Design Operations Manager Jobs in Salem, WI (NOW HIRING)

Key Responsibilities:

Product Strategy Execution

• Partners with Brand to translate product vision, strategy and roadmaps into clear product requirements and successful execution.
• Ensures product requirements, priorities and execution plans remain aligned with Brand strategy, consumer needs, and technical feasibility throughout development.

Market Research

• Reflects consumer insights, needs and market opportunities in product requirements.
• Translates brand and consumer insights into clear product requirements and user stories that guide development.

Innovation

• Facilitates product innovation and development of new features that solve consumer needs delivering product value through features, functionality, and performance.

Product Development, Launch Planning & Execution

• Oversees the product development lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Partners and supports cross functional teams in developing comprehensive product launch plans.
• Partners with brand and marketing teams to ensure product features align with consumer expectations and brand promise.
• Coordinates with engineering, design, operations, brand, and marketing teams to ensure successful product execution.
• Partners with engineering and cross functionally to ensure a timely delivery and a successful launch.

Sales Enablement

• Provides the sales team with detailed product information and training to support go-to-market efforts.

Performance Monitoring & Optimization

• Monitors and analyzes product performance using data-driven insights.
• Conducts competitive analysis and makes informed recommendations to optimize product features, functionality, and user experience.

Customer/Consumer Interaction

• Participates with brand in understanding consumer feedback and concept product fit to ensure product features deliver consumer promise.

User Experience

• Translates customer needs, brand direction, business goals, and technical constraints into clear, actionable product features and user stories.
• Collaborates with UX/UI designers, engineers, and stakeholders to define features that solve real user problems and align with the Brand-owned product vision and roadmap.

Campaigns and Promotions

• Supports brand on technical, feature, and product aspects of launches.

Technology and AI Integration

• Champions an AI-first mindset and the responsible integration of AI and other digital technologies into business strategy, prioritization, risk management, decision-making, and operations. Guides organizational adoption while ensuring alignment with company governance, security, privacy, and ethical standards.

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, business, product management or equivalent.
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in product management involving complex electronics, embedded firmware, mobile applications, connected products or consumer technology.
• Proven experience utilizing market insights, market research and data analysis to understand consumer needs, and market opportunities related to product requirements.
• Comprehensive understanding of product lifecycle management, product launch best practices, and the translation of consumer needs into technical product requirements.
• Skills and abilities to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously from product conception to launch which includes supporting the development and successful delivery of complex product solutions from concept to launch.
• Demonstrated success and experience developing new and improving product requirements, features, user experiences and product performance through consumer feedback, testing and data driven insights.
• Advanced consulting and leadership skills to effectively translate Brand strategy into product requirements and partner with cross functional teams to successfully deliver products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with diverse individuals internally and externally. Advanced consulting skills and ability to partner with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful launch and performance of our products.
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office suite including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, business impact, governance, risk, and ethical expectations. Ability to apply AI-supported insights to strategic decision-making, lead change, set expectations, and model responsible use.

A few pointers about our culture:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out in the great outdoors.
• We are laser-focused on our consumers, and passionate about providing superior solutions flexible to meet any event's needs or mission requirements.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value team members who are willing to wear many hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask for help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive:

• Share in the company's success with competitive base salary with additional earning potential through participation in the management bonus program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Find work/life balance with generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits, a full benefits package, and broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoy a collaborative and casual work environment, participate in fun company events, and take advantage of great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, college savings program, life and LTD insurance, and more.

Business & Brand Snapshot
* Industry: Outdoor Recreation & Consumer Products
* Business Unit: Diving
* Brands: SCUBAPRO
* Products: Dive Computers, Regulators, BCDs, Dive Instruments, Underwater Equipment and Accessories
* Key Skills: Product Development, Consumer Insights, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Product Marketing, Product Management, Regulatory Compliance, Embedded Systems, Electronics, Mobile Applications
* Technology Focus: Dive Computers, Wearable Technology, Underwater Electronics, Pressure Systems, Life-Support Equipment, Connected Devices

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Johnson Outdoors (and all subsidiaries) without regard to race; creed; color; religion; national origin; sex; age; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; genetic predisposition or carrier status; veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or any other status protected by law. Johnson Outdoors is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at HRSpecialAccommodations@johnsonoutdoors.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak; Carlisle paddles; Minn Kota fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon downriggers; Humminbird marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO dive equipment; Jetboil outdoor cooking systems. Founded in 1970 by Samuel C. Johnson, the Company has delivered double-digit compound annual growth over its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $663 million global enterprise with around 1,300 employees across 20 countries.