Director, Product Management

CTS Corporation•Lisle, IL

11d•$190,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Product Management – Advanced Materials and Solutions (“AMS”) is a senior business leadership role responsible for defining and driving the end‑to‑end product and portfolio strategy for AMS’s global Piezo, Sensors, Switches & Controls, and Passives product lines. This role is accountable for translating AMS strategy into clear market choices, product roadmaps, and commercial actions that deliver profitable growth, improved margin performance, and sustained competitive advantage. As a member of the AMS Leadership Team and a direct report to the AMS business leader, this role serves as the voice of the market and the customer, ensuring product decisions are grounded in application insight, competitive intelligence, and portfolio economics. The Director is expected to operate with a general management mindset—balancing strategy, execution, customer engagement, pricing, and financial performance—while building stronger product management capability across AMS.

Requirements

Strong business acumen with the ability to translate product strategy into measurable financial performance and growth outcomes.
Proven capability to develop and execute portfolio strategies in complex, global, and highly competitive markets.
Deep understanding of product portfolio management, including segmentation, prioritization, and lifecycle optimization.
Strong technical aptitude with the ability to interpret engineering concepts and translate them into compelling customer value propositions.
Working knowledge of relevant markets, applications, and technologies across AMS product domains.
Expertise in pricing strategy, margin management, and value-based commercial positioning.
Demonstrated ability to engage and influence customers at multiple levels, including senior decision-makers.
Proven leadership in driving alignment and execution across global, cross-functional teams within a matrix organization.
Strong influencing skills with the ability to lead without direct authority and drive timely decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to manage complexity, prioritize effectively, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability to guide strategy and performance improvement.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise executive messaging.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required.
10–15+ years of progressive experience in product management, engineering, or commercial leadership roles.
5+ years of leadership experience, including managing teams and/or leading global cross-functional initiatives.
Demonstrated success owning or influencing P&L responsibility for a product line or business segment.
Experience managing complex, multi-product portfolios in industrial, electronics, medical, or aerospace and defense markets.
Proven track record of driving profitable growth and new product innovation.
Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.
Strong familiarity with stage-gate/NPD processes and product lifecycle management.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree.
Experience in high-reliability or regulated markets (automotive, industrial, medical, aerospace).
Exposure to platform-based product strategy and modular design approaches.
Experience in M&A integration, portfolio rationalization, or transformation initiatives.
Demonstrated success in digital/product data tools (PLM, CRM, analytics platforms).

Responsibilities

Define and lead the global product portfolio strategy across Piezo, Sensors, Systems & Controls, and Passives in alignment with AMS strategic and financial objectives.
Establish clear where‑to‑play and how‑to‑win choices by segment, application, region, and customer.
Recommend portfolio actions including investment, acceleration, localization, rationalization, partnerships, acquisitions, or exits based on market attractiveness, competitive position, and return on investment.
Build deep understanding of end markets, customer applications, buying criteria, technology trends, and competitor strategies.
Lead disciplines such as voice of customer, market segmentation, win/loss analysis, and competitive intelligence to shape portfolio and roadmap priorities.
Ensure AMS products deliver differentiated customer value and clear competitive advantage.
Own end‑to‑end product lifecycle management from concept through launch, scale, refresh, and retirement.
Prioritize development resources toward the highest‑value opportunities and ensure disciplined business case justification for new product initiatives.
Drive faster time‑to‑market and increased focus through portfolio simplification and roadmap prioritization.
Partner with Sales and Marketing to define value propositions, positioning, pricing strategies, and go‑to‑market plans.
Enable sales teams with product training, application messaging, and commercial tools that improve pipeline quality and win rates.
Engage directly with key customers and strategic accounts as a senior product authority.
Own portfolio‑level performance including revenue growth, margin expansion, product mix, and pricing effectiveness.
Lead annual and long‑range portfolio planning in partnership with Finance and Operations.
Identify and execute opportunities for margin improvement, complexity reduction, and cost‑productivity.
Serve as the integrator across Engineering, Operations, Sales, Finance, and Marketing to ensure aligned execution.
Establish strong portfolio governance, prioritization, and decision‑making processes.
Provide clear product and portfolio leadership input as a member of the AMS Leadership Team.
Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing global product management team.
Increase the maturity and effectiveness of product management capabilities, tools, and operating rhythms across AMS.
Model leadership behaviors aligned with CTS values and business expectations.