Product Manager, Prints

Product Manager

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!

We are currently seeking a Product Manager to lead the development of all printed products for our Publisher and Custom Kit teams. hand2mind creates industry leading educational materials serving PreK–12 students and teachers nationwide. In this role, you will collaborate closely with product and kit development experts to create high quality educational print materials including books, activity & instruction guides, card sets, labels and gameboards using a variety of printing methods and substrates. Working cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders, you will ensure timely and accurate product development, sourcing, and RFP quoting to support business development and customer product launches. This role serves as a subject matter expert in all aspects of print specifications, proofing process, and art file management to drive efficient and domestic and international print sourcing and cost estimating while bringing creativity and innovation to product design.

What you'll do day to day:

• Manage vendor RFP and product development process for all new print materials supporting Publisher and School Custom Kit channels, including the creation of print specifications for vendor price quotes, analyzing vendor quote details for accuracy, request and review printer samples, and recommend appropriate vendor selections for the initial print order.
• Partner with Product Managers to develop clear, complete print specifications, offering guidance and suggestions to align product needs with customer requirements and budget constraints.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales and Product Development to recommend, source, and support the design of packaging and printed product options.
• Develop and maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for print file management and RFQ creation.
• Own the organization, maintenance, and archival of print files on designated servers using consistent naming conventions to ensure easy access and reference.
• Create new print art files and modify existing files using Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, or other designated design software. Intermediate levels of program knowledge is desired.
• Partner with the Creative team for projects that require original design or complex revisions.
• Create and maintain product specifications and related data within our ERP system.
• Perform other duties for this role as assigned and necessary.

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

• Within 60 days, learn the file structure for print files and transfer tools.
• Within 60 days, learn and demonstrate ability to choose appropriate vendors and create and analyze print vendor quotes.
• Within 90 days, develop relationships with print vendors both domestically and internationally and document vendor capabilities.
• Within 6 months, learn and show ability to work within Monday.com project management software to retrieve tasks and update project statuses
• By one year, identify at least two opportunities for process improvements in your area of responsibility and design a detailed improvement plan and obtain approval to implement said process improvements.

Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

• 4+ years of experience working with print production, sourcing/costing, and vendor management.
• Strong understanding and developing print specifications, print substrates, and production processes.
• Experience requesting, analyzing, and comparing printer quotes.
• Intermediate skills in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and PDF's
• Microsoft Office or Google Suite experience
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally.

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

Compensation Range: $70,000 – $80,000 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).