Product Manager

Merchants Insurance Group•Buffalo, NY

2d•$133,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Merchants Insurance Group is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Product Manager to shape the future of its insurance product portfolio. This role will focus on commercial package and middle market insurance products, leading their performance, strategy, and growth. The Product Manager will drive initiatives to enhance profitability, improve loss outcomes, and strengthen the company's competitive position. This highly visible role involves collaboration across Underwriting, Actuarial, Claims, Distribution, and other key business areas to identify opportunities, solve complex challenges, and deliver business results. Success requires a strong blend of analytical thinking, business acumen, and influence, leveraging data, expertise, and relationships to align stakeholders and execute strategies. The ideal candidate will have product management experience in the insurance industry, a passion for data-driven decision-making, and the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Prior underwriting and/or actuarial experience is highly advantageous.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field.
5+ years of insurance product management, underwriting, or actuarial experience.
Experience working across functions and influencing outcomes without direct authority.
Combination of above education and experience.
Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Product management, underwriting, and/or actuarial experience, ideally within the relevant insurance product line.

Responsibilities

Serve as the business owner for assigned product lines, accountable for profitability, growth, retention, and overall portfolio performance.
Drive production goals for assigned product lines by monitoring performance, partnering with regional teams to identify opportunities and challenges, and implementing targeted actions to improve results.
Conduct competitive, market, and industry analysis to identify emerging trends, customer demands, and strategic opportunities.
Lead state rate and form filings in partnership with the Actuarial Team.
Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.
Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for assigned products, from strategy and prioritization through implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
Oversight of day-to-day management of assigned product lines, with hands-on involvement across all aspects of the product lifecycle.
Partner with technology and operational teams to improve product capabilities, streamline processes, and enhance customer and agent experience.
Analyze performance across key dimensions and leverage insights to recommend and implement actions that improve results.
Identify and develop new product opportunities, coverage enhancements, and endorsements to strengthen profitability and expand market presence.
Lead cross-functional product initiatives, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely execution across internal and external stakeholders.
Influence decision-making and drive outcomes without direct authority in a matrixed environment.
Partner with regional leadership and distribution teams to achieve production goals and optimize growth.
Identify production challenges and growth opportunities through ongoing performance monitoring and stakeholder engagement.
Support field teams through product education, performance insights, and consultation on market opportunities and challenges.