Contract Product Manager
Location: Onsite | Grand Rapids, MI
Contract Length: Most likely 4–6 weeks, with potential for extension

Engagement Type: Contract
Ideal Profile: Experienced, hands-on Product Manager from Manufacturing industry who can contribute immediately with minimal training.

About the Opportunity

TalentBridge is partnering with an established manufacturing organization to identify an experienced Product Manager for a short-term contract opportunity. This role is ideal for a hands-on, plug-and-play product management professional who can step in immediately and contribute without extensive onboarding or training.

The Product Manager will support the organization’s product portfolio and lead product launches from concept through commercialization using a traditional stage-gate process. The ideal candidate will have experience in manufacturing, OEM, or a related B2B product environment, along with a strong understanding of cross-functional product development.

Job Description Summary

The Product Manager owns a defined product portfolio across various sales channels. This position will translate customer insights and competitive intelligence into profitable products, manage day-to-day product management activities, and drive launches through a disciplined stage-gate process in close partnership with Sales, Engineering, and Operations.

The Product Manager will report to the Director of Marketing.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Roadmap

• Maintain a 2–3 year product roadmap aligned with business growth priorities and channel needs.
• Build business cases, including market sizing, pricing, margin modeling, and ROI, to prioritize initiatives.
• Monitor competitors and adjacent categories to identify gaps, trends, and threats.

New Product Development & Lifecycle

• Lead projects through the traditional stage-gate process, including Voice of Customer (VOC), requirements, specifications, pilot, launch, and post-launch review.
• Manage product lifecycle decisions, including extensions, cost reductions, rationalization, and end-of-life activities.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations on manufacturability, quality, timelines, and cost targets.

Go-to-Market & Commercial Enablement

• Define product positioning, messaging, packaging, and merchandising by channel.
• Develop sales tools and training materials and support trade shows, key customer meetings, and launch plans.
• Track KPIs such as revenue, gross margin percentage, price realization, and product adoption.
• Drive continuous improvement based on product and market performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Customer Focus
• Problem Solving
• Technical Expertise
• Time Management
• Strong Organizational Skills
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Requirements

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in B2B product management or product line management.
• Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to independently drive initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently and effectively.
• Strong understanding of product development and commercialization processes.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Engineering, or a related field.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook.
• Experience with project management and reporting software.

Communication Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across diverse, cross-functional teams.

Work Environment

• Primarily an office environment with regular interaction with manufacturing and warehouse operations.
• Exposure to manufacturing environments and moving equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in B2B product management or product line management.
• Experience with project management within an OEM or manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical and business case development skills.
• Experience leading new product development initiatives through a traditional stage-gate process.
• Experience with manufactured and internationally sourced products.
• Advanced degree in Marketing, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with Oracle or similar business systems.