Strategic Product Manager

National Restaurant Association • Chicago, IL

23d • Hybrid

About The Position

The National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are seeking an experienced Strategic Product Manager to lead and execute plans for their restaurant and hospitality-focused markets portfolio. This role involves driving business strategies and the lifecycle of multiple product lines within the foodservice-industry-focused risk and compliance business segment. The Strategic Product Manager will serve as an internal advocate and leader, managing the day-to-day business of the products, monitoring performance, conducting customer learning activities and competitive analysis, and identifying customer-focused solutions. Collaboration with various internal departments including Development, Marketing, Sales, Platforms, IT, Regulatory, Customer Operations, and Finance & Accounting is essential. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years of product management experience in B2B or B2C digital education products, with an understanding of eLearning capabilities and education trends. This is a hybrid role, operating out of the Chicago office with a requirement of three days onsite (Monday-Wednesday) and flexibility for remote work on Thursdays and Fridays.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s in business administration preferred.
• Minimum three years of experience in product management, marketing, or development.
• Experience in B2B and B2C digital education/training software products a plus.
• Deep functional knowledge of product life cycles, strategic planning, sales, and marketing strategy.
• Proven experience and knowledge of education/training and certification software and delivery solutions (e.g., Learning Management Systems).
• Strong communication skills; verbal, written and presentation.
• Self-motivated, customer-focused, and capable of building business partnerships.
• Highly effective organizational, time-management, priority-setting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, conflict management, and diplomacy skills.
• Computer proficiency across MS Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Ability to learn other computer software program/database systems as needed.
• Highly adaptable; ability to work well under pressure, within fast-paced environment, both in office and virtual.
• Functional knowledge of financial and business metrics.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of work records.
• Positive, progressive attitude.
• Sound business judgment; accurately differentiate situations that require upper-management consultation from those that allow for independent decision-making.
• Ability to prioritize and drive multiple projects in a fluid, politically sensitive business environment.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Master's in business administration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, communicate, and execute a strategic plan for a multi-product portfolio in the Health & Safety business segment that grows market share and revenue.
• Cultivate a comprehensive understanding of and maintain expertise on the market landscape of the restaurant, food service, and food retail industries for products in the assigned portfolio, including customer needs and expectations; competitive landscape; market trends; and potential threats and opportunities.
• Manage the product life cycle for all products in the assigned portfolio, from business case to retirement, within scope and budget.
• Collaborate with and support other functional leaders across the Business Services team and the larger Product organization.
• Collaborate with and support portfolio-related work of the course and exam development teams.
• Partner with Platforms and IT teams to frame business requirements for technology that supports product implementation and delights customers.
• Work with Business Analysts to frame requirements needed for the PBIs (user stories) that drive technical work related to assigned products and other team projects.
• Work closely with other Health & Safety teams (Regulatory; Accreditation; etc.) to meet business segment goals.
• Leverage a data-driven and research-based approach to ensure products in portfolio meet B2C and B2B customer expectations and implementation requirements, including purchase, access, and delivery.
• Be the visionary and advocate for the portfolio, driving goals for the portfolio with internal partners and stakeholders.
• Provide thought leadership on pricing, business model, and technology strategies.
• Identify and test product ideas, assumptions, and features using focus groups, customer interviews, user testing, and advisory groups.
• Regularly analyze product and portfolio plans to align revenue forecasting and measurement of progress towards goals.
• Assist the Sr. Director, Product Management in driving departmental goals.

Benefits

• Outstanding healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision)
• Competitive salaries
• Generous vacation and leave time
• Matching 401(k) plan
• Unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships
• Programs to support career and skills development, including learning and tuition assistance

What This Job Offers

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