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Upstream Product Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Medisca

Upstream Product Manager

The Upstream Product Manager is responsible for driving the front end of product innovation and strategy, translating market needs into actionable product opportunities and line extensions. This role ...

Fieldpiece

Senior Upstream Product Manager

Orange, CA · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline. * 10+ years of upstream product management, product marketing, or product strategy experience in a new‑product environment.

Healthcare

Global Upstream Product Manager

The Upstream Product Manager drives the execution of new product initiatives that advance the Advanced Wound Care Restorative Healing Technologies (RHT) Franchise's Build/Buy strategy and long-term ...

GC America Inc

Product Manager

Alsip, IL · On-site

This role owns the product management lifecycle across both upstream and downstream activities, with a primary focus on upstream product launch readiness, market opportunity assessment, product ...

GC America Inc

Product Manager

Alsip, IL

This role owns the product management lifecycle across both upstream and downstream activities, with a primary focus on upstream product launch readiness, market opportunity assessment, product ...

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Upstream Product Manager information

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$51.5K

$159.4K

$197K

How much do upstream product manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for upstream product manager in the United States is $159,405.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,000.00 and $197,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an upstream product manager?

An upstream product manager focuses on the early stages of product development, including market research, ideation, and setting the product vision and strategy. Their main responsibilities involve understanding customer needs, analyzing market trends, and defining product requirements before development begins. Unlike downstream product managers, who oversee product launch and go-to-market strategies, upstream product managers work closely with stakeholders to ensure the product concept aligns with business goals. This role is crucial for ensuring that the right products are built to meet market demands.

How does an upstream product manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the product development process?

Upstream Product Managers work closely with teams across engineering, design, marketing, and sales to define and validate new product concepts. They are responsible for gathering market insights, building business cases, and prioritizing features before development begins. Effective collaboration involves frequent communication, alignment meetings, and ensuring that all stakeholders understand the product vision and objectives. This collaborative approach helps streamline the transition from idea to development, reduces misalignment, and supports successful product launches.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an upstream product manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Upstream Product Manager, you need a solid background in market research, product strategy, and business analysis, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Jira, Aha!, and roadmapping software, as well as experience with Agile methodologies, is highly valuable. Strong communication, stakeholder management, and analytical thinking set exceptional candidates apart. These skills are vital for identifying market opportunities, defining product vision, and ensuring alignment between business goals and product development.

What is the difference between Upstream Product Manager vs Product Owner?

AspectUpstream Product ManagerProduct Owner
FocusMarket research, strategy, and defining product visionBacklog management, feature prioritization, and sprint planning
ResponsibilitiesIdentifying customer needs, setting product roadmap, coordinating with cross-functional teamsTranslating product vision into user stories, managing the product backlog
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-departmental, often involved in market analysisAgile teams, close collaboration with development teams
Required SkillsMarket analysis, strategic thinking, communicationAgile methodologies, communication, detailed product knowledge

While both roles focus on product development, the Upstream Product Manager concentrates on market strategy and product vision, whereas the Product Owner handles day-to-day backlog management and sprint execution within Agile teams.

Are upstream product managers still in demand?

Upstream product managers are still in demand as companies focus on developing new products and innovations, especially in technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. They require strong skills in market research, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning, with experience in tools like Agile and product lifecycle management. The role remains vital for driving product development from concept to launch.

What are common upstream product manager jobs?

Common upstream product manager jobs involve overseeing the development and strategy of new products or features early in the product lifecycle, often working closely with engineering, research, and design teams. They focus on market analysis, defining product requirements, and prioritizing features, utilizing tools like roadmaps and product backlogs. These roles typically require strong communication skills, technical understanding, and experience with product management methodologies.
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Upstream Product Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Upstream Product Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,405 per year, or $76.6 per hour.

