Product Manager, Hardlines

Learning Resources•Vernon Hills, IL

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

hand2mind is a growing, family-owned company that has been inspiring learning through play for over 60 years by creating hands-on, classroom-tested materials. We are seeking a creative, organized, and resourceful Product Manager to oversee the development of our educational product and toy lines. This role involves managing a product portfolio from concept to market launch, steering cross-functional teams, and working with overseas manufacturers, internal departments, and external licensors. A sense of humor is a plus.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree required, advanced degree preferred.
3-5 years of consumer product development experience.
Excellent organization, presentation, and communication skills (both written and verbal).
Creative mindset with entrepreneurial spirit who thinks outside the box.
Able to meet multiple, challenging deadlines and work within budgets.
Comfortable with analyzing basic financial data for assigned categories to make recommendations that support overall brand/product goals.
Excellent at solving problems creatively and/or knowing when to seek help.
Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Able to effectively communicate with key stakeholders including colleagues, executive team, vendors, and customers.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage 8-12 new products through the product life cycle, from ideation to market launch, ensuring products meet key milestone dates, align with our educational mission, and meet quality standards.
Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including editorial, industrial design, creative, sales, custom solutions, and marketing, to bring innovative educational products to market on time and within budget.
Work with vendors to quote products, negotiate prices, and determine delivery schedules to meet product launch goals.
Support market research efforts by gathering data, customer feedback, and conducting competitor analysis to identify opportunities, trends, and insights that inform product strategy.
Identify competitors, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and assess market trends.
Organize, participate, and lead product testing for new concepts.
Participate in data maintenance projects utilizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) and product related spreadsheets.
Work closely with Sales and Marketing on key sample requests for customer meetings, photoshoots, video shoots, trade shows, etc.