Product/ Category Manager

LaSalle Network has partnered with a well-established manufacturing company in the western suburbs of Chicago in its search for a Product/ Category Manager . This individual will play a key role in driving product strategy, category growth, and commercialization initiatives across a diverse product portfolio.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing strategic planning with execution—leveraging customer insights, market trends, and business performance data to identify growth opportunities while partnering cross-functionally to bring new products to market. Working closely with Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Customer Support, you'll help shape the product roadmap, optimize the product portfolio, and drive successful product launches.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute product and category strategies that align with business objectives and customer needs.
• Manage products throughout the full lifecycle, including new product introductions, portfolio optimization, line extensions, enhancements, and end-of-life decisions.
• Identify market opportunities through customer research, competitive analysis, industry trends, and voice-of-customer insights.
• Build business cases for new products, including pricing strategy, positioning, market opportunity, profitability, and commercialization plans.
• Lead multiple cross-functional product development initiatives from concept through launch, partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop product positioning, messaging, sales enablement tools, and go-to-market strategies that support successful product launches.
• Analyze product performance, sales trends, customer feedback, and financial metrics to recommend pricing, assortment, and portfolio decisions.
• Partner with Sales to understand customer needs, identify whitespace opportunities, and support strategic growth initiatives.
• Coordinate custom product requests and collaborate with internal teams to ensure customer requirements are successfully executed.
• Present product strategies, category insights, and business recommendations to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Product Management, Category Management, Product Marketing, or a related role within a manufacturing or durable goods environment.
• Experience managing physical products throughout the full product lifecycle, from concept through commercialization.
• Strong understanding of category strategy, product portfolio management, pricing, and go-to-market planning.
• Experience leveraging market research, customer insights, competitive intelligence, and sales data to drive product decisions.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives across Engineering, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain.
• Analytical mindset with experience evaluating business performance, margins, and product profitability.
• Experience within industrial, commercial, building products, home products, furniture, consumer durables, or related manufacturing industries preferred.
• Experience supporting custom or engineered-to-order products is a plus.
• Ability to work onsite at least three days per week.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $90,000–$100,000, depending on experience
• Eligible for a 10% annual bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off

If this position sounds like a fit for you, please apply today!

Missy Stella
Sr. Marketing Recruiter
#LI-MS12