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Product Manager - DS Brands

Direct Supply · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a product you managed through its full lifecycle, including a decision to retire or replace it.

What they are checking: Whether they have real lifecycle experience, including the harder end-of-life calls most people avoid.

Tell me about a time you led a cross-functional team that didn't report to you through a hard product launch.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead through influence across engineering, sourcing, and sales without formal authority.

Describe a time your strategy didn't work. How did you recognize it and what did you change?

What they are checking: Whether they can admit a miss, learn from it, and adjust without losing credibility.

How do you keep long-term vision in mind while hitting this year's revenue and margin targets?

What they are checking: Whether they think strategically about future trends without losing focus on near-term results.

What would you do

How would you decide whether an IoT feature is worth adding to a piece of senior living furniture?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh real customer value and cost against tech for its own sake.

How would you compete with a national brand in the clinical category when customers trust the brand name?

What they are checking: Whether they can find a credible value story for private label beyond just being cheaper.

Your Category Manager and the sales team disagree on whether to launch a lower-cost version of a product. How do you help decide?

What they are checking: Whether they bring facts and customer insight to a disagreement and help reach a clear decision.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd build a roadmap for a private label category like rehab or DME.

What they are checking: Whether they can tie customer needs, competition, and margin goals into a sequenced plan with clear tradeoffs.

How do manufacturing and distribution costs shape your decisions on a private label product?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that private label margin depends on sourcing and logistics, not just pricing.

What data would you look at to decide which of the six categories deserves the most investment next year?

What they are checking: Whether they can use market size, margin, growth, and competitive gaps to prioritize investment.

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The full job description

As published by Direct Supply.

Position Summary: Direct Supply is building the future of healthcare technology with industry-leading products, solutions and platforms to help improve the lives of millions of seniors and those who care for them. In the Product Manager – DS Brands position, you’ll partner with the Category Manager to define the vision and roadmap for Direct Supply Manufacturing’s private label product categories—including furniture, DME, rehab, clinical, building maintenance, and foodservice. You’ll lead the development of innovative, technology-enabled solutions, including IoT-driven products, that deliver meaningful customer value. Managing the full product lifecycle, you’ll apply expertise in competitive analysis, manufacturing, and distribution to drive revenue and margin growth. This role relies on your ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence strategy, and apply both analytical and technical skills to achieve measurable business outcomes. Skills Needed: • Thinks Strategically - Anticipates future trends and aligns actions with long-term objectives. Draws on broad knowledge to craft future-focused plans that effectively translate strategy into action. • Provides Customer Value - Delivers cutting-edge, tech-driven solutions paired with outrageous customer service with an eye to profitability. Seizes opportunities that reward both the customer and DS, fostering robust customer relationships. • Applies AI and Technology - Identifies opportunities to boost efficiency and add value using AI and tech. Embraces and applies digital innovations and tech solutions to build business. Eagerly learns and integrates new technologies where they matter most. • Communicates Effectively - Develops and delivers impactful communications for diverse audiences across channels. Excels in both small and large group interactions. Captures attention, actively listens, and guides discussions towards targeted goals. • Navigates Organizational Dynamics - Knows how to maneuver through both formal channels and informal networks. Influences Partners and leaders to gain buy in and drive results. Understands our DS norms and the reasoning behind them. • Executes with focus by balancing strategic thinking with disciplined project management to ensure priorities are met efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with business goals. What You’ll Do and Impact: • Lead the development of new business and product opportunities to expand the offerings and services within your assigned product category • Analyze sales performance, market research, industry trends, and competitive activity to inform pricing, product strategy, and innovation roadmaps • Build deep understanding of customer needs and purchasing behaviors through customer advisory boards, site visits, and sales collaboration • Guide cross-functional teams through the product lifecycle, including requirements gathering, proof-of-concept development, pilot testing, and market launch • Establish and manage product roadmaps, driving the successful launch of new products and enhancements • Leverage AI and data analytics to inform portfolio planning, accelerate solution development, and proactively monitor market shifts • Collaborate with Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and Engineering to align go-to-market execution with differentiated value propositions and business goals Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering or related field • 5+ years of experience in Product Management, Technology Development, or Product Engineering, managing related products and offerings • Experience leading connected/IoT product initiatives. • Experience using AI in improving products, processes or marketing • Experience working with sales teams, achieving alignment and delivering meaningful programs and tools to manage and grow business • Ability to travel by car and/or plane up to 15% • Valid, unexpired driver's license with satisfactory driving record Additional Items of Interest: • MBA or advanced degree preferred • Working knowledge of product management from a manufacturing and distribution perspective • Knowledge of the Senior Living industry (corporations and industry issues) • Demonstrated ability to spot trends in the market and create a plan to respond • Experience in managing group dynamics efficiently and effectively • Knowledge and experience with go-to-market strategies Job to be performed in the location listed. Generous benefit package available. © 2013 to 2026 Direct Supply, Inc. All rights reserved.

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