Product Manager, Hardlines

Learning Resources; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

hand2mind in Vernon Hills, IL is seeking a Product Manager for Hardlines to oversee the development of educational products from concept through launch. You will coordinate across editorial, design, sales, marketing, and overseas manufacturers to bring innovative classroom tools to market on time and within budget.

The role requires 3–5 years in consumer product development, a Bachelor’s degree, strong organizational and communication skills, and comfort with basic financial analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 3–5 years of consumer product development experience.
• Excellent organization, presentation, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Creative mindset with entrepreneurial spirit.
• Able to meet multiple deadlines and work within budgets.
• Comfortable with basic financial data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Manage 8–12 new products through the lifecycle from ideation to market launch.
• Collaborate with editorial, design, sales, marketing, and external licensors to bring products to market on time and within budget.
• Work with vendors to quote products, negotiate prices, and determine delivery schedules.
• Support market research by gathering data, customer feedback, and competitor analysis to inform strategy.
• Lead product testing and participate in data maintenance projects (D365 and spreadsheets).
• Coordinate sample requests for customer meetings, photoshoots, and trade shows.

Skills

Organizational skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Creative mindset

Budget awareness

Problem solving

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Product Manager, Hardlines

Regular Full-Time Vernon Hills, Vernon Hills, IL, US

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually

About hand2mind:

For more than 60 years, hand2mind has inspired learning through play by creating hands‑on, classroom‑tested materials that help children learn by doing. We’re a growing, family‑owned company recognized as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and trusted by teachers and families alike. We create a wide range of educational products—classroom tools like Hands-on Standards®, consumer products for NumberBlocks®, and innovative items like our new BubblePlush™ Yoga Balls. If you’re curious, collaborative, and a kid at heart, you’ll feel right at home here. Join us in shaping the future of learning with our award‑winning team!

Team & Position Overview:

We are looking for a creative, organized, and resourceful Product Manager to oversee the development of our educational product and toy lines. You will thrive in a collaborative and rapidly evolving environment, managing a product portfolio from concept through to market launch. You will be responsible for steering cross‑functional teams and working with overseas manufacturers, various internal departments and external licensors as needed to bring our innovative educational products to life. A sense of humor is a plus!

Responsibilities:

• Manage 8-12 new products through the product life cycle, from ideation to market launch- ensuring products meet key milestone dates, align with our educational mission, and meet quality standards.
• Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, including editorial, industrial design, creative, sales, custom solutions, and marketing, to bring innovative educational products to market on time and within budget.
• Work with vendors to quote products, negotiate prices, and determine delivery schedules to meet product launch goals.
• Support market research efforts by gathering data, customer feedback, and conducting competitor analysis to identify opportunities, trends, and insights that inform product strategy.
  • Identify competitors, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and assess market trends.
  • Organize, participate, and lead product testing for new concepts.
• Participate in data maintenance projects utilizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) and product related spreadsheets.
• Work closely with Sales and Marketing on key sample requests for customer meetings, photoshoots, video shoots, trade shows, etc.

What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives):

• Within 60 Days: Use project management tools like Monday.com to actively track milestones and ensure smooth execution for all ongoing projects.
• Within 9 Months: Lead brainstorming sessions for future product ideation generating 20-30 ideas for building out the product road map.
• Within 12 Months: Within budget and timeline constraints, successfully lead cross‑functional teams to develop and launch 8-12 new products that meet educational and quality standards or made to order products that meet specific retailer needs.

Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of consumer product development experience.
• Excellent organization, presentation, and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Creative mindset with entrepreneurial spirit who thinks outside the box.
• Able to meet multiple, challenging deadlines and work within budgets.
• Comfortable with analyzing basic financial data for assigned categories to make recommendations that support overall brand/product goals.
• Excellent at solving problems creatively and/or knowing when to seek help.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Able to effectively communicate with key stakeholders including colleagues, executive team, vendors, and customers.

We are a drug‑free workplace and an EEO employer.

Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

Compensation Range: $85,000 - $95,000 annual salary – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set and location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here).