PRODUCT MANAGER - SPEC OPS TOOLS
Spec Ops Tools – a division of Goods iQ · North Kingstown, RI · Hybrid · Full-Time
$75,000 – $105,000 DOE · Mon–Thu In-Office / Fri Remote
⚠ Important: This is a physical consumer products and durable goods role focused on hand tool product development, product line management, and product marketing. This is not a software, SaaS, IT, or technology product management position. Candidates from software or IT product backgrounds are not a fit for this role. AI-assisted or automated applications will not be considered.
ABOUT SPEC OPS TOOLS
Spec Ops Tools is dedicated to setting a new standard of performance and service by creating rugged and reliable professional-grade hand tools that ignite the passion of elite tradespeople and craftspeople. Our unwavering commitment extends to serving our nation’s heroes — with every product sold, we provide direct financial support to veterans and first responders through our partnerships with the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Green Beret Foundation, and the Navy SEAL Foundation.
We seek exceptional individuals who are not afraid to challenge conventions, tackle significant obstacles, and embody our culture of passion, innovation, service, and commitment. Our focus is on delivering the ultimate customer experience, building profound brand loyalty, and driving sustainable long-term growth. We want the best-of-the-best — those who want to help build a disruptive professional tool brand into a category leader.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Product Manager owns the full P&L for assigned Spec Ops Tools product lines and leads the end-to-end lifecycle of those products — from strategic planning and product development through retail sell-in, launch execution, and in-market performance management. This is a senior individual contributor role with significant ownership and accountability.
You will set the product strategy for your categories, lead cross-functional development teams, build and present commercial plans to major national retailers, and drive the financial performance of your assigned lines. The ideal candidate brings a minimum of 3 years of direct experience in consumer product management, product marketing, or product engineering within physical goods, durable goods, hardware, or related industries.
This role reports to the SBU leader and works closely with the Associate Product Managers, Field Sales, Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, and key retail partners.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
P&L Ownership & Business Performance
- Owns the full profit and loss for all assigned product lines, including revenue, gross margin, product cost, and category profitability targets.
- Develops and manages the annual operating plan for assigned categories, including sales forecasts, margin targets, and investment prioritization.
- Drives ongoing cost reduction, margin improvement, and portfolio rationalization initiatives to strengthen category profitability.
Product Strategy & Roadmap
- Leads the development of a comprehensive 3-year product roadmap for assigned hand tool categories, grounded in market analysis, competitive intelligence, consumer insights, and retailer input.
- Conducts thorough situational assessments, portfolio reviews, and competitive benchmarking to define strategic priorities and identify white space opportunities.
- Sets the product vision for assigned lines and builds organizational alignment around the roadmap and go-to-market strategy.
Product Development & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Leads cross-functional agile development teams — including R&D, engineering, sourcing, supply chain, marketing, legal, and sales — through the full product development lifecycle from concept to commercialization.
- Partners with international engineering and manufacturing teams on product design, tooling, production readiness, and quality assurance.
- Manages product development timelines, stage-gate reviews, and critical path milestones to ensure on-time, on-cost product launches.
Market Research & Consumer Insights
- Designs and leads comprehensive end-user research programs to develop deep category expertise and a nuanced understanding of professional tradespeople’s needs, pain points, and usage behaviors.
- Translates consumer insights and market data into actionable product requirements, positioning decisions, and commercial strategies.
- Maintains continuous awareness of competitive dynamics, emerging category trends, and retail landscape shifts that could affect the assigned product lines.
Retail & Commercial Execution
- Develops and presents strategic product and commercial plans to major retail partners including Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and other hardware, home center, industrial, and eCommerce distributors.
- Collaborates with the field sales team to drive product placement, promotional programming, and category performance at key accounts.
- Leads pricing strategy for assigned lines, balancing market competitiveness with target margin achievement.
