Product Manager Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides complete information on the job description of a product manager, to help you learn the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically do.

What Does a Product Manager Do?

A product manager is the one who investigates, selects, as well as drives the development of products for a company or an organization, performing the functions of product management.

On a general note, a product manager’s job description may involve managing two or more tangible products.

He/she will consider various factors, like products offered by competitors, intended demographic, and how well the product would fit into the organization’s business model.

The term “product manager” may also be used to describe someone who manages intangible products, such as information and services, or even music.

The role of a product manager in tangible goods industries can be likened to a program director’s role in service industries.

There are diverse interpretations as per the functions of the product manager.

The title is often used in various ways to describe drastically different responsibilities and duties.

Within the high-tech industry where product management believed to be better defined, the manager’s job description varies widely among companies.

In the banking cum insurance industries, product managers oversee products like profit and loss and credit card portfolios, and also determine the business development strategy.

A product manager, who is sometimes referred to as the product’s “CEO”, is responsible for initiating the various activities relating to ensuring that the product delivered meets users’ needs.

A software product manager’s role changes as the software progresses through its lifecycle.

In the early developmental process of the product, he/she would meet the prospective user of the product to engage in requirements negotiation. But later in the lifecycle the product, his/her primary focus would be in the acceptance testing of the product.

Throughout the entire stages of the product development process, the manager will evaluate competition and market trends, represent the end user’s needs and thereafter use this information to determine what features to build.

For instance, they may decide to add a feature because it is needed to stay competitive or it is needed because users are asking for it.

In order to fast track this decision making process they may set out a general framework for making product decisions, or set a vision for the product.

They would also ensure collaboration between all the members of the team, as well as an atmosphere of cohesiveness, just in the interest of driving the product forward.

Product Manager Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The job description example shown below represents the commonly performed duties, tasks, and responsibilities of product managers in most firms.

• Cooperate with cross-functional teams to define a feasible and compelling product vision
• Prioritize, conceptualize and write product requirements
• Train and evangelize marketing, services, and delivery teams
• Communicate progress against roadmap throughout the organization
• Coordinate high-quality, predictable product releases
• Refine product vision based on working team, end user feedback, as well as internal and external thought leaders
• Track product effectiveness
• Continually work toward a sustained and tangible value proposition
• Make sure market messaging corresponds with product functionality

Product Manager Job Description for Resume

A good source of valuable information for the creation of a resume for the product manager job can be found in the sample job description given above.

This information can be employed particularly in preparing the employment history section of the resume.

Product Manager Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Career Success

Below are key traits, including knowledge, skills, and abilities product managers are required to possess to be effective on the job:

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience working as a product marketing manager or product manager
• Demonstrated success defining
• Demonstrated launching of excellent products
• 3+ years of experience in a job in the products market
• Excellent communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred)
• Technical background
• Experience in product designs and launching
• Excellent teamwork skills
• Must be able to travel 60% of the time

See 15 product manager skills to be best on the job.