Program Manager, Decorative Hardware
Summary Description:
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The Decorative Hardware Product Manager is responsible for driving the strategy, development, and lifecycle management of ASSA ABLOY’s decorative hardware portfolio — one of the fastest-growing and most design-forward categories within the Access and Door Controls Group. This role blends creativity and technical acumen, requiring a leader who is equally comfortable in the factory, the design studio, and the field. The Product Manager will own the roadmap for decorative hardware across multiple brands, shaping products that elevate architectural aesthetics while maintaining ASSA ABLOY’s standards for performance, quality, and security. Success in this role demands strong cross-functional collaboration with operations, engineering, marketing, and sales, as well as an appreciation for commercial interiors and the built environment. |
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Product Strategy & Lifecycle Management
- Own the end-to-end product lifecycle — from concept through launch, sustaining, and phase-out — for the decorative hardware portfolio.
- Develop and maintain product roadmaps aligned with ASSA ABLOY’s strategic priorities for innovation, sustainability, and market leadership.
- Conduct Voice of Customer (VOC) research, competitive benchmarking, and market analysis to inform product direction and identify new opportunities.
- Collaborate with internal product and brand teams to define product positioning, pricing strategy, and channel differentiation.
- Identify design trends and influences from architects, interior designers, and end users to ensure the portfolio reflects current and emerging commercial design aesthetics.
2. New Product Development (NPD)
- Lead cross-functional new product development teams through the Stage-Gate process, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
- Translate market needs into actionable product requirements and technical specifications.
- Partner with design and engineering teams to evaluate and refine product concepts for manufacturability, cost efficiency, and brand alignment.
- Oversee decorative finish expansion programs and custom solutions for key accounts.
3. Go-to-Market & Commercialization
- Partner with marketing teams to create compelling product launch campaigns, sales tools, and training content.
- Support the Door Security Solutions sales organization and specification teams in promoting decorative hardware within target verticals and distribution channels.
- Lead cross-enterprise decorative hardware initiatives to strengthen brand presence and accelerate adoption across North America.
- Collaborate with channel partners and customers to identify and execute joint marketing or promotional opportunities.
4. Business & Market Analysis
- Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and design influences to maintain a forward-looking perspective on market dynamics.
- Analyze sales, margin, and market share performance to guide data-driven portfolio decisions.
- Work closely with Pricing and Product Management peers to recommend and implement pricing actions that optimize profitability and market competitiveness.
- Develop business cases and financial models to support new product proposals and strategic investments.
Educational Requirements, Skills and Abilities:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Business, Industrial Design, or a related field, MBA preferred
- Experience: 3+ years of product management or large-scale project management experience, preferably in hardware, decorative products, or architectural/interior design-related categories.
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate market insights into actionable product plans.
- Proven success managing cross-functional teams and influencing without direct authority.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias toward action and innovation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with Microsoft Project or equivalent tools is a plus.
Location:
- Based in New Haven or Berlin, CT.
- Up to 35% travel to customers, channel partners, suppliers, and other ASSA ABLOY facilities.
We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.
As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.
As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.
New Haven, CT, US, 06511
Nearest Major Market: New Haven
Nearest Secondary Market: Hartford