Upstream Product Manager

Remote

Medisca
See more jobs at Mediscaexternal

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Medisca is a global company leveraging strong partnerships to serve healthcare professionals across diverse wellness disciplines. Offering extensive and essential solutions - including pharmaceutical ingredients and service, mixing technology manufacturing, analytical testing, and education - Medisca is bridging the gaps in healthcare with an unwavering commitment to precision, innovation, and societal impact.
The Upstream Product Manager is responsible for driving the front end of product innovation and strategy, translating market needs into actionable product opportunities and line extensions. This role leads the development of long-term product roadmaps, performs in-depth market and competitive analysis, and partners with cross-functional teams-including R&D, Engineering, Sales, and Marketing-to define requirements for new product development and extensions of existing lines. Acting as the voice of the customer during early-stage product planning. The Upstream Product Manager ensures that product concepts are both market-driven and commercially viable. They manage the entire lifecycle of new product introductions up to launch readiness, owning key deliverables such as business cases, pricing targets, and go-to-market inputs. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on, playing a critical role in identifying white space opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring a steady pipeline of innovation and product evolution that aligns with company goals.
The opportunity:
Product Strategy & Road mapping
  • Owns the 5-year new product roadmap for the portfolio.
  • Develop and manage product roadmaps, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer requirements.
  • Evaluate and prioritize new product opportunities, ensuring feasibility and alignment with Medisca's strategic objectives.
  • Lead the development and ownership of key strategic planning documents for the portfolio, including the Product Charter, Opportunity
  • Assessment, and Business Case, to define the product's vision, evaluate market potential, and justify investment decisions.
  • Reviews potential expiring patents for early entrance into the market as a competitor.
  • Complete internal documentation and works with the patent attorney for any innovative ideas that can be patented.
  • Monitor and assess product portfolio for gaps, identifying areas for improvement and driving innovation.
  • Perform market sizing, segmentation, and white space analysis to guide new product development.

Customer & Market Insight (VOC)
  • Analyze product data, voice of customer (VOC) information and market trends to identify and generate new business opportunities, define product requirements, and assess market development opportunities.
  • Engage with customers and industry experts to gather insights and feedback for continuous product improvement.
  • Participate in sales calls and visit customers when needed to gather feedback for new product additions.
  • Identify and attend tradeshows that will help drive innovation, meet new potential partners, and understand industry trends.

Product Development & Requirements
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales, to define product requirements and drive product development.
  • Own the creation and maintenance of the Marketing Requirements Document (MRD) by gathering and consolidating input from cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., sales, regulatory, engineering, marketing, and R&D). This document defines the customer and market needs, product use cases, target user profiles, and required features, and serves as a foundation for guiding the product design and development process.
  • Collaborates and owns the traceability matrix of customer requirements to design specifications with engineering or manufacturer.
  • Provides pricing target for new products entering the portfolio.
  • Ensure regulatory requirements and design inputs are captured early in product planning.

Project Management & Launch Readiness
  • Manages projects for new product additions until commercial launch, reporting on timelines and risks.
  • Responsible for keeping the project on track using Project management tools.
  • Prepare products for commercial launch and collaborate with downstream product manager for launch execution.
  • Train salespeople on the launch of new products.
  • Serve as the SME for launching new products and integrating them into the portfolio.
  • Define key launch metrics and success criteria for new product introductions.

Strategic Partnerships
  • Works with the Procurement team to find ideal partners for new product additions.
  • Review and evaluate the industry and suggests potential strategic partners.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree is a strong asset)
  • Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in upstream product management, product development, or strategic market analysis
  • Proven ability to lead opportunity assessments, market sizing, and development of product roadmaps
  • Strong experience with voice-of-customer (VOC) research, competitive analysis, and product requirements gathering
  • Demonstrated success in building business cases, product charters, and supporting early-stage innovation
  • Solid understanding of the product development lifecycle, from concept through to commercial launch
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams including R&D, engineering, regulatory, legal, marketing, and procurement
  • Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies (e.g., Gantt charts, stage-gate processes)
  • Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Strong communication and presentation abilities, with experience influencing stakeholders and executive decision-makers
  • Knowledge of intellectual property and patent considerations is a plus
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and taking initiative in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment
  • Proven track record in leading projects and new product offerings from inception through development and successful completion

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
  • Work/Life Balance - PTO, vacation policy and paid statutory holidays
  • Invest in your health - Group Benefit plan and health savings account
  • Your Future is Bright - Opportunities to learn and grow within Medisca
  • Save for your Future - Medisca contributes to a 401k plan when you invest in the plan
  • Help us grow - Employee Referral Program
  • We like to have fun - company events throughout the year

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
#LI-Remote
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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