Director, Product Management - HVAC

At Rite-Hite, your work makes an impact. As the global leader in loading dock and door equipment, we design and deliver solutions that keep our customers safe, secure, and productive. Here, you'll find innovation, stability, and the chance to grow your career as part of a team that's always looking ahead.

The Director of Product Management, HVAC Solutions is responsible for defining and executing the strategic direction, growth, and lifecycle management of Rite-Hite's HVAC product portfolio. This role leads the development and implementation of short- and long-term product strategies that drive profitable growth, innovation, and differentiated customer value.

This leader owns the global HVAC product portfolio end-to-end - from market insight and opportunity identification through product development, commercialization, and lifecycle optimization - ensuring alignment with Business Unit objectives, global product strategies, and regional market needs.

The role partners cross-functionally with engineering, operations, sales, service, marketing and IT to deliver high-impact solutions that improve energy efficiency, environmental control, and overall customer experience in industrial and warehouse environments.

This role is a key member of the Business Unit leadership team, influencing portfolio investment decisions and guiding global HVAC strategy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Market Insight & Strategy

• Lead voice-of-customer and market analysis to identify unmet needs, emerging trends, and growth opportunities within HVAC and environmental control solutions.
• Develop a deep understanding of regulatory requirements, energy efficiency trends, and sustainability drivers impacting global HVAC markets.
• Define competitive positioning and differentiation strategies to expand market share.
• Translate insights into actionable product strategies, investment priorities, and business cases.
• Identify adjacent opportunities (e.g., smart building integration, IoT-enabled HVAC, energy optimization solutions) and the appropriate strategy (build, acquire, partner).

Product & Portfolio Strategy

• Establish and communicate a clear product vision and multi-year strategy aligned with Business Unit growth and innovation objectives.
• Own the HVAC portfolio strategy, balancing customer value, financial performance, and operational feasibility.
• Prioritize initiatives using data-driven analysis and strategic alignment.
• Collaborate with global teams to ensure alignment across regions and platforms.

Portfolio Roadmap

• Develop and maintain a forward-looking 3+ year product roadmap that enables the business strategy and delivers key financial objectives.
• Lead cross-functional prioritization and trade-off decisions across scope, cost, and timing.
• Define product requirements incorporating customer, sales, service, and market inputs.
• Build and manage business cases and financial models for new product investments and major continuous improvement projects.
• Partner with engineering, operations, sales, service, marketing and IT to ensure successful execution of the roadmap.

Product Lifecycle Management

• Lead new product development from concept through commercialization and post-launch support and performance tracking to ensure ROI success.
• Own pricing strategy and margin targets in partnership with sales and finance.
• Drive lifecycle decisions including product enhancements, cost reduction, rationalization, and end-of-life planning.
• Monitor portfolio performance (revenue, margin, quality, adoption) and take corrective actions as needed to achieve business performance objectives.
• Identify and mitigate product and execution risks.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Lead initiatives to improve product cost, manufacturability, installation, serviceability, and customer experience.
• Simplify portfolio complexity to maximize profitability and operational efficiency while providing the required customer experience
• Align product strategy with manufacturing capabilities, supply chain, and service models.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across quality, delivery, and cost.
• Leverage Stage Gate product launch methodology to deliver on time and on budget new product development launches.

Go-to-Market & Commercial Enablement

• Partner with marketing and sales to define value propositions, positioning, and launch strategies.
• Support development of sales tools, pricing guidance, and training programs.
• Enable distribution and sales teams to effectively position HVAC solutions in the market.
• Provide subject matter expertise for key customers and strategic opportunities.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 8-12+ years of progressive product management experience, including portfolio leadership.
• Experience in HVAC, industrial equipment, building systems, or related technical products strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing products through the full lifecycle.
• Skilled at partner and market access development. M&A experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong strategic thinking and market insight capabilities.
• Technical aptitude in HVAC systems, environmental control, or related technologies (preferred).
• Financial acumen, including pricing strategy and business case development.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance customer needs, technical feasibility, and business outcomes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Travel up to 25% may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• May lead and develop a team of product managers and/or specialists.

What We Offer

At Rite-Hite, we take care of our people - because when you're supported, you can do your best work. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your future and your life outside of work:

• Health & Well-being: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance. A robust well-being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off and more.

• Financial Security: A strong retirement savings program with 401(k), company match, and profit sharing.

• Time for You: Paid holidays, vacation time, and personal/sick days each year.

Join us and build a career where you're supported - at work and beyond.

Rite-Hite is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. In accordance with VEVRAA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for protected veterans. We are also committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace for the safety of our employees and customers.