What does a product design manager do?
A product design manager typically works with engineers and specialists in the joint effort to develop high-quality standard products. As a product design manager, they are responsible for managing product design teams, understanding and identifying a project's needs, performing research and analysis, setting objectives and guidelines, liaising with external parties, and presenting prototypes for client approval. Moreover, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach product goals while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Product design manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real product design manager resumes:
- Create, implement and manage the QA program.
- Lead teams for branding, wire-framing, prototyping, user-testing, UX and UI design, and more.
- Lead cross-functional team in pioneering the application/game download ecosystem with the implementation of Java games and generating significant new revenue stream.
- Update product line launch PowerPoint; create marketing presentations for sales and clients.
- paper prototyping and usability studies) into design team.
- Maintain production schedule in AS400 base MAPICS XA MRP system.
- Complete comprehensive POS to evaluate success and sell-through on seasonal programs.
- Participate in initial brainstorming and ideation, all the way to production including packaging, instructions, and safety testing.
- Design all necessary visual assets & artwork supporting UI designs, as well as any technical requirements to realize the designs.
- Adjust and implement local marketing mix and develop gift sets, consumer incentives, POS materials, samples and launch kits.
- Prepare PowerPoint presentations for executive meetings.
- Migrate gross requirements planning/scheduling to computerize ERP-based MRP system.
- Develop documentation require by FDA regulate quality product development procedures.
- Perform financial analysis including ROI calculations & cost-benefit analysis to evaluate solutions.
- Gather business requirements, analyze current off-the-shelf CRM solutions, draft functional specifications and implement TMT's custom CRM solution.
Product design manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Product Design Managers are proficient in Product Design, User Research, and Sketch. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Product Design Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Product Design, 15%
Reported to Division General Manager While Manager Product Design, directed design and application engineering groups.
- User Research, 13%
Managed quantitative and qualitative user research to guide product development.
- Sketch, 12%
Generated specification packages, which included correct sample, flat sketch, construction details and estimated bill of materials.
- Product Management, 7%
Provided a weekly report to Merchandising, Product Management & Designs on status & outstanding samples needed.
- Facebook, 6%
Originated idea for and led Facebook Connect integration project.
- Visual Design, 6%
Performed field research, interaction and visual design, business validation and usability testing, as well as product launch activities.
"product design," "user research," and "sketch" are among the most common skills that product design managers use at work. You can find even more product design manager responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a product design manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what product design managers do because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to analyze industry trends to determine the most promising strategies for their organization." Additionally, a product design manager resume shows how product design managers use analytical skills: "worked closely with customers, service delivery, and product management to define, analyze, and capture business requirements. "
Communication skills. Many product design manager duties rely on communication skills. "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," so a product design manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways product design manager responsibilities rely on communication skills: "implement new processes and improved communication between buyers, design, and product management to ensure a higher number of approvals. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for product design managers to perform their duties. For an example of how product design manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to generate new and imaginative ideas." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a product design manager: "managed all aspects of 10 product lines including purchasing, inventory management, and marketing. ".
Interpersonal skills. product design manager responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "managers must deal with a range of people in different roles, both inside and outside the organization." This resume example shows what product design managers do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "enhanced interpersonal communication experience through problem-solving and idea generation with marketing and industrial design partners"
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a product design manager to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what product design managers relies on this skill, since "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must manage their time and budget efficiently while directing and motivating staff members." How this skill relates to product design manager duties can be seen in an example from a product design manager resume snippet: "established organizational policies, procedures, and processes that promote utilization of project management methodologies. "
The three companies that hire the most product design managers are:
- Cornerstone49 product design managers jobs
- Highmark46 product design managers jobs
- The Walt Disney Company20 product design managers jobs
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Compare different product design managers
Product design manager vs. Marketing manager/project manager
A marketing manager/project manager oversees a company's marketing programs and projects, aiming to attract more customers and increase the brand value of a business, product, or service. They primarily perform market research and assessments to identify marketing trends and opportunities, gather and analyze data to generate business leads, study the consumer and competitors in the industry, and identify the weaknesses and strengths of existing marketing projects, utilizing information to enhance operations. Additionally, a marketing manager/project manager leads operations and empowers staff while implementing company policies and industry standards.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between product design managers and marketing manager/project manager. For instance, product design manager responsibilities require skills such as "product design," "user research," "sketch," and "product management." Whereas a marketing manager/project manager is skilled in "project management," "digital marketing," "marketing campaigns," and "email campaigns." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Marketing manager/project managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $95,863. Comparatively, product design managers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $175,385.The education levels that marketing manager/project managers earn slightly differ from product design managers. In particular, marketing manager/project managers are 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a product design manager. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product design manager vs. Web manager
Web Managers are responsible for managing websites for organizations. Their duties include managing website upgrades, testing for website performance, implement a strategy to increase web traffic and subscribers, troubleshooting website issues, and responding to security breaches. They create content audits as well as ensuring the website has brand strategy alignment. A Web Manager ensures website compliance with all regulations and keeps abreast of the best practice of the industry. They must possess good problem-solving skills and knowledge in search engine optimization.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, product design manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "product design," "user research," "sketch," and "product management." Meanwhile, a web manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "digital marketing," "wordpress," "b testing," and "google analytics." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, web managers achieve similar levels of education than product design managers. They're 1.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product design manager vs. Market manager
A marketing manager is an executive who manages a brand or product's promotion positioning. Marketing managers analyze the trends in the industry and the demand for certain products and services. Typically, they attract more customers to purchase products and/or services and raise brand awareness through marketing campaigns. They research, identify, examine, and evaluate product demand. Also, they review advertising materials like print ads to boost the marketing strategy of the company and strengthen its campaign.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from product design manager resumes include skills like "product design," "user research," "sketch," and "product management," whereas a market manager is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "business development," "strong analytical," and "excellent interpersonal. "
Market managers make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $85,133. On the other hand, product design managers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $175,385.Most market managers achieve a similar degree level compared to product design managers. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product design manager vs. Media manager
Media managers oversee the department that works on the different communication needs of the company. They execute the communications strategies of the company. They are expected to be updated with the current trends on media platforms. They should also be very familiar with the company and are attuned to the company's brand and image so that they can create relevant communications campaigns. Media managers oversee content creation on different media platforms. They manage the research related to the content they are working on. They develop materials and ensure that these materials are engaging and relatable to the target audience.
Types of product design manager
Updated January 8, 2025
