Product Manager, Hardlines

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). 

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