Job Description

Job Summary

The Product Manager Director serves as the strategic leader and “mini-CEO” of one or more product lines, owning business performance and driving long-term, profitable growth. This role integrates customer and market insights to define product strategy, leads cross-functional execution across the full product lifecycle, and represents the product line at the executive level while mentoring junior team members.

Success in this role requires extensive collaboration with internal functions (R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Legal) and external stakeholders (customers, suppliers, contract manufacturers, and industry partners).

This individual is accountable for maximizing product line value across its lifecycle and requires experience in defense and government markets, including ITAR and U.S. import/export regulations. Familiarity with Tier 1 defense contractors (e.g., BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon) and working knowledge of CMMC/CUI requirements are strongly preferred.

This position spans a diverse portfolio—including optics, ceramics, and thermal solutions—requiring broad technical acumen and strong program management capability.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Manage P&L and Financial Performance – 60%

• Own full product line P&L, driving revenue growth, profitability, forecasting, and capacity planning.
• Define and execute product line strategy, including annual plans, 5-year outlooks, and long-term roadmaps aligned with market opportunities and company objectives.
• Lead end-to-end product lifecycle management, from requirements definition through development, launch, and portfolio optimization.
• Drive cross-functional execution with engineering, R&D, operations, marketing, and sales to deliver competitive, manufacturable, and differentiated products.
• Develop business cases and guide investment decisions, including capital expenditures and R&D initiatives, ensuring alignment with financial and strategic goals.
• Act as the market and competitive expert, maintaining deep insight into TAM/SAM, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to inform strategy and response plans.

• Influence at the executive level through data-driven storytelling, while mentoring product managers and shaping organizational priorities. 

   

Sustaining Support of The/Your Business – 40%

• Partner with sales to drive bookings and revenue, including pricing strategy, customer messaging, and winning proposals.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, ensuring alignment on technical requirements and long-term business opportunities.
• Ensure successful product launches and ongoing market success through coordinated marketing and go-to-market strategies.
• Oversee operational performance, including order fulfillment, delivery, quality, cost, and margin—driving issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Lead customer support and engineering responsiveness to strengthen satisfaction, retention, and competitive positioning.

• Drive continuous cost reduction and efficiency improvements across the product line. Develop and manage strong business/technical relationships at customers

   

Education & Experience

• BS in Engineering or a technical field is required.  MBA or MS/PhD in Engineering strongly preferred
• The ideal candidate will have significant business experience (Product Management, Engineering, Operations Management, R&D and/or Product Marketing) in a technical environment.
• Proven track record of delivering results, influencing organizational strategy, and driving innovation.
• 15+ years of experience in Product Management/Engineering Leadership roles in the materials or related industry
• Experience in defense and government markets, including ITAR and U.S. Government import/export requirements, is strongly preferred.

• Experience working with prime Tier 1 defense contractors such as BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon is strongly preferred.

   

Skills & Other Requirements

• Advanced strategic, systemic, and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Deep product acumen with the ability to identify and capture market opportunities.
• Strong technical knoweldge of theproduct line(s) and the product applications.
• Strong financial and business analysis skills to evaluate investments and product line performance.
• Excellent executive communication and persuasive presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor cross-level product management talent.
• Ability to influence decision-making across all levels of the organization.
• Highly adaptable and decisive in dynamic market environments.
• Experience with problem analysis and resolution at the strategic and functional levels
• Abililty to travel, up to 40% anticipated.

• U.S. citizenship required.

   

   

Working Conditions

Normal office conditions

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with others to exchange information
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently.  They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

Quality & Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Employees are required to maintain a quality work environment that is safe, clean, organized and environmentally compliant.

Responsible for maintaining Quality Work Environment housekeeping standards for own work area and community areas.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome 

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work