Product Manager

VSM Abrasives USA; O’Fallon (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

VSM Abrasives USA in O’Fallon, Missouri, is seeking a Product Manager to lead the strategic direction and growth of their product portfolio. This role involves managing the entire product lifecycle and collaborating with various teams to identify market opportunities and ensure product success.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience in product management or engineering within relevant industries. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential. Travel is expected approximately 15–25%.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in product management, engineering, or technical sales.
• Experience in abrasives or industrial products preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic direction of abrasive products and execute product strategies.
• Manage full product lifecycle from planning to commercialization.
• Collaborate with teams to identify market opportunities and customer needs.

Skills

Technical knowledge

Business acumen

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Business, or Marketing

Advanced degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Product management tools

Job description

The Product Manager is responsible for driving the strategic direction, growth, and success of VSM Abrasives' product portfolio. This role leads the development and execution of product strategies throughout the entire product lifecycle—from market analysis and product development to commercialization and ongoing portfolio optimization. Working closely with cross‑functional teams, customers, distributors, and sales partners, the Product Manager identifies market opportunities, delivers innovative solutions, and ensures products meet customer needs while supporting the company's long‑term growth objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong technical knowledge, business acumen, and strategic thinking to maximize product performance, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Product Management

• Develop and execute product strategies aligned with VSM Abrasives’ growth goals and market opportunities.
• Manage the full lifecycle of abrasive products, including product planning, positioning, pricing, launch, and phase‑out activities.
• Analyze market trends, customer needs, competitive products, and industry developments to identify opportunities for innovation and portfolio expansion.
• Build and maintain product roadmaps that support both short‑term business objectives and long‑term strategic initiatives.
• Gather and translate customer feedback, field insights, and market data into actionable product requirements.
• Collaborate with sales teams, distributors, and end users to understand application challenges and performance needs.
• Conduct product and application training for sales teams, distributors, and customers as Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to develop and commercialize new products.
• Work with Marketing and Sales to create product positioning, value propositions, technical documentation, and go‑to‑market strategies.
• Coordinate product launch activities, ensuring readiness across manufacturing, inventory, pricing, training, and customer communications.
• Define product specifications, performance requirements, and business cases for new product development projects.
• Monitor product performance, profitability, and market share; recommend improvements or corrective actions as needed.
• Support troubleshooting and technical problem‑solving for customer applications and product issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to product performance, manufacturability, cost optimization, and customer experience.
• Stay current on abrasive technologies, manufacturing processes, and industry advancements to foster innovation within the product portfolio.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Business, Marketing, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in product management, engineering, technical sales, or a related role within manufacturing or industrial products.
• Experience in abrasives, coated abrasives, industrial consumables, or a related technical industry is strongly preferred.
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand engineering concepts and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams and customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP systems and product management tools is a plus.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed (approximately 15–25%).