Product Manager, Hardlines

Learning Resources • Full-time • Hybrid in Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States • $85,000 - $90,000 / year • 4d ago

Fast Facts

Hand2mind is seeking a creative and organized Product Manager to lead the development of innovative educational products and toys, ensuring they align with brand strategies and address the needs of teachers and students.

Responsibilities: Oversee the product lifecycle from ideation to market launch, manage vendor relationships, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and lead product revamps to meet evolving educational trends.

Skills: Strong project management, communication, analytical skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office, with the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; 3-5 years in product development or project management preferred, or 5-10 years in child-focused roles; advanced degree is a plus.

Location: Vernon Hills, IL, USA.

Compensation: $85000 - $90000 / Annually

About hand2mind:

We bring learning to life! Trusted by teachers for more than 55+ years, hand2mind creates engaging, classroom-tested materials that empower children to learn by doing. We are a 150-person strong, family-owned company that's been voted one of the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces for the last four consecutive years. In addition to building high-quality, hands-on learning materials for the classroom like VersaTiles® and Cuisenaire® Rods, we also develop educational toys for the home that make learning math, reading, social-emotional learning, and STEM fun and interactive. As a company, we are committed to our employee’s personal and professional development. That’s why we offer a competitive benefits package, a supportive culture, and a variety of training and development opportunities. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!

Team & Position Overview:

We are looking for a creative, organized, and resourceful Product Manager to oversee the development of our educational product and toy lines. You will thrive in a collaborative and rapidly evolving environment, managing a product portfolio from concept through to market launch. You will be responsible for steering cross-functional teams and working with overseas manufacturers, various internal departments and external licensors as needed to bring our innovative educational products to life. A sense of humor is a plus!

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the development of new product lines that align with our brand strategies and the educational needs of our target audience, both in the classroom and at home.
Manage relationships with external vendors and manufacturers. Lead efforts in sourcing, competitive research, and preparation of RFQs to meet quality and budget standards.
Drive the entire product lifecycle—from ideation to vendor sourcing and arrival in warehouse. Ensure compliance with quality standards and educational guidelines.
Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and E-commerce teams to develop and execute go-to- market strategies for new products. Ensure that both new and existing products are effectively marketed and distributed to customers and end-users.
Identify business development and other partner opportunities. Secure rights and manage intellectual property for the benefit of the company
Lead product revamps and updates on an as-needed basis to keep the product line competitive and aligned with evolving market demands and educational trends.

What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives):

Within 60 Days: Use project management tools like Monday.com to actively track milestones and ensure smooth execution for all ongoing projects.
Within 9 Months: Lead brainstorming sessions for future product ideation generating 20-30 ideas for building out the product road map.
Within 12 Months: Successfully lead cross-functional teams to develop and launch 12-15 new products that meet educational and quality standards, within budget and timeline constraints.

Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree preferred
3-5 years of experience in consumer product development or project management, or 5-10 years working with children (i.e. PreK-5 education, speech language pathology, etc.)
Ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines and budgets
Analytical skills for reviewing product performance and making data-driven decisions
Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, external vendors, and licensors
Strong problem-solving skills and a creative mindset
Proficient in Microsoft Office

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

Compensation Range: $85,000 – $90,000 annual salary – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set or location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here).

#Li-hybrid #hand2mind