Sr. Product Manager – Science Education (Chemistry & Physics)

Flinn; Batavia (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Flinn is looking for a Senior Product Manager in Batavia, IL, to lead the strategy and growth of their Chemistry and Physics product line. The role involves managing the P&L, developing a multi-year roadmap, and ensuring product offerings meet educational standards. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, with a preference for Master's, and 7+ years in product management or related roles in the education sector. Strong communication skills and business acumen are essential, along with a deep understanding of science educational needs.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in science curriculum development, product management, or related education market role.
• Proven success in managing complex product portfolios and driving adoption at the teacher and district levels.
• Ability to engage teachers, administrators, and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own the P&L for Flinn's Chemistry/Physics non-kit portfolio.
• Set a multi-year product roadmap balancing new product introductions.
• Translate customer insights and market data into clear product requirements.

Skills

Communication skills

Business acumen

Understanding of NGSS

Product management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Physics, Life Sciences, Science Education

Master's degree

Job description

The Senior Product Manager – Chemistry/Physics owns the strategy and growth of Flinn's Chemistry and Physics non-kit product lines across direct-to-school and white-label channels. Chemistry and Physics subject matter experience is required to make sound assortment and specification decisions and to speak credibly with educators. This role does not involve writing labs, authoring curriculum, or developing instructional content.

Responsibilities

• Own the P&L for Flinn's Chemistry/Physics non-kit portfolio, including revenue, margin, and SKU-level productivity.
• Set a multi-year product roadmap balancing new product introductions, line extensions, lifecycle management, and SKU rationalization against market opportunity.
• Drive direct-to-school growth through assortment, pricing, and positioning decisions.
• Conduct regular line reviews to optimize assortment, retire underperformers, and reinvest in high-potential SKUs.

Customer Discovery & Product Definition

• Translate customer insights, market data, and competitive analysis into clear product requirements, business cases, and prioritized backlogs.
• Specify product attributes — purity, performance, durability, packaging, safety, and price point — and partner with Sourcing, Quality, and Engineering teams to bring them to market.
• Ensure portfolio products meet classroom safety and regulatory expectations.

Go-to-Market & Channel Strategy

• Lead go-to-market collaboration with cross-functional teams for new Chemistry/Physics products, including positioning, pricing, sales enablement, and launch KPIs.
• Strengthen the direct-to-school channel through sales tools, customer-facing collateral, and continuous feedback loops with the sales organization.
• Partner with Marketing on demand generation, category messaging, and customer journey mapping.
• Maintain a current view of trends shaping science education purchasing as they affect demand for non-kit products.
• Track competitive products, pricing, and assortment across the Chemistry/Physics category and convert findings into portfolio decisions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and Quality to deliver successful launches and reliable availability.
• Train and enable internal sales teams on Chemistry/Physics product positioning, customer value, and competitive differentiation.
• Represent the portfolio at tradeshows, key customer visits, and internal forums — speaking credibly about how the products fit Chemistry and Physics classrooms.
• Define the digital experience for Chemistry/Physics products on Flinn.com, including PDP content, product images, taxonomy, search, merchandising, and cross-sell.
• Improve product discoverability and conversion through site experience and digital content.

What Success Looks Like

• Portfolio growth and health, measured by YOY revenue, margin, and SKU productivity.
• Direct-to-school channel performance, measured by customer acquisition, retention, and order size.
• Customer-validated product decisions, measured by adoption, repeat purchase, and feedback.
• A reputation among Chemistry and Physics teachers as the trusted source for the products that power their classrooms.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Physics, Life Sciences, Science Education, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in science curriculum development, product management, or related education market role.
• Deep understanding of NGSS and high school Chemistry/Physics instructional needs.
• Proven success in managing complex product portfolios and driving adoption at the teacher and district levels.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage teachers, administrators, and internal stakeholders.
• Business acumen with experience balancing revenue, adoption growth, and product differentiation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Collaborative office and laboratory environment located within a warehouse and office setting in Batavia, IL. Regular interaction with cross-functional teams including Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Product Development. Primarily on-site work involving computer-based tasks, meetings, product development collaboration, and occasional movement between office, lab, warehouse, and product areas. May participate in teacher training, professional development sessions, conferences, and tradeshows.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time. Requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout office, lab, and warehouse areas as needed. Ability to lift and carry product samples, lab materials, or boxes up to 30 pounds. Ability to regularly view computer screens and use standard office equipment. Ability to participate in hands‑on product evaluations, demonstrations, and trainings as needed.