Sr. Product Manager

Korn Ferry; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry and our client seek a Senior Product Manager to own the product lifecycle for assigned categories, drive new product development from concept through launch, and collaborate with global manufacturing partners. This is a hands-on, highly visible role requiring creativity, technical understanding, and strong project leadership.

You will steer category profitability, coordinate packaging, testing, and certifications, and align with Sales and Product Analysis teams to optimize market

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in product development with proven launches.
• Experience presenting concepts to sales teams and supporting events.
• Experience with international factories (Asia required) and travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead New Product Development & Roadmap execution from ideation to launch.
• Own category profitability, pricing strategy, and cost monitoring.
• Coordinate with overseas manufacturing partners; ensure testing, certifications, and compliance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations and Legal.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Project management

Excel

PowerPoint

MS Project

Tools

MS Project

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Title: Senior Product Manager, Product Development

Location: Southwest Chicago | Full-Time | Hybrid

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client to identify a dynamic Senior Product Manager to lead product innovation, drive category profitability, and oversee new product development from concept through commercialization. This role is critical to advancing our client's growth strategy within the consumer goods sector.

About the Opportunity

Our client is a long-standing North American consumer goods company with more than 40 years of industry expertise. With deep global supplier relationships and a demonstrated ability to bring high-quality, on-trend, solution-oriented products to market, they continue to evolve through design innovation, brand development, and disciplined product expansion.

As a Senior Product Manager, you will own the product lifecycle for your assigned categories—leading ideation, evaluating submissions, managing testing and certifications, coordinating with overseas manufacturing partners, and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver successful product launches. This is a hands-on, highly visible role that blends creativity, technical understanding, commercial acumen, and strong project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Lead New Product Development & Roadmap Execution

• Drive the innovation pipeline and Stage Gate process from ideation through launch
• Evaluate inventor submissions and prioritize new product initiatives
• Oversee packaging, testing, certifications, and merchandising deployment
• Partner with legal on patents and infringement issues

Own Category Profitability & Business Performance

• Manage category contribution margin and product vitality metrics
• Support pricing strategy in collaboration with Sales and Product Analysis teams
• Maintain accurate insights on tariffs, duties, and cost structures

Cross-Functional & Supplier Collaboration

• Serve as the central point of communication for assigned product lines
• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and overseas manufacturing teams
• Build and maintain a strong global supplier base for materials and finished goods
• Oversee all product testing to ensure performance, safety, and compliance
• Monitor quality assurance programs and identify corrective actions
• Track new legislation and manage certification requirements
• Maintain a repository of competitive and market insights

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in product development with proven success launching new products
• Experience presenting concepts to sales teams and supporting trade shows or customer visits
• Prior experience evaluating and working with international factories (Asia required)
• Ability to travel up to 25%, including international travel

Desired Skills & Attributes

• High integrity and strong ethical standards
• Solid understanding of materials and manufacturing processes, especially metal/steel, is a big plus
• Hands-on mindset and comfort interacting with jobsites and contractors
• Experience managing others is a plus
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skill
• Exceptional project management, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Project, and related tools