Senior Product Manager - Architectural

Visual Comfort & Co • Skokie, IL

4d • $135,000 - $138,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Visual Comfort & Co. is the premier resource for decorative and architectural lighting, ceiling fans, system controls and automated shading solutions from the most influential designers in the world. We are proud to offer a market-leading range of premium products across categories, styles and price points, remaining committed to beautiful design and, above all, a world-class customer experience. The Senior Product Manager for the Architectural Lighting team is responsible for leading the development and management of the architectural lighting product portfolio. This high-visibility role requires ownership of products from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment with business strategy and brand standards. The position demands a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and can drive results through cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Design, Marketing, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive product management and product development experience; experience with enterprise-level ERP, PIM, and PDM systems preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in architectural lighting or closely related building industries.
• Strong technical knowledge of LED technology, drivers, controls, and functional lighting systems.
• Proven track record of creating and executing product roadmaps with measurable business impact.
• Analytical and data-driven, with the ability to make intuitive decisions when necessary.
• Skilled in stage-gate processes, project management, and product lifecycle management.
• Advanced knowledge of project management tools such as MS Project, SharePoint, and Gantt charts.
• Exceptional communication, leadership presence, and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and committed to results and continuous improvement.
• Must be on-site and fully engaged with cross-functional partners.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated success leading high-visibility product launches in premium markets preferred.

Responsibilities

• New Product Development
• Translates market and customer insights into detailed Product Requirements Documents (PRDs), specifications, and commercial strategies.
• Actively participates in design reviews, balancing aesthetics, performance, and cost considerations.
• Evaluates trade-offs with a business-first mindset, ensuring speed to market without compromising quality.
• Collaborates with supply and sourcing teams to meet specs, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Market & End-User Insight
• Champions the voice of the customer and end-user through constant engagement with specifiers, sales teams, and channel partners.
• Conducts competition and gap analyses to identify opportunities for differentiation.
• Builds robust business cases to drive product strategy and justify investments.
• Monitors market trends, emerging technologies, and industry innovations to guide product vision and execution.
• Product Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
• Manages the full lifecycle of the architectural lighting portfolio, from inception to end-of-life.
• Develops and execute product roadmaps aligned with business objectives and channel requirements.
• Drives SKU optimization, strategic expansions, and portfolio rationalization initiatives.
• Establishes and achieves targets for pricing, margin, and revenue growth.
• Cross-Functional Program Leadership
• Leads product development projects across Engineering, Marketing, and Operations, maintaining accountability for timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Conducts regular working team meetings to ensure clear, consistent communication and alignment.
• Identifies risks early, develops mitigation strategies and keeps stakeholders informed and engaged
• Demonstrates visible leadership, maintains team accountability, and fosters trust across the organization.
• Commercialization & Market Launch
• Collaborates with Marketing to develop launch assets, training materials, and digital/literature support.
• Leads product training for internal teams and external customers, serving as the product authority.
• Provides post-launch support to ensure smooth adoption, continuous improvement, and effective lifecycle management.

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Training & Development: A comprehensive and structured training program, complemented by ongoing education and opportunities for career advancement.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation accrual and paid time off policies.
• Holidays: 7 paid holidays per year, in addition to 2 floating holidays.
• Compensation: Competitive compensation plan
• Health Benefits: Visual Comfort pays the majority of employees medical, vision, and dental coverage, available starting the first of the month following your start date.
• Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and short-term disability coverage.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching up to 4%, available beginning the first of the month following your hire date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior