting, or actuarial experience
• Experience working across functions and influencing outcomes without direct authority; or
• Combination of above education and experience

Preferred Knowledge & Abilities

• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Product management, underwriting, and/or actuarial experience, ideally within the relevant insurance product line

Benefits

• Welcoming and positive work environment
• Flexible work arrangements, including flex scheduling and summer hours
• Colleague Appreciation Events
• Competitive pay scale
• Generous paid time off package
• Full benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, 401(k) employer match 100% up to 6% of your annual contributions
• Outstanding company bonus programs
• Tuition Reimbursement

And many more exciting company benefits!!

Salary Range: $133,000 - $155,000

The compensation range listed for this position reflects the good‑faith range Merchants Insurance Group expects to pay for the role at the time of posting. Individual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, skills, and other job-related factors.

Merchants Insurance Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws.