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New Product Development Manager Jobs in Michigan

Product Development Manager

Grand Rapids, MI

$110K - $137K/yr

... Development Manage with 5-7 years of experience leading product development and innovation ... Lead the design and development of new physical product concepts from opportunity identification ...

Product Development Manager

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$110K - $137K/yr

... Development Manage with 5-7 years of experience leading product development and innovation ... Lead the design and development of new physical product concepts from opportunity identification ...

Lead execution of production formulations for new specifications Key Interactions * Product Development Manager/VP of Technology * Quality Manager * Plant Manager * Material Suppliers * Customers ...

Lead execution of production formulations for new specifications Key Interactions * Product Development Manager/VP of Technology * Quality Manager * Plant Manager * Material Suppliers * Customers ...

Business Development Manager - EFC (Elastomeric Flow Control) Reports to: Global Sales & Marketing ... New product development: * Translate customer needs into clear product solutions and associated ...

In addition, he/she supports the various brand strategies, including the support of the new product ... Development, Regional Account Management, Operations, Engineering, New Product Development and ...

$120 - $180/hr

Manages new product development design, testing and production scaling, working closely with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance. * Provides leadership for employee relations through effective ...

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New Product Development Manager information

See Michigan salary details

$37K

$110.7K

$125.9K

How much do new product development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for new product development manager in Michigan is $110,682.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,800.00 and $124,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges a new product development manager faces when bringing a product from concept to market?

A New Product Development Manager often encounters challenges such as aligning cross-functional teams, managing shifting project timelines, and balancing innovation with cost and feasibility constraints. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as the role requires close collaboration with marketing, engineering, supply chain, and executive stakeholders. Navigating these complexities while ensuring that the product meets both customer needs and business objectives is a key part of the position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a new product development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a New Product Development Manager, you need expertise in product lifecycle management, market analysis, and project leadership, typically supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with product management tools (such as Jira or Trello), CAD software, and methodologies like Agile or Stage-Gate is often required. Exceptional communication, creativity, and cross-functional collaboration skills set top performers apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for successfully guiding products from concept to market launch while meeting business objectives and customer needs.

What is the difference between New Product Development Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectNew Product Development ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusOverseeing the development of new products from concept to launchManaging existing products' lifecycle, features, and market fit
Required SkillsInnovation, project management, cross-functional collaborationMarket analysis, user experience, strategic planning
Work EnvironmentR&D teams, engineering, design departmentsMarketing, sales, customer support teams
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, tech, consumer goodsWidespread across tech, retail, software industries

While both roles involve product development, the New Product Development Manager primarily focuses on creating new products from scratch, coordinating R&D efforts, and managing innovation projects. In contrast, the Product Manager typically oversees the lifecycle of existing products, ensuring they meet market needs and business goals. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and find suitable candidates for each role.

What are the most commonly searched types of New Product Development jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of New Product Development jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to New Product Development Manager jobs in Michigan?

For New Product Development Manager jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for New Product Development Manager jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most New Product Development Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various New Product Development Manager job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,682 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Product Development Manager

Grand Rapids, MI


UFP Industries
Wood Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 91 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

325th of 545 rated manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks


$110K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Industrial Designer / Product Development Manage with 5-7 years of experience leading product development and innovation initiatives from concept through commercialization. This role combines product development leadership with innovation process deployment, tool implementation, and organizational capability building.

UFP Innovation is looking for the right candidate with a strongbackground in Industrial Design, Consumer-Centric Innovation, and Cross-Functional Leadership. The ideal candidate is passionate about helping teams transform ideas into successful products while serving as a leader and trainer of innovation best practices, methodologies, and continuous improvement. This individual will drive adoption of innovation frameworks, facilitate workshops, coach cross-functional teams, and establish repeatable processes that improve the effectiveness and speed of new product development.

Preferred Locations:

  • Grand Rapids, MI (Preferred)
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • St. Louis, MO

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of new physical product concepts from opportunity identification through launch.
  • Translate customer needs, market insights, and business objectives into compelling product solutions.
  • Create and evaluate product concepts, prototypes, and design specifications.
  • Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure design feasibility and commercialization success.
  • Lead projects through structured Innovation and Stage-Gate development processes.
  • Facilitate ideation sessions, design sprints, and innovation workshops.
  • Apply Design Thinking, Lean Innovation, and customer discovery methodologies to identify unmet market needs.
  • Conduct concept testing and consumer validation activities.
  • Support portfolio management and prioritization activities.
  • Partner with Business Leaders, R&D, Engineering, Operations, Marketing, and Commercial teams.
  • Build strong relationships and influence decision-making across multiple levels of the organization.
  • Present concepts, recommendations, and project updates to senior leadership.
  • Conduct customer interviews, ethnographic research, usability studies, and competitive assessments.
  • Translate consumer insights into actionable design and development opportunities.
  • Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, materials, and manufacturing innovations.
  • Provide support for other department projects as needed

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or closely related field (Required).
  • 5-7 years of product development experience.
  • Experience developing physical products from concept to commercialization.
  • Demonstrated success working within structured product development environments.
  • Experience collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and commercial teams.

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.




UFP Industries logo

About UFP Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Universal Forest Products, Inc., is a U.S.-based global corporation that finds reward in its roots and its hard-earned success. Founded in 1955 as a supplier of lumber to the manufactured housing industry, Universal today is a multibillion-dollar holding company with subsidiaries around the globe that serve three robust markets: retail, industrial and construction. Since 1993, Universal has been publicly traded (Nasdaq: UFPI). We re headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Industry

Wood product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Grand Rapids, MI, US

Year founded

1955

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Hours and flexibility

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