- Leads the development and execution of promotional programs across key retail channels and customers, including promotional design, merchandising concepts, pricing strategy, and digital and in-store advertising.
- Leads planning, logistics, and on-site execution of trade shows and industry events, including booth staffing, channel partner engagement, and product presentation to drive brand awareness and commercial relationships with key accounts.
Product Marketing & Launch
- Leads the development of world-class marketing and sales content for new product launches, including packaging, product imagery, video, merchandising, and digital assets.
- Partners with the marketing team to develop integrated launch plans spanning retail, eCommerce, digital, and PR channels.
- Owns post-launch performance monitoring, including sell-through, returns, and customer feedback, and drives corrective action when needed.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Proven ability to own and manage a product P&L with direct accountability for revenue, margin, and growth.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate market dynamics, consumer insights, and business objectives into a clear, executable product vision.
- Experienced cross-functional leader capable of driving alignment and results across R&D, sales, marketing, supply chain, and finance.
- Strong financial acumen; comfortable analyzing and presenting financial data to executive leadership and key retail partners.
- Deep understanding of physical product development processes, global sourcing, and manufacturing.
- World-class communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Bias for action, accountability, and a “roll up your sleeves” ownership mentality.
- Passion for tools, the trades, and Spec Ops Tools’ mission to support veterans and first responders.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Engineering, or related field required. MBA is a strong plus.
- Minimum 3 years of direct experience in consumer product management, product marketing, or product engineering in physical/durable goods. Experience in hand tools, hardware, sporting goods, or related categories strongly preferred.
- This role requires hands-on experience with physical consumer or durable goods — not software, apps, or digital products. Candidates without tangible goods product experience will not be considered.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully launching new products and managing product lines in a major retail environment (home center, hardware, mass, or club channels preferred).
- Experience working with international suppliers and manufacturing partners.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.
- Ability to communicate with international engineering and manufacturing partners during non-standard hours as needed.
- Military experience a strong plus.
WHY SPEC OPS TOOLS
The Opportunity
This isn't a role where you inherit a playbook and execute someone else's vision. You'll help write it. Spec Ops Tools is a young, fast-moving brand competing against giants and winning on grit, product quality, and a mission that actually means something. You'll have real ownership, executive access, and the runway to do the best work of your career while helping build something worth being proud of.
Compensation and Benefits
· Base salary: $75,000 to $105,000 (commensurate with experience)
· Performance bonus eligibility
· 401(k) with company match
· Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
· Generous PTO and parental leave
· Real advancement opportunities — we promote the builders
The Culture
We don't just talk about culture — we protect it. Spec Ops Tools runs on freedom, honesty, and a shared obsession with excellence. We hire owners, not order-takers: people who push boundaries, speak candidly, hold themselves to a higher standard, and then celebrate the wins together.
That standard extends beyond the workplace. Every person on this team understands that what we build here funds real support for veterans and first responders through our foundation partnerships. That's not a marketing line. It's why we show up.
Expect flexible schedules, a casual dress code, team events that actually don't feel forced, and leadership that keeps its door open and its ego in check.
The Workspace
Our Quonset Business Park headquarters in North Kingstown, RI is a modern, thoughtfully designed space built for the way creative teams actually work.
· Comfortable lounges and collaboration breakout areas
· Adjustable sit-stand desks throughout
· Fully stocked gourmet kitchen and yes, beer on tap
· Outdoor quad steps from a scenic bike path that ends at the beach
Job Details
· Role: Product Manager
· Type: Full-Time
· Location: North Kingstown, RI 02852
· Work arrangement: Hybrid — Monday through Thursday in office, Friday remote
· Schedule: Monday through Friday
· Compensation: $75,000 to $105,000 (commensurate with experience)
Spec Ops Tools, a Goods iQ company, is an equal opportunity employer.
Spec Ops Tools and Goods iQ participates in e-Verify as required by law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- product development and product marketing: 3 years (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in North Kingstown, RI 02852
