Associate 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 six 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 Associate 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!What You’ll Do Day to Day (Responsibilities): Manage 5-12 new products through the product life cycle, from ideation to market launch, ensuring products align with our educational mission and meet quality standards.Products will include items available to all customers as well as custom items for specific customers.Take responsibility for project management tasks, including tracking key milestone dates, to ensure efficient project execution.Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including editorial, industrial design, creative, sales, custom solutions, and marketing, to bring innovative educational products to market on time and within budget.Work with vendors to quote products, negotiate prices, and determine delivery schedules to meet product launch goals.Support market research efforts by gathering data, customer feedback, and conducting competitor analysis to identify opportunities, trends, and insights that inform product strategy.Identify competitors, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and assess market trends.Organize, participate, and lead product testing for new concepts.Participate in data maintenance projects utilizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) and product related spreadsheets.Work closely with Sales and Marketing on key sample requests for customer meetings, photoshoots, video shoots, trade shows, etc.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: Within budget and timeline constraints, successfully lead cross-functional teams to develop and launch 5-12 new products that meet educational and quality standards or made to order products that meet specific retailer needs.Requirements/Ideal Attributes:Bachelor's Degree required1-3 years of consumer product development experience or 3-5 years working with children (i.e. PreK-5 education, speech language pathology, etc.).Excellent organization, presentation, and communication skills (both written and verbal).Creative mindset with entrepreneurial spirit who thinks outside the box.Able to meet multiple, challenging deadlines and work within budgets.Comfortable with analyzing basic financial data for assigned categories and to make recommendations that support overall brand/product goals.Excellent at solving problems creatively and/or knowing when to seek help.Proficient in Microsoft Office.Able to effectively communicate with key stakeholders including colleagues, executive team, vendors, and customers.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: $70,000 – $80,000 annual salary – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set and location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here). #LI-hybrid #hand2mind