Director, Product Management - Backplane

The Director, Product Management will be responsible for leading a global product portfolio, developing and executing product strategies, and driving business growth. This role requires a commercially savvy leader with strong strategic vision and the ability to collaborate across functions, including Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations. The Director will oversee a team of global product managers and ensure alignment with company objectives to maximize revenue, profitability, and market share.

This position requires a general manager mindset, with a focus on market-driven decision-making, innovation, and operational execution. The ideal candidate will possess a strong mix of technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership capabilities to navigate complex global markets and drive sustained, profitable growth.

Market Strategy & Product Development

• Analyze market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to develop comprehensive product strategies.
• Conduct market segmentation, define value propositions, and create go-to-market strategies that differentiate the portfolio.
• Develop and manage product roadmaps aligned with business goals, ensuring long-term growth and profitability.
• Collaborate with R&D and Operations to drive new product development, ensuring market needs and cost, quality, and timeline objectives are met.
• Identify and pursue partnerships, acquisitions, and other inorganic growth opportunities.

Business Planning & Execution

• Develop and execute annual business plans, defining sales, technology, and operational strategies.
• Establish pricing policies, sales targets, and financial goals, ensuring alignment across departments.
• Oversee new product launches, including marketing, sales enablement, and demand forecasting.
• Serve as the opportunity champion for new growth initiatives, ensuring business cases are well-justified and aligned with company priorities.
• Track performance against business plans, identifying gaps and implementing corrective actions.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-cultural team of global product managers.
• Foster strong collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations to ensure successful execution of product initiatives.
• Serve as a key customer advocate, engaging directly with clients to understand needs and ensure alignment with product strategy.
• Act as a thought leader, providing insights into industry trends, competitive positioning, and future growth opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 10+ years in B2B commercial roles, including at least 5 years in product management.
• Proven success in engineering/manufacturing-driven industries.
• Experience in cloud/datacenter hardware architectures is a plus.
• Strong track record of leading strategic growth initiatives and managing P&L.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or technical field required; MBA preferred.
• Ability to travel globally (approximately 30%).

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to translate market insights into actionable plans.
• Excellent analytical and financial acumen, with experience managing pricing, margins, and profitability.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of articulating complex ideas to various stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation, execution, and business growth.