Manager of Product Management

HexArmor® is a leader in developing some of the most advanced PPE solutions for your hands, eyes, and body. At HexArmor®, we believe safety is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Since day one, we have worked hand-in-hand with our customers to deliver innovative and effective PPE solutions to keep workers safe, and have done so, breaking new ground in cut, puncture, needle, and abrasion resistance, all without sacrificing dexterity.

The Manager of Product Management will lead and develop a team of Product Managers responsible for overseeing HexArmor’s below the neck product portfolio. This role is accountable for setting product strategy, driving cross-functional alignment, and ensuring that each product line delivers on business objectives. The Manager of Product Management partners with senior leadership across R&D, Marketing, Sales, Production, Finance, and Compliance to guide product investment decisions, manage portfolio costs, and build organizational capability within the product management function.

This position is fully onsite at HexArmor Headquarters – 640 Leffingwell Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

• →Team Leadership: Recruit, develop, and manage a team of Product Managers, providing mentorship, performance coaching, and clear direction to build a high-performing product management function.
• →Cross-functional Leadership: Serve as the primary liaison between R&D, Marketing, Category Management, Sales, Finance, Production, Compliance, and Quality Assurance to align priorities and resolve roadblocks.
• →Product Strategy: Define and communicate a cohesive product portfolio strategy aligned with HexArmor’s business goals, market opportunities, and customer needs.
• →Portfolio Management: Oversee the full lifecycle of all product lines, ensuring balanced investment across growth, maintenance, and end-of-life stages of the portfolio.
• →Financial Oversight: Execution on the portfolio’s cost performance, including supplier cost negotiations, cost benchmarking, and spend prioritization to optimize margin.
• →Supplier Management: Lead strategic supplier relationships and initiatives at a senior level, ensuring quality, cost, and delivery standards are met across the portfolio.
• →Market & Competitive Intelligence: Establish processes for continuous market research and competitive analysis, translating insights into actionable product strategies.
• →Product Development Governance: Oversee adherence to product development processes and stage-gate reviews in partnership with the Product Development team, ensuring the process is followed and quality and consistency are maintained across all product launches.
• →Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure all product lines meet applicable industry regulations, safety standards, and internal compliance requirements.
• →Talent Development: Build team capability through structured onboarding, training programs, and career development planning for product management staff.
• →Reporting & KPIs: Define, track, and report on key product performance indicators to senior leadership, driving accountability and informed decision-making.
• →PLM & Tools: Champion the adoption of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and standardized tools across the product management team to improve efficiency and data integrity.

• Bachelor’s Degree: degree in Business, Engineering, Sciences, or Design required

• 8+ years of experience in product management, supply chain, category management, or a related cross-functional role; people management experience desired
• Demonstrated success leading product managers or cross-functional teams in a manufacturing or industrial products environment
• Experience managing a multi-line product portfolio from concept through end of life
• Strong background in supplier negotiations and procurement strategy, particularly with international partners
• Proven track record of cross-functional leadership and executive-level communication
• Experience with PLM systems and product data management
• 10-20% travel to domestic customers and international partner facilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Experience with ERP and PLM systems strongly preferred
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and CAD tools is valued; candidates with hands-on experience in these areas will have a distinct advantage