What does a launch manager do?
A launch manager is primarily in charge of overseeing and spearheading the efforts in introducing new products and services to the market. Their responsibilities include setting objectives, performing research and analysis to establish marketing plans, coordinating with different teams in finding and developing marketing opportunities, managing timelines and budgets, supervising promotional procedures, and conducting inspections to ensure the quality and readiness of products and services for launch. Furthermore, as a launch manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Launch manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real launch manager resumes:
- Manage agency to develop the creative and logistics.
- Create SQL queries to update and manage critical database tables.
- Direct all aspects of APQP for the JIT while managing a global supply base.
- Create SBS WW OEM field scorecard and manage process with OEM CRM team to implement.
- Manage production planning to ensure medical combination product portfolio on-time delivery to European pharmaceutical clients
- Participate in various departmental efforts and committees, including project metrics, process improvement and documentation of PMO best practices.
- SAP system set up and raw material logistics implementation.
- Single point of contact for OEM confirmatory assay and launch.
- Introduce APQP tools, DFMEA and PFMEA process controls for complex projects.
- Assist on multiple PMO projects by creating the schedule and preparing project team discussion materials.
- Approve and oversee all skil trades PPAP (production part approval process) submissions and activities.
- Develop PPAP tracking matrix for management to provide a snap shoot view of entire vehicle parts.
- Focuse on creation of an organizational unit and processes that support platform architecture and implementation efforts throughout the enterprise.
- Migrate gross requirements planning/scheduling to computerize ERP-based MRP system.
Launch manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Launch Managers are proficient in Project Management, Lifecycle Management, and APQP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Interpersonal skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Launch Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 17%
Designed, developed and implemented standardized project management program, which included training the entire organization.
- Lifecycle Management, 8%
Lead Operations NPI/Lifecycle management for all assigned programs by working with departments Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Process Engineering & Quality.
- APQP, 6%
Used the APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) process as a guideline for conducting launches.
- Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Optimized manufacturing processes resulting in increased efficiency and reduced costs through lean manufacturing.
- Program Management, 6%
Facilitate training for Mexico and Brazil Operations as well as the US Design and Program Management Center (DPM).
- Product Development, 5%
Managed 75-100 projects per year from concept/product development/design.
Common skills that a launch manager uses to do their job include "project management," "lifecycle management," and "apqp." You can find details on the most important launch manager responsibilities below.
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a launch manager to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to generate new and imaginative ideas." Additionally, a launch manager resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "managed agency to develop the creative and logistics. "
Interpersonal skills. Many launch manager duties rely on interpersonal skills. "managers must deal with a range of people in different roles, both inside and outside the organization.," so a launch manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways launch manager responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "enhanced interpersonal communication experience through problem-solving and idea generation with marketing and industrial design partners"
Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of launch managers is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday launch manager duties, as "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to analyze industry trends to determine the most promising strategies for their organization." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "reviewed gd&t; on drawings, verified cmm data. "
Communication skills. For certain launch manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a launch manager rely on this skill, as "managers must be able to communicate effectively with a broad-based team made up of other managers or staff members during the advertising, promotions, and marketing process." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what launch managers do: "managed advertising and pr agencies and internal design department on integrated marketing communication programs for product lines. "
Organizational skills. A commonly-found skill in launch manager job descriptions, "organizational skills" is essential to what launch managers do. Launch manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must manage their time and budget efficiently while directing and motivating staff members." You can also see how launch manager duties rely on organizational skills in this resume example: "partnered with various departments to assess organizational production, analyze roi, and formulate marketing strategies. "
The three companies that hire the most launch managers are:
- Meta57 launch managers jobs
- Microsoft24 launch managers jobs
- Lucid Motors12 launch managers jobs
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Compare different launch managers
Launch manager vs. Senior product marketing manager
A senior product marketing manager develops marketing projects and programs for new products, aiming to attract consumers and increase the brand value, which will translate into sales. They primarily have administrative duties such as making decisions, establishing schedules and guidelines, setting budgets and goals, delegating responsibilities among teams, and monitoring their progress, solving issues and concerns when any arise. They also lead the efforts to conduct market research and analyses, create marketing materials, and streamlining project requirements, all while implementing standards and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a launch manager are more likely to require skills like "project management," "apqp," "lean manufacturing," and "program management." On the other hand, a job as a senior product marketing manager requires skills like "digital marketing," "product management," "cloud," and "market research." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Senior product marketing managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $134,623. Comparatively, launch managers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $114,698.senior product marketing managers tend to reach similar levels of education than launch managers. In fact, senior product marketing managers are 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Launch manager vs. Marketing and operations manager
A marketing and operations manager handles the marketing program and campaigns of an organization. Marketing and operations managers plan and create production process management, data and analytics, brand compliance, and technology infrastructure. They oversee both the marketing and positioning of the product or brand they sell. It is their duty to establish promotions with advertising managers. Skills they need to develop include good motivational skills, customer service, and relation awareness, strong negotiation skills, and exceptional communication skills.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, launch manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "lifecycle management," "apqp," "lean manufacturing," and "program management." Meanwhile, a marketing and operations manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "digital marketing," "salesforce," "lead management," and "crm." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Marketing and operations managers earn a lower average salary than launch managers. But marketing and operations managers earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $96,074. Additionally, launch managers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $114,698 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Marketing and operations managers tend to reach lower levels of education than launch managers. In fact, they're 5.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Launch manager vs. Business development manager
A business development manager's duties include identifying business opportunities, developing effective models and strategies to improve business performance, searching for potential clients to generate income and attract partnerships. A business development manager must have extensive knowledge of the market trends and adjust strategies as needed to meet the needs of the client. Excellent communication, decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership skills are just some of the key factors that business development managers should possess to communicate and negotiate with the clients.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a launch manager is likely to be skilled in "lifecycle management," "apqp," "lean manufacturing," and "program management," while a typical business development manager is skilled in "customer service," "crm," "healthcare," and "business relationships."
Business development managers earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $103,515. Launch managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $114,698.When it comes to education, business development managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to launch managers. In fact, they're 3.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Launch manager vs. Assistant marketing manager
An assistant marketing manager is primarily responsible for overseeing marketing operations, reaching sales targets and boosting brand awareness. There are also instances where one must coordinate with various marketing staff to develop plans and strategies, utilize knowledge on trends to determine new opportunities, conduct marketing projects and campaigns, and produce sales forecasts from financial data. Furthermore, an assistant marketing manager may perform clerical duties such as delivering progress reports and presentations, managing schedules, and responding to calls and inquiries.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between launch managers and assistant marketing managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a launch manager might have more use for skills like "lifecycle management," "apqp," "lean manufacturing," and "program management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of assistant marketing managers require skills like "digital marketing," "marketing campaigns," "strong project management," and "seo. "
In general, assistant marketing managers earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $99,097. The highest-paying industry for a launch manager is the technology industry.In general, assistant marketing managers hold lower degree levels compared to launch managers. Assistant marketing managers are 5.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of launch manager
Updated January 8, 2025
