Director - Product Management

Alliance Laundry System•Ripon, WI

About The Position

The Director of Product Management - US leads the US product portfolio strategy and roadmap, ensuring the Company's offerings meet evolving market needs. Under the guidance of the Chief Product Officer, this leader balances near-term results with longer-term planning, establishes a clear vision for US product evolution, and executes that vision to deliver measurable outcomes. The role leads the US product management function and oversees the process from concept through commercialization. It champions the voice of US customers, aligns product initiatives with market realities, and works across Sales, Finance, Technology, Innovation, Marketing, Corporate, and Manufacturing teams. The position also supports agile product development, portfolio simplification, change management, and a customer-focused, fast-moving product team. Travel is required, up to 40% within the US. Travel outside the US is limited to team meetings that may take place there. The position involves sitting for long periods, standing, manual dexterity, stooping, bending, and minimal lifting.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive product management experience, including leadership of global or multi-region teams.
Experience working within two-step distribution models and managing multiple or premier brands across global markets.
Expertise in developing sales tools, competitive analysis, and data-driven decision making.
Strategic thinking and ability to bring clarity and simplicity to complex problems.
Strong team leadership, with a track record of developing talent and building trust.
Experience building teams and operating across cultures and time zones.
Ability to demand high performance while investing in and supporting team members.
Business acumen and a passion for making a meaningful impact on distribution partners and customers.
Comfort operating in somewhat complex market segments.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Strong sales background.
A mix of consumer and commercial industry experience.
Exposure to European and Asian markets.
Exposure to electrical equipment or appliances.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute near- and long-term product management strategy for the US market under the guidance of the Chief Product Officer.
Implement multi-generational product roadmaps that drive incremental improvements and unlock new US revenue streams.
Assess US market trends, laundry industry data, customer insights, and business objectives to identify unmet needs, underserved markets, and product opportunities.
Balance and align the needs, demands, and vision of identified and emerging US laundry markets.
Champion the voice of the US customer and advocate for customers throughout the organization.
Maintain ongoing dialogue with US-based distributors, operators, and end users so their needs are reflected in product decisions.
Lead the Company's US product management function.
Make product line changes through rationalization or extensions in alignment with the Chief Product Officer.
Manage product work from concept to commercialization, including sales and margin analysis, competitive and US market analysis, product line extension and discontinuation recommendations, management presentations, and execution of approved changes.
Serve as the primary product voice for the US business and ensure corporate product initiatives align with US market realities.
Work with Finance to implement procedures for managing financial aspects of US product development projects, including capacity planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Support agile product development procedures in partnership with Senior Management, including US-relevant new product KPIs.
Champion 80/20 simplification initiatives and change management within the US product portfolio.
Build a culture of customer centricity, speed, and agility within the US product team, focused on new product development.
Collaborate with US Sales, Finance, Technology, and Innovation teams to align and execute product initiatives.
Partner with Marketing on commercialization and go-to-market strategies for new and existing products, including product launches and market penetration.
Represent product for the US market at Corporate and Manufacturing levels.