Payments Product Manager

This job is located at 1 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL, 60606 Why PLS? Because You Deserve Better! PLS, which stands for People – Location – Service, is a leading retail provider of financial services. The "P" comes first, because our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we recognize that it’s our exceptional team members who go above and beyond every day. The PLS Group, headquartered in Chicago, is comprised of over 200 financial service centers in 12 states. Through our check cashing stores, we provide consumers with convenient financial products and services to help them manage their day‑to‑day financial needs. Although many of our customers have banking relationships, we believe that our customers use our financial services because they are convenient, transparent, and frequently more affordable than available traditional alternatives. PLS was founded in 1997 by Bob and Dan Wolfberg, who serve as Co‑Presidents. Position Overview PLS is at an exciting juncture. A pioneer in offering financial products to underserved customers, PLS has built a successful storefront model focused on a superior customer experience. Today, PLS is driving innovation to meet customers’ evolving needs and adapting to changing competitive landscape. PLS seeks an innovative product leader, who also possesses solid payment product management skills to manage our current products and foster innovative ideas for exploring new channels and markets, developing new products and cross‑selling products. Job Responsibilities Manage current and future card programs. Conduct detailed financial review of current products and identify opportunities to improve the customer experience and improve bottom‑line performance. Benchmark PLS’ products against the competition, identifying improvement opportunities across several dimensions, including product features, pricing, and customer experience. Identify gaps in the product line or in the features of existing products; implement new products or product improvements to close those gaps. Work closely with the Marketing team to develop a robust customer lifecycle platform and product marketing plan. Partner closely with the Store Operations and Customer Financial Solutions teams. Collaborate with internal teams to move priorities forward. Manage vendor relationships, help negotiate contracts, and identify new third‑party partners to enhance product portfolio. Help design and implement a robust cross‑sell strategy. Develop and maintain a strategic product roadmap to drive priorities for the team and the larger PLS organization. Develop and prioritize requirements for new products to meet changing business, market, and customer needs. Job Requirements Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines preferred: Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Engineering, or Computer Science 5+ years of experience managing payment products, product development, and/or managing products within financial services Distinctive problem solving, organizational, and analytical skills with the ability to evolve strategy based on research, data, and industry trends Exceptional presentation and communication skills Proven problem‑solver with the ability to leverage analytics and consumer knowledge to identify opportunities Strong critical thinking skills with a deep understanding of customer needs and the market landscape Exceptional customer focus with the ability to utilize customer insights and feedback to drive decisionsMust be a collaborator who challenges ideas not people Work well with ambiguity and changing/shifting priorities Working Conditions and Physical Requirements This role requires regular in‑person collaboration with team members at our Chicago Support Center. Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs. with little assistance Must be able to work in restrictive spaces and maintain concentration in a busy environment with moderate to high noise levels Must manage several tasks at one time and handle frequent interruptions to meet the needs and requests of customers Benefits for eligible team members include medical/dental/vision, 401(k), vacation, opportunities for advancement, and ongoing training. Core Values We strive to demonstrate our Core Values in all positions at PLS: Communication Customer Focus Integrity and Trust Teamwork Results PLS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. PLS is a drug‑free workplace. PLS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify your Recruiter or a member of our Human Resources team at View email address on click.appcast.io to make arrangements. The decision on granting accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. For jobs located in the City of Los Angeles, consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment. $115,000 - $125,000 USD #J-18808-Ljbffr