Global Director, Product Management – Clinical Assays - Hybrid San Diego CA

Overview

The Global Director of Product Management, Clinical Assays is responsible for the full Clinical, Research, and Custom Assay portfolio, reporting to the VP/GM, Reagents & Assays. This leader will oversee global product management for the Waters Biosciences assay portfolio, including strategy, roadmap development, new product introduction, and end‑to‑end product lifecycle management.

The role leads the global assay product management marketing team and is accountable for defining and executing portfolio strategies, driving commercial deployment, and supporting sales enablement. The incumbent will work closely with the Pharma/Companion Diagnostics team to evolve the assay roadmap and will serve as a member of the Reagents & Assays business leadership team. This individual will also lead key strategic initiatives and contribute to enterprise planning deliverables, including Portfolio Reviews, Annual Strategic Plans, Annual Marketing Plans, and Marketing Budgets.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience in the development and commercialization of clinical diagnostics and will help position the business as a market leader in clinical assays.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Leadership

• Define long‑term product strategy and roadmap aligned with business objectives across all assay products, including Clinical assays.
• Translate unmet customer needs into actionable product requirements that deliver differentiated, market‑leading solutions.
• Develop and maintain product roadmaps, including generation of new product concepts and associated business cases to support portfolio and annual strategic reviews.
• Build detailed business cases to justify investment in new products and lifecycle improvements to enhance margin, reliability, and competitiveness.
• Lead full product lifecycle management by partnering with R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and sales; provide marketing leadership within cross‑functional development and project teams.
• Execute high‑impact product launches with clear target segments, value propositions, and comprehensive commercial training.

Commercial & Marketing Leadership

• Lead and develop the global assay product management team, strengthening marketing capabilities across global and regional organizations.
• Partner proactively with regional sales teams on commercialization and adoption plans, including sales enablement, customer training, product support, and demand forecasting.
• Maintain deep understanding of customer needs, regulatory requirements, reimbursement dynamics, and competitive landscapes in clinical diagnostics.
• Oversee market segmentation, unmet‑needs analysis, and pipeline assessments in collaboration with regional teams.
• Drive market research and Voice‑of‑Customer activities to inform strategy, portfolio planning, and go‑to‑market execution.
• Analyze business performance including market share, competitive activity, customer buying behavior, and promotional effectiveness to guide portfolio decisions.
• Lead competitive benchmarking to inform new product concepts, line extensions, and positioning.
• Contribute to annual marketing plans and tactical execution across all assay products.
• Oversee development of scientific, clinical, and digital content supporting assay products.
• Lead development of economic value propositions and segment‑specific pricing guidance to maximize revenue and margin.

Business Operations & Strategy

• Oversee analysis of portfolio performance, including revenue, market share, pricing, and key performance indicators.
• Contribute to demand forecasting as part of an integrated SIOP process.
• Partner with leadership and business development to evaluate new technologies, product lines, strategic partnerships, and M&A opportunities.
• Lead development of market models and revenue forecasts for existing and future offerings.
• Participate directly in periodic management reviews with Segment, Division, and Enterprise leadership.
• Serve as the senior clinical assay leader with strong executive presence and clear, effective communication.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in life sciences or MBA preferred (marketing or strategy focus).
• Minimum 10 years of experience in life sciences or clinical diagnostics, including 7–10 years in product management, product marketing, new product commercialization, or strategic planning.
• Strong preference for experience in Immunology and/or Immuno‑Oncology.
• Demonstrated success launching and managing IVD/CE‑IVD assays; experience in flow cytometry and/or hematologic oncology preferred.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, market access, and reimbursement environments.
• Proven ability to partner with R&D and lead cross‑functional product development through all GPDS stages.
• Ability to work onsite in San Diegeo ( hybrid Monday - Thursday ) Relocation assistance may be considered 

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. 

